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CLEMSON — First-year Clemson quarterbacks coach Tajh Boyd believes the expectations attached to playing quarterback at Clemson remain as high as ever.
Speaking during a preseason interview on WCCP, Boyd said the position carries a unique responsibility because of the tradition that's been established over the years.
"It means something to play quarterback here," Boyd said. "Playing quarterback here is special."
Boyd described the Clemson quarterback position as something players aspire to because of both the program's history and the expectations that accompany it.
"You can go to restaurants and get a lot of different things," Boyd said. "But then there's that one thing on the menu that you know that you want for sure if you have what it takes to go get it. That's what it costs to play quarterback here."
He said the players understand that football, and particularly quarterback play, matters at Clemson.
"We watch tape, and when we are watching film on the opponents, and you see half-full stadiums," Boyd said. "You're thankful for what you get here. Football matters here. Quarterback at Clemson matters."
Boyd praised his quarterbacks for the work they put in during spring practice but emphasized that the most important development occurs when coaches aren't around.
"The spring is what's required," Boyd said. "The real growth happens when we're not with them. That's where the next step's taken."
As both a former Clemson quarterback and now the position coach, Boyd said he remembers that period between spring practice and fall camp being where players make the biggest leap.
"We've got somewhere we want to go," he said. "It happens in that space and time in between what we did in the spring and where we're going before fall camp."
Boyd spent considerable time discussing Christopher Vizzina and what it has meant for the junior quarterback to remain at Clemson despite waiting behind veteran Cade Klubnik.
"It's a credit to him and his family," Boyd said.
He pushed back against the idea that sitting and waiting is easy in today's college football landscape.
"It wasn't easy for him," Boyd said. "You want to play because that's the competitor in all of us."
Instead of entering the transfer portal, Boyd believes Vizzina stayed because he valued what Clemson offers.
"If this was just any place, he would have just packed up and left," Boyd said.
Boyd credited both Clemson's culture and the relationships inside the program.
"We care about these guys beyond just the level of play they have out there on the field," he said.
Ultimately, Boyd said Vizzina made the decision to stay because he wanted to become Clemson's quarterback.
"He knew he wanted to play quarterback here," Boyd said. "He wanted to be the guy here, and he gave himself the opportunity to do that by staying."
Boyd also discussed working alongside offensive coordinator Chad Morris again, calling the reunion both personal and professional.
"I was excited, and really excited for him," Boyd said.
Boyd believes Morris returned to Clemson at the right point in his career after experiencing both successes and setbacks.
"Sometimes you need to know who you are when things are worst," Boyd said. "To see him stand back up one more time tells me everything I need to know about the guy."
He compared reconnecting with Morris to seeing a family member after years apart.
"You pick up right where you used to," Boyd said. "But then you've got to take into account time and who that person became along the way."
Boyd said Morris immediately captured the attention of Clemson's offensive players.
"He grabbed their attention within the first two days," Boyd said. "That's all you need to know about Chad Morris."
"I told the quarterbacks in spring. I said, 'Boys, we are in it together. You know what I mean? You are getting chewed up, I am too, you just can't hear it on this side of the headset,”' Boyd joked of Morris’ passion for the position.
Although Boyd acknowledged his coaching role has changed, he said his purpose remains the same.
"My sole job is to get out whatever they’ve got in them."
He added that being directly responsible for the quarterbacks has created greater ownership.
"When something goes wrong, that thing is attached to me. When something goes right, that thing is attached to me."
Ultimately, Boyd said his focus extends beyond football.
"I just want to be invited to the wedding. I want you to become who your parents think you will be," he said. "I want you to become the best player you think you possibly can be."
Boyd said the entire offense has embraced that mentality entering fall camp.
"We've got that from all ends of this roster right now," Boyd said. "I'm excited about Chad being back here. I'm excited because of the fire that's been lit underneath him."
