Trevone Boykin could be on his way to a Heisman Trophy at TCU, but despite his prolific success as a college quarterback, he's likely on his way to a position change at the next level.
NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks -- a former scout in the NFL -- suggested that Monday in his weekly "Stock Report" feature, leaving open the question of which position might best suit him. We've seen quarterbacks transition to cornerback (Nick Marshall), running back (Denard Robinson) and wide receiver (Antwaan Randle El) in the NFL, but Brooks sees the latter possibility as the best potential fit for Boykin.
"I think with Boykin it could be a position he's previously played, either wide receiver or running back," Brooks said. "He and Braxton Miller are in the same category, kind of a hybrid. Most people will take those guys and make them receivers, just because the transition is easier. The transition to running back can be a little more challenging in terms of bulking up to run it between the tackles, and being a factor in pass protection. I see him as a guy who could play in the slot, but also be a gadget guy, and someone who can help on special teams."
Miller, of course, is getting an early start on that transition by playing wide receiver in his final college season. Boykin has no such luxury as the cornerstone of one of the most prolific offenses in college football. At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, he has more than enough size to play receiver and, according to Brooks, it's more of a natural move for quarterbacks in general.
"Quarterbacks usually have some of the best hands on the team, and when they move to receiver, they understand the passing game from the quarterback's perspective. I'm all about giving Trevone Boykin a chance to play (quarterback), but when I see him play, I see a guy that's more of an athlete than a quarterback, a guy who just makes plays," Brooks said. "A lot of it seems off the cuff, unscripted, impromptu (plays) where he runs around and throws it over the top of a defender's head. I don't know if he's a disciplined enough passer to make consistent reads through a progression and pick apart a defense on the strength of his arm."
Boykin is having a spectactular season at quarterback, averaging over 400 total yards per game on offense (360 passing, 48 rushing). He's thrown 19 touchdown passes to only three interceptions to lead the Horned Frogs to an unbeaten mark (5-0) nearly halfway through the season.
If he determines wide receiver is his future in the sport, he might be wise to take a cue from former Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall. As a two-year quarterback at Auburn, Marshall switched to cornerback at the Reese's Senior Bowl in January, caught the eye of Senior Bowl South coach Gus Bradley, and eventually was picked up by Bradley's Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent.
A senior himself, Boykin will no doubt be a target for Senior Bowl selection in December.
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