Johnny Manziel and Jadeveon Clowney have faced their share of scrutiny, but each is still expected to be a top-five selection in the 2014 NFL Draft.
How about a quarterback that is being talked about as both a potential second-round pick and undraftable? That is the wild spectrum of opinions about Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd.
Boyd is a remarkable athlete and has put up huge numbers in his career, but did so with the benefit of a talented receiving corps in a friendly spread offense.
So why not put him in a meeting room with Geno Smith, the equally polarizing quarterback of the New York Jets? As the New York Post notes, some observers are ready to throw in the towel on Smith after only one season, in which case Boyd could make sense as an early pick to be the team's quarterback of the future. And if the Jets are committed to Smith for the long haul, Boyd could in turn be a viable late-round option as a backup or developmental project.
"I would love playing for Rex," Boyd said, per the Post. "That's one of my favorite coaches. He's very charismatic, a little sarcastic sometimes, but I love it."
The two parties met for an hour Tuesday night, but Boyd and Ryan already know each other. Ryan's son, Seth, is a walk-on wide receiver for the Tigers, which has allowed Boyd to get to know the coach as more than the larger-than-life personality seen in the press.
"We've got a good relationship," Boyd said. "I've been a fan of him. He's been a fan of me for the past few years. Who knows what could happen in that situation? You've got to keep on pressing and grinding."
Follow Dan Greenspan on Twitter @DanGreenspan.
