Pittsburgh wide receiver Tyler Boyd will forgo his final year of eligibility and enter his name in the 2016 NFL Draft, the school announced Friday. As a junior, the Clairton, Pennsylvania, hauled in an ACC-high 91 receptions.
“Tyler informed me he wants to pursue his dream to play in the NFL,” head coach Pat Narduzzi said in a statement. “Although I only coached him for a year, I will forever be a fan and supporter of Tyler and his family. I wish him the very best at the next level and know he will make an NFL team very happy.”
Boyd led the Panthers in receptions and yards in each of the last three seasons. This fall, he finished with 926 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games.
As a freshman in 2013, the 6-2, 200-pound wideout collected second-team All-ACC honors. In each of his next two seasons, he was named a member of the All-ACC first team.
CBS Sports projects Boyd as the fifth-best wide receiver prospect in the upcoming draft and a second-round pick. He would be Pitt’s first receiver drafted into the NFL since Devin Street was taken by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round in 2014.
Boyd is one of five ACC underclassmen who have publicly revealed plans to declare for the 2016 draft, joining Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson, Miami cornerback Artie Burns, Syracuse defensive end Ron Thompson and Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller.