The biggest question surrounding the Clemson football program is whether Kyle Parker will continue as the Tigers starting quarterback or enter the major league baseball draft. There is a growing feeling that Parker may choose baseball. He's projected as no worse than a 2nd round pick. Even Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney says that he won't know who will be his starter until sometime in June. The Major League baseball draft is June 7.
With that in mind Clemson must be ready to start the 2010 football without Parker. In the event that Parker is gone, the quarterback most likely to be named the starter is RS-FR Tajh Boyd. Is Boyd ready to take over those duties?
When you think of Boyd the quickest way to provide an impression of his skill set is think of a younger version of Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor or a smaller version of Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor. Boyd at 6-2 210 lbs is a smaller than Pyror who is 6-6 230. Taylor is also 6-2. They all have the ability to run. They all have strong arms. They all were considered top 10 quarterbacks coming out of High School, and all have had their decision making abilities questioned.
Pryor has seemed to correct those issues, and Taylor's decision making is improving, but Boyd has yet to answer those questions. He was 8-25 for 132 yards in the spring game. During the spring Boyd still showed the tendency to throw into double and triple coverage, and admitted he was at times locking into receivers.
Clemson coaches are pleased with Pryor's progress, but he has a lot to learn. His raw talent is undeniable and he was known as a leader in High School, but he won't have a C.J. Spiller or Jacoby Ford to take the pressure off as Parker did on offense. Most of Clemson's returning offensive skill position players will be unproven.
His first two games would be against North Texas and Presbyterian so he would have a chance to get his feet wet before a road game at Auburn. Honestly I feel like if Parker returns the Tigers can contend for the ACC Atlantic. With Boyd he's just so young that I think there will be growing pains. Boyd is a hardworker with immense physical gifts. In time he will be a great Clemson quarterback, but in 2010 Kyle Parker still gives the Tigers the best chance to win games.
