Troy native Jywon Boyd is heading into his redshirt freshman season at Troy University and the highlight reel waiting to happen is focused on seeing his role on the team grow.

While this will be Boyd’s second season at Troy, it’s his first spring practices and head coach Gerad Parker likes what he’s seen from the 6-foot speedy receiver.

“He’s come so far and this offseason was huge for him,” Parker said. “We had to be careful with him in a couple of the offseason weeks to get him back to healthy. It’s going to be critical for him to have a healthy spring camp and then training for this summer.

“He’s right where he needs to be for a guy that’s one year out of high school and in his first spring season. We’re happy with how he’s been progressing.”

Watching Troy’s receivers, Boyd stands out with some of the jaw dropping catches he makes. He was routinely making those same catches in high school. At Charles Henderson High School, Boyd was a three-time All-State receiver, thrice named All-Messenger Player of the Year and was one of the top receiving recruits in the state.

Despite the campus of Troy University being quite literally right across the street from his high school, Boyd said he was lost once he started college.

“When I first got here I was like a shot sheep,” he flatly said. “I really didn’t know much and couldn’t really move how I wanted because I had to learn new movements and how to get in and out of routes. Now I, I feel like I’m untouchable honestly. I feel good. I’m getting better.”

Boyd said that the spring has been all about continuing to learn.

“Spring has been going pretty well,” he said. “I’m getting to learn new plays and also working on some of the stuff from last year. Just learning how to maneuver in a college offense more.” 

Boyd pointed to a number of Troy veterans as leaders and mentors for him, including defensive tackle Luis Medina, quarterbacks Goose Crowder and Matthew Caldwell and former receiver Devonte Ross. Senior receiver Peyton Higgins, though, has been a big help for the former CHHS star.

“I talk to (Higgins) all the time,” Boyd emphasized. “If I’m confused on something he always corrects me and I always ask him about the details and all the little things. He’ll tell me, ‘You know it, just be confident.’ He helps me, and everybody, a lot.” 

Boyd said that his goal heading into the 2025 season is to earn the trust of his coaches to see his role on the team increase.

“I want to come into a bigger role and get on the field this season,” he said. “I want to put that confidence in my coaches that they can trust me.” 

While Boyd is focused on his college career, he still keeps an eye on his high school alma-mater and is excited for the future.

“I love that Coach (Phillip) Jones got the coaching job,” Boyd said with a smile. “He’s been there for a long time, probably there when I was born, so I’m really glad about that. I’m ready to see what they’re going to do next year. I’m happy to see what the offense is going to look like.”