Tajh Boyd, a freshman offensive lineman for the Liberty University football team, died on Saturday, the school announced. He was 19.
A promising freshman offensive lineman, Boyd was part of back-to-back state championship teams in high school.
I tried my best to get some details about his death reason but unfortunately, it is not available anywhere. His family wants privacy in order to cope with such a difficult situation in their lives. Boyd would have turned 20 on Aug. 20.
Head coach Jamey Chadwell and athletic director Ian McCaw said in a joint statement
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes, Tajh Boyd. Tajh joined our Liberty Football family as recently as January and his impact on the program will be felt for years to come.
Boyd was a three-star recruit from Oscar F. Smith High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he helped the Tigers win two consecutive state championships in 2021 and 2022. Not many people know that Boyd was ranked at No. 18 senior in Virginia by ESPN. Even Rival’s official website also rated him the same.
He chose Liberty over offers from several other schools, including Maryland, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, and Duke. He planned to major in interdisciplinary studies and pursue a career as a computer science engineer after graduating from Liberty.
He also cited his mother as his inspiration, saying that she raised him by herself with no help and never gave up.
| Name | Tajh Boyd |
|---|---|
| Birth date | Aug. 20, 2003 |
| Death date | Aug. 5, 2023 |
| Age | 19 |
| Height | 6 feet 4 inches |
| Weight | 315 pounds |
| Position | Offensive lineman |
| High school | Oscar F. Smith High School (Chesapeake, VA) |
| College | Liberty University |
| Recruiting rank | Three-star prospect; No. 18 senior in Virginia by ESPN and Rivals.com |
| Offers | Bowling Green, Buffalo, Campbell, Duke, Jackson State, James Madison, Maine, Maryland, Morgan State, Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T, Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech |
| Major | Interdisciplinary studies |
| Career goal | Computer science engineer |
A tribute from his high school and conference
Boyd’s high school coach, Chris Scott, paid tribute to him in a statement to The Virginian-Pilot.
Tajh’s impact went far beyond statistics and accolades
Scott said.
Yes, he was a formidable force on the football field, but it was his infectious smile, his positive energy and his ability to uplift others that truly made him larger than life.
Scott also said that Boyd was known affectionately as “Big Baby” and that he will be greatly remembered and missed.
Conference USA, where Liberty will play starting this season, also expressed its condolences in a statement.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Liberty Football student-athlete Tajh Boyd
the conference said.
Our thoughts are with the Boyd family and Flames nation during this difficult time.
A loss for the Liberty football program
Boyd’s death came as a shock to the Liberty football program, which was preparing for its first season in Conference USA and under new head coach Chadwell.
They even said that they will join his family to grieve together. They will seek comfort, understanding, and guidance from God during these difficult times.
They also thanked God for bringing Boyd into their community and said that they will always remember him as a Flame.
“Tajh will be missed dearly,” they said.
FAQs
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Who was Tajh Boyd?
Tajh Boyd was a freshman offensive lineman for the Liberty University football team who died on Saturday at the age of 19.
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How did Tajh Boyd die?
The cause of death was not disclosed by the school or his family.
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What did Tajh Boyd accomplish in high school?
Boyd was a three-star recruit who helped Oscar F. Smith High School win two consecutive state championships in 2021 and 2022. He was also rated as the No. 18 senior in Virginia by ESPN and Rivals.com.
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Why did Tajh Boyd choose Liberty University?
Boyd chose Liberty over several other offers because of its impressive facilities, coaching staff, academics, atmosphere, and faith-driven curriculum.
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What did Tajh Boyd’s coaches and teammates say about him?
Boyd’s coaches and teammates praised him for his impact on the program, his infectious smile, his positive energy, and his ability to uplift others. They also said that he will be greatly remembered and missed.
