TBR Interview---Wil Boyd

What a way to start our first player interview this year with one of the best players in the state. Wil Boyd, Hickory High School centerfielder, State Games participant is an example of what Andy Partin calls a "dirtbag". Wil is a hard working, no nonsense type of player that will beat you with the bat or glove. The highest compliment I can pay a player is to call him a "gamer"...and Wil Boyd is a gamer. I was able to track Wil down between Charleston and Clemson to ask him a few questions:

Congratulations on your commitment to Clemson. Tell us about it?

Clemson was my first choice of colleges to attend. On July 1, Clemson was the first school to call, calling at 8:00 am in the morning while I was in Orlando. I also received calls from 16 other schools that same day. After playing in the Clemson wood bat tournament in early July, Coach O’Sullivan called and made an offer. I chose Clemson over several other ACC, SEC and SOCON schools for the simple fact that Clemson is where I wanted to attend college and play baseball.

I learned about the Clemson traditions early. My Mom and Dad took my sister and me to Clemson games from the time that we were babies. Watching Clemson beat Florida State in football last year and watching Clemson play the Gamecocks on the diamond is pretty exciting.

I was also impressed by the words of congratulation and best wishes from coaches of several other colleges, who were high on my list, once I made them aware of my decision. There are a number of great coaches that I met during the recruiting process.

What are your thoughts on the college recruiting process?

The recruiting process is pretty fun, coming home each day and checking the mail for new letters from college recruiters. It’s fun hearing from all the school. It’s also interesting to see who is sincerely interested and who is not. It was kind of weird after committing, not getting any letters or calls. However, it is nice to have it all done and know that I’m going to be a TIGER.

You have played on some great teams growing up, Catawba Valley Storm to the SC Diamond Devils. What are some of your memories from those teams?

I have played on two great teams. The first team was the AAU 12U Charlotte Royals with Drew Martin, Cameron Maybin, Ryan Hinson, Joe Cox, and Michael Bogart. We went 38-2 and won the NC AAU championship. The best team that I have played with was this past summer’s 18U Diamond Devils team based in Charleston, SC. From top to bottom, the team was loaded with D1 athletes and a stacked pitching staff. Some of the best memories from last summer include winning the Perfect Game East Cobb 18U National Championship and then winning the 18U CABA World Series the next week. It will be hard to top those memories.

Your Diamond Devils won the Perfect Games World Championship in Atlanta this summer. A tournament featuring 82 of the best teams across America. Tell us about your experience there.

Winning the Perfect Game tournament at East Cobb was totally unexpected. Going into the tournament, we just wanted to play well and get as far as possible. Over the week we got on a hot streak and never lost a game. Our entire line up was hitting the ball and we got great pitching. In the championship round we had the whole pitching staff ready and got great pitching, timely hitting and great defense. We were not really challenged until the semifinal game against the Midland Redskins ( currently ranked #1 in the nation). That win was a huge win and confidence booster. After the win over Midland, our whole team knew we were going to win the championship game. It was a great experience becoming Perfect Game National Champions. Very few players get to wear the Perfect Game National Champions ring.

What do you say to a young player that wants to be 'like Wil"?

I don’t really know what to say to people who want to be “like Wil.” I think that everyone should be his own player; you can’t base your game on someone else’s game. You have to go out and play your own game. My advice to younger players is that if baseball is what you want to do, you have got to work at it and make baseball one of the priorities in your life. Practice, practice, practice, make good grades, and stay out of trouble.

Who influence you the most in baseball?

I have had several great coaches that have influenced me:

Coach David Craft at Hickory High - Coach Craft believed in my skills as a freshman and gave me the opportunity to start as a freshman. He has helped me tremendously throughout high school and during the recruiting process.

Coach John Rhodes of the Diamond Devils - Coach Rhodes taught me the fun in playing baseball as he guided the Diamond Devils to two National Championships.

Coach Marty Reed of the Dodgers AA team in Jacksonville and coach of the Carolina Sox fall team - Coach Reed helped me improve my mental approach to the game. Coach Reed also taught me how to respect the game and play the game with toughness. He helped me understand what I needed to do to take my game to the next level.

Best players that you have played with?

There are many great players that I have played with, but two players stand out - Brock Thornburg and Matt Weiters. I played with Brock on the Hickory legion team in 2003. Brock played an “in your face game” and always played extremely hard. I played with Matt this summer with the Diamond Devils. Matt is a dominating player with natural and effortless skills.

Favorite thing to do during your free time?

My favorite thing to do when I have time off is to hit wiffle ball batting practice in the front yard with my Dad.

Something most people would be surprised to know about you?

I’m not sure that anything would surprise people about me; I’m a pretty ordinary and down to earth kind of guy.

Favorite Food?

Favorite food is Firehouse Subs.

Favorite Movie?

Favorite movie is either Varsity Blues or The Rock.

What are your goals for this next year?

My goals for the year are to get better, have a successful high school team, and top everything I did last year.

It is so easy to admire a talented young man, but it's even more impressive to find out that the talented young man is equally a well mannered, caring individual. I'm not surprised, though. Congratulations to Gwen and Ronnie Boyd for raising such a fine son. I can't wait to watch him on TV sporting those orange and purple uniforms...actually, being a USC graduate, the colors may be hard for me to get used to, but watching Wil won't. What a great start for our first interview.

 

Having played against Wil since he was 12 years old (well ... not personally, my gray hairs kinda gave me away as being a bit over 12 .... along with having my wife/kids in tow), I can tell you that he's one of be best "gamers" I've ever seen in this state. Great young man too.

Way to go Wil. It's going to be fun watching you down at Clemson!!!!!!

Have a great fall and tear up the ball your senior season for Hickory !!!! (We're 4A, we don't mind :applause: :applause: )

 

Congratulations to Will !!!!

Unfortunately, (for me) I haven't had the opportunity to see Will play, but I've heard and read a great many good things about him. Besides, any HS player that can get recruited by a top 25 team the caliber of Clemson deserves to be congratulated. I'm sure Coach Leggett is getting a good one.

 

Say goodbye to the '05's

 

Braves,

Thanks for reprinting the Wil Boyd interview. I had the pleasure to meet Wil after the NWC/Hickory AAA Western finals and he is really a class act. He and his buddy Isaac Harrow are probably the best two hitters that the Trojans faced all year (along with Central Cabarrus' Ryan LaBoy). We all are looking forward to seeing Wil do his "dirtbag" thing for Clemson next year.
:229031_ha

 

He had an amazing year

 

These are fun to re-read. Wil just beat UNC with a walkoff hit in Saturday's contest