The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

TOREE Boyd didn’t hear his name called during the three days of the NFL Draft, but the Bahamian native didn’t have to wait very long after to learn of his new opportunity to make an NFL roster.

Boyd was one of 21 players who agreed to terms as an undrafted college free agent by the defending NFC Champions Atlanta Falcons following last week’s draft.

Undrafted players made up approximately 30 per cent of NFL rosters last season.

The Falcons roster now stands at the 90 needed headed into training camp.

Following his stellar senior season with the Howard Bison, Cooper garnered the attention of several NFL teams following his standout collegiate career and his performance at the Tropical Bowl.

Boyd was born in Nassau, but was raised in Miami where he began playing football at the age of five and eventually played collegiately with the Bison.

The 6-4, 315-pound senior has been the mainstay on the Bison’s offensive line for the past four years and started a school record 46 straight games, eclipsing the old mark of 44 held by former Howard standout, Tracy White. He was a second team All-Mid Eastern Athletic Conference selection for two consecutive seasons and was the team captain for three years.

“My strengths are my pass blocking, aggressiveness to finish blocks and athleticism to play all five positions. I’m trying to improve on my run blocking and sustaining blocks downfield more,” he said in a pre-draft interview with NFL Draft Blitz. “An organisation that gives me a shot, they will not regret it.”

As a junior, he was Howard’s offensive player of the year and received the MEAC weekly honour three times.

According to Boyd, fans should expect an exciting and bright year for the Bison.

Prior to his senior season, Boyd said his motivation behind his path to the NFL is fulfilling a dream to take care of his mother, Enid Boyd.

“My motivation or, as I can say, the reason why I do it is because I want better for my mom and siblings,” Boyd said. “I want to make sure my mom never has to work again, so I stay motivated everyday to achieve my dream goal.”