Packers Talk Radio Network continues its player profile series for our sponsor Mayfield Sports Marketing with a look at WR Jarrett Boykin.
Jarrett Boykin, Jr. was born November 4, 1989 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Jarrett’s life got off to a rough beginning as his father passed away when he was only a baby. This was the first obstacle Jarrett would face in life, the first of many he would face on the way to the NFL. Yet he never quit on his dream.
Boykin would go on to attend Butler High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. As a Junior, there was evidence of just what type of threat Boykin would be on the football field with 476 receiving yards. He would catch 60 passes for 1,252 yards (20.9 avg.) and 17 TDs as a senior. Boykin also added 276 rushing yards and eight TDs on the ground on his way to being named a first-team all-state selection by The Associated Press. He would continue his rising football career after high school becoming a member of the Virginia Tech Hokies.
A four year letterman at Virginia Tech, Boykin finished his career as the school’s all-time leader in receptions (184) and receiving yards (2,884), starting 45 of the 54 games he played in. Despite this record setting college career, Boykin would go undrafted in the NFL Draft following his senior season. Facing yet another obstacle in his life, Boykin chose to continue to fight for his football career rather than entering the working world with his degree in apparel, housing and resource management.
Obstacles continued to follow Boykin as he persued his NFL dream. Signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars on May 4,2012 as an undrafted free agent, he was cut a mere four days later. Despite this short stint with the Jaguars, one which could have crushed his dream, this turned out to be the best thing to ever happen for Boykin’s career. After attending the Packers rookie orientation camp on a tryout basis, Boykin was signed by the Packers, and hasn’t looked back since.
An outstanding 2012 training camp during which he lead the Packers in receptions (13) and receiving yards (166) guaranteed him a roster spot to start the season. This did not equate to much success during the regular season as Boykin finished with a mere five receptions for 27 yards. Yet this undrafted rookie stayed on the team the entire 2012 season, indicating there was something about him that the rest of the league had failed to see and the Packers had seen.
The rest of the league was about to find out that passing on Boykin proved to be a mistake. A big mistake.
2013 would be Boykin’s breakout campaign. Starting eight games, he would finish the season with 49 receptions, 681 yards and 3 touchdowns despite sitting at number four on the depth chart. This production explosion would make veteran WR James Jones expendable during the off season, and Boykin’s ascendance up the depth chart continued. He is now firmly secured as the Packers number three wide receiver, and rising with a bullet.
When Boykin is not catching touchdowns, he enjoys drawing, fishing and playing basketball. He has also participated in the “Relay For Life” at Virginia Tech to benefit the American Cancer Society.
***Jarrett Boykin will be appearing at Will’s Northwoods Inn this Sunday, April 27 during their annual PackerPalooza. It is a great time for Packers fans. If you are in Chicago please stop by and check it out. ***
If you would like to book Jarrett Boykin to attend your next business function, please click this link and fill out the attached form.
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John Rehor is a writer at PackersTalk.com.
He can also be heard as one of the Co-Hosts of Cheesehead Radio. ---------------------
