Ja’Darien Boykin Signs With Louisville Football

Update: Boykin was just announced with the 2020 class after sitting out last season.

JA’DARIEN BOYKIN - DEFENSIVE END

247 Composite: 4*/.8977

247: 3*/89

ESPN: 4*/83

Rivals: 3*/5.6

Other Offers: Miami, Virginia, Maryland, Georgia Tech

Highlights:

Evaluation: In my opinion, Ja’Darien Boykin is the example of what this new staff will look for in a player. Boykin is an extremely high energy player that explodes off the ball and gets after it on every play. He also has great athletic ability which is why he is regarded highly by the recruiting services. He can run down plays from the backside and has the quickness needed to beat linemen as a pass rusher. He doesn’t have prototype size at 6-2/235 but he is long enough to be able to play defensive end and he’ll be able to put on weight to get to 245 or so. That’s the size this staff wants their defensive linemen to be and he plays with the fire they love.

Summary: Ja’Darien Boykin was one of the first targets for this Louisville football staff and he was a big one. Bryan Brown and Mark Ivey made him a priority and they were able to hold off Miami and land their first composite four star. The previuos staff didn’t land a four star until year two, so getting Boykin in this class is a good sign for the recruiting abilities of the new hires.