Now, picture yourself having the opportunity to attend your hometown university. Then, imagine yourself playing Division I football at that university. For freshman Jy’won Boyd, there’s no need to imagine – it’s his reality.
Boyd, also known as Wezzy, is a freshman wide receiver on this year’s team. He’s no stranger to the program as he played high school football just across the street at Charles Henderson High School, where the team played their home games in Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“It’s really a family name, my dad’s friends nicknamed me Jy’Weezy so I just took the Jy off and I spell it differently -- I spell it W-E-Z-Z-Y, I just wanted to be different with it,” Boyd said.
In high school, Boyd was a three-star athlete – ranking as the No. 44 player in the state of Alabama. Along the way, Boyd was given the opportunity to learn from former player turned influencer AJ Greene. The two bonded through an offseason 7-on-7 program Greene coached.
“He definitely helped me out a lot with exposure – it’s a blessing to have him come to a game and have people see what I can do,” Boyd said.
Greene visited two games to watch Boyd. Those performances gained the attention of several in-state programs. Troy was the first to offer a scholarship to the Charles Henderson product -- Boyd committed to Troy in the summer of 2023.
“At first, I told myself I’d never play here,” Boyd said. “As I got older and experienced what family and football is like, I told myself to give it a shot.”
Family is everything to the Troy native – it’s what shaped him. Everything he does is rooted in family.
Through the bond of family comes one of the most beautiful – the one between brother and sister.
“My sister is number one to me, so I have to make sure she’s straight – we never really had a father figure at home, so I had to make sure I played a big part in her life,” said Boyd. “[My family] didn’t really play a part in my decision, but they mean the most to me, so I wanted to stay close to home.”
For Boyd, family stretches outside of his bloodline. At Charles Henderson, he was adopted into a new family. A family bonded by a number – two.
“One of my best friends that I grew up with was wearing it when I first got to high school, and when he graduated, I told him I’d wear it,” said Boyd.
Like every player, Boyd inherits an honor when he steps on the field. Some do it through their name plate, but Boyd channels his through a beacon.
“I feel like I have superpowers – I can do anything in two,” said Boyd. “It’s like a number you wear for somebody else.
“Recently, one of my best friends passed away, and I remember him saying I look good in two, so I’m striving to get it back and put on for him.”
The football field has given Boyd a platform to display what his family means to him. Family has kept him grounded through tough times. “I’m keeping [my best friend] on top of everything – anything I go through that’s tough; I’m thinking about him, and I’m praying God gives me the strength so I can keep going for him,” said Boyd. “Everything I do is for him now.”