Boykin sidelined for Semper Fi
Miles Boykin was selected to play in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl on Jan. 4 in Carson, Calif., but an injury will keep the 6-foot-4, 215-pounder from New Lenox, Ill., on the sidelines.
Boykin suffered a hand injury during his team’s run to the state championship and has not yet fully recovered from the injury. The Irish commit will spend the week in Southern California but he will not play in the game.
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“It’s a huge honor,” Boykin said. “Unfortunately I won’t be able to compete in it but I’m excited to be out there.”
Boykin is one of six Notre Dame commitments on the Semper Fidelis roster and he’s looking forward to spending time with future teammates and the rest of the All-Americans.
He’s already developed friendships with several of the Irish prospects and the week in California should enhance that rapport.
“I talk to them a lot,” he said. “I probably know Micah (Dew-Treadway) the best out of all of them because he lives kind of close to my area in Bolingbrook. It will be a lot of fun.”
While Boykin won’t run any routes or catch any passes, he will prepare for game day with the rest of his West team all-stars. He also expects to enjoy every minute of the All-American experience.
“I just want to meet some of the guys down there and embrace the moment,” he said. “You only get to do it once. After this it’s all college stuff from now on. It’s just getting that one last experience of high school football and meeting up with some of the other Irish recruits down there.”
Boykin ended his high school career with a state championship.
He caught 65 passes for 1,035 yards and 19 touchdowns to lead Providence Catholic to the Illinois 7A title.
In a 31-28 win over Cary-Grove in the championship game Boykin hauled in three passes for 48 yards despite having a pin surgically placed in his finger to help the bone properly heal.
“I had surgery during the playoffs in our season,” he said. “I had dislocated it I think four times in a game so they put a pin in there. After the state championship game I got it taken out that Tuesday and I haven’t gotten my range of motion back yet.”
Boykin missed one week of the playoffs following surgery then played in the final two rounds.
The next time he steps onto a field he’ll do so wearing the blue and gold at Notre Dame.
“The coaches told me once I get there they expect me to compete,” he said. “I’m going to go out there and play as hard as I can. If I’m red shirted I’m red shirted and if I’m playing I’m playing. I definitely want to play but I can understand redshirting too.”
The four-star prospect is eager to be a part of the Irish offense.
“I love the offense,” he said. “They spread the ball out a lot. I think it’s very efficient when they’re not turning the ball over.”
Boykin expects Notre Dame’s coaching staff to make an in-home visit during the month of January.
