Homegrown Cowboy

By Jim Gazzolo

After high school, Reed Boyd had two options.

The Barbe product could either stay close to home and play where his dad did at McNeese or join the enemy at Louisiana-Lafayette.

“I really wanted to go away from home, even if it was just an hour away,” said Boyd. “I knew I would always return to live after school, but I wanted to get away for a bit.”

After living through the 2020 hurricanes and seeing his hometown destroyed, who could blame him?

However, despite hoping for a scholarship, both offered him only preferred walk-on status. And, with his dad in his ear, Boyd decided to stay home and play for the Cowboys.

“I’m really close to my dad, and he talked about McNeese, but I also thought my chances to play sooner were there,” Boyd said. “The coaches seemed much more interested in me.”

So he headed to camp, following in his father’s footsteps as a tight end for the Pokes. It’s a position his family knows well. His grandfather played tight end at LSU.

But Boyd’s journey over the last four seasons wasn’t easy. He arrived at McNeese and found himself sixth on the depth chart. That only made him work harder. 

Playing mostly on special teams, Boyd quickly worked his way up the depth chart.

“I think I was on every special team we had,” Boyd said. “Then my playing time continued to grow.”

He remembers playing at Florida for the first time and facing the Gators.

“It was great to find out how you stood up against those guys,” he said. “It was a tough year.”

The Cowboys went 0-11 that fall, winning only one game by forfeit. Yet Boyd stayed, worked hard, and became a leader despite his young age.

“Guys looked at me because I was a local kid and were talking about transferring,” Boyd said. “I have never been a part of anything like that. It was rough. 

“I was forced to become a leader quickly. I was young, but I had to be one of the guys to keep others working and get them to stay here.”

After working his way up to second string, Boyd earned that scholarship he desperately wanted in the spring of his freshman year. Since then, he has been a big part of the Cowboys' continued improvement, as they have gone 11-14 since that winless season.

Now the local kid wants to be known for helping bring back the old McNeese. He remembers what it was like.

“I was one of those kids who would be running on the hill with my friends during the games,” Boyd said. “This program was special, and beginning a part of its revival is something I’m proud of.”

As for playing a fifth season, the senior who is graduating a semester early in December isn’t sure.

“I’ll see how I feel at the end of this season,” Boyd said. “See how beat up my body is.”

Boyd’s story isn’t one of overall stardom or greatness. Rather, it’s more about perseverance, dedication, and loyalty.

It’s about a hometown kid who stayed close, made the most of his opportunities, 

And he did his part to rebuild the program his father once played in.