Swiss-army-knife safety who thrived as the connective tissue of Indiana's national championship defense — the kind of player coaches love and draft analysts overlook. Boykin's elite run defense instincts and reliable tackling in space translate to an immediate special teams contributor with upside as a versatile sub-package defender. At 5-10, 195 with a torn ACL just two years ago, the physical profile limits his draft ceiling, and the lack of combine testing leaves real questions about his timed speed and explosiveness at the next level. But if a team needs a smart, dependable safety who can rotate across all three safety spots and won't miss assignments, Boykin is exactly the kind of late-round find that ends up sticking on rosters for a decade.
- Elite-level run defense instincts — PFF's top-graded run-defending safety in all of FBS in 2025 with a 93.9 grade, a trait that has been consistently dominant dating back to 2023 (90.5 run defense grade at NC State)
- True three-position versatility: logged meaningful snaps at free safety, strong safety, nickelback, and even as an occasional blitzer — head coach called him 'our savior when someone goes down'
- High football IQ and anticipation, rooted in multi-sport background (basketball steals translated to route recognition and lane discipline in coverage)
- Reliable, assignment-sound tackler who excels in space — key trait for Indiana's aggressive defense that led the Big Ten in TFLs and sacks
- Proven performer in the biggest moments: led Indiana in tackles (7 + a sack) during the Rose Bowl against Alabama, made 4 tackles in the national championship game
- Undersized at 5-10, 195 lbs — lacks the frame to consistently match up against NFL tight ends or physical receivers in contested situations
- Torn ACL in December 2023 with an extended recovery that cost him all of 2024 — durability and long-term athletic ceiling are legitimate concerns for a 24-year-old prospect
- Not invited to the NFL Combine, with no verified athletic testing data — timed speed and explosiveness remain unknown quantities until Pro Day on April 1
- Coverage grade, while good in 2025 (86.7), was inconsistent across his career — 62.5 coverage grade at NC State in 2023 raises questions about whether the 2025 improvement was system-driven or a true developmental leap
Undersized, instinctive safety who wins with intelligence, versatility, and physicality against the run rather than elite athletic traits. Like Whitehead, Boykin profiles as a player who can fill multiple safety roles, contribute immediately on special teams, and develop into a viable starter in the right scheme despite not having the measurables to be a premium draft pick.