'Last Chance U' made a star out of running back Rakeem Boyd, who continued his rise at Arkansas. Can he take his career to new heights in Detroit?
The undrafted free agent has agreed to a deal with the Lions, the club announced Monday afternoon. Shortly thereafter, Boyd tweeted in reference to the teams that passed on him: "Swear ima make em pay.. been in this position before."
Boyd wound up on season three of Netflix's hit TV show 'Last Chance U' after academic issues cost him his spot at Texas A&M and forced him to transfer to Independence Community College in Kansas in 2017. He tore it up and earned a scholarship at Arkansas.
Then he tore it up some more. Boyd racked up 2,192 yards from scrimmage and averaged north of 6.0 yards per carry over his first two seasons for the Razorbacks. Injuries limited him to six games last season, but by then he had proven his ability.
"People know what I can do when healthy," Boyd told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ahead of the draft. "Y'all saw fall camp, stuff like that. Not to be cocky or anything, but I was a 1,000-yard back. The year before I almost hit 1,000 yards. I already showed that I had enough film that I could step up to that level."
Now the highest level awaits. Boyd will likely battle with seventh-round pick Jermar Jefferson for a spot in Detroit's backfield in 2021. D'Andre Swift will lead the way for the Lions, with Jamaal Williams and Kerryon Johnson backing him up.
One thing working in Boyd's favor? He's already got fellow Arkansas product Frank Ragnow pledging to pave him a few holes.
Boyd was one of 13 rookie free agents the Lions signed after the draft. They also added former Nebraska RB Dedrick Mills.
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