Tajh Boyd, a 19-year-old freshman football player at Liberty University and a former standout lineman at Oscar Smith High in Chesapeake, has died, according to a release from Liberty.
“Tajh joined our Liberty Football family as recently as January and his impact on the program will be felt for years to come,” Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell and athletic director Ian McCaw said in a joint statement.
No cause of death was given.
Boyd, 6-feet-4 and 315 pounds, was rated the No. 7 recruit in Hampton Roads in the Class of 2023. He was also rated the No. 18 senior in the state by both ESPN and Rivals.com and helped the Tigers finish unbeaten in the Southeastern District and 9-2 overall last season.
Boyd was part of back-to-back state championship teams during his sophomore and junior seasons.
“Tajh’s impact went far beyond statistics and accolades,” Oscar Smith coach Chris Scott said Sunday. “Yes, he was a formidable force on the football field, but it was his infectious smile, his positive energy and his ability to uplift others that truly made him larger than life.”
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes, Tajh Boyd.
We thank God for bringing Tajh into our Liberty Athletics community and we will always remember him as a Flame. Tajh will be missed dearly.
🔗: https://t.co/2LSS6Uhe7d pic.twitter.com/ehQV0EZHtS
— Liberty Flames (@LibertyFlames) August 6, 2023
Boyd committed to play for the Flames before his senior season.
“When you come to the Mountain, you immediately become a part of the Liberty University family and something truly special,” Chadwell and McCaw said in the release. “We thank God for bringing Tajh into our Liberty Athletics community and we will always remember him as a Flame. Tajh will be missed dearly.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Tajh’s family, his teammates and friends, our football coaching staff as well as our entire athletics department and the greater Liberty University community. We grieve together as a family and will seek guidance, comfort and understanding from the Lord during these difficult times.”
Staff writer Larry Rubama contributed to this story.
