Latest news with #KhristianBoyd
USA Today
02-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
97 days until Saints' season opener: Every player to wear No. 97
97 days until Saints' season opener: Every player to wear No. 97 There are 97 days to go until the New Orleans Saints open up their 2025 season, so we're opening up the franchise history books to reflect on every player who has worn No. 97 for New Orleans. Right now it belongs to defensive tackle Khristian Boyd, who the Saints drafted in the sixth round out of Northern Iowa last year. It's a number with a mixed history. Some of the greatest defensive linemen in Saints history have worn it, like La'Roi Glover and Renaldo Turnbull, but so have major draft busts like Johnathan Sullivan. Before Boyd picked it up No. 97 was used by backup defensive tackle Malcolm Roach, one of several Saints players to join Sean Payton on the Denver Broncos in recent years. With 97 days to go until kickoff, here's a look back at each player to use No. 97 with the Saints (via Pro Football Reference): Khristian Boyd (2024-Present) Malcolm Roach (2020-2023) Mario Edwards (2019) Al-Quadin Muhammad (2017) Sam Barrington (2016) Glenn Foster (2013-2014) Jeff Charleston (2008-2011) Josh Cooper (2006-2007) Johnathan Sullivan (2003-2005) La'Roi Glover (1997-2001) Renaldo Turnbull (1990-1996) Jumpy Geathers (1984-1989)
USA Today
02-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Countdown to Kickoff: Khristian Boyd is the Saints Player of Day 97
Countdown to Kickoff: Khristian Boyd is the Saints Player of Day 97 Boyd could be a better fit in Brandon Staley's defense as he heads into Year 2. There are only 97 days remaining until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2025 regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. Wearing No. 97 for the Saints this year is second-year defensive tackle Khristian Boyd, a Round 6 draft choice by the Saints in the 2024 draft. Here's some background on Boyd, our Saints Player of the Day. Name (Age): Khristian Boyd (25) Khristian Boyd (25) Hometown: Blue Springs, Mo. Blue Springs, Mo. Position: Defensive tackle Defensive tackle Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 320 pounds 6-foot-3, 320 pounds Relative Athletic Score: 4.63 4.63 College: Northern Iowa Panthers Northern Iowa Panthers Drafted: Round 6, 199th overall in 2024 Round 6, 199th overall in 2024 NFL experience: 1 season 1 season 2025 salary cap hit: $1,004,707 Upon graduating Blue Springs High School in Missouri, Boyd would attend Northern Iowa University in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. He'd play in 49 games over his five seasons with the Panthers, redshirting in 2018 and Covid limiting his team to seven games in 2020. Over his collegiate career, Boyd collected 9 sacks and 24 tackles for loss. In 2022 he was 2nd Team all-conference, following that up with 1st Team all-conference honors in 2023 and a 3rd Team All-FCS selection. Boyd appeared in just six games for the Saints as a rookie, playing only 20% (74) of the team's defensive snaps. He totaled 3 tackles for a defense that ranked 30th overall and 31st against the run. He's expected to be on the roster bubble this offseason, but a change in defensive scheme may fit perfectly into his best skills. A natural nose tackle, Boyd may be a much better fit in new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley's 3-4 system. The Saints traded for Davon Godchaux this offseason, but the team only has Boyd and Godchaux as prototype nose tackles on the roster. Boyd plays with tremendous strength and good leverage, allowing him to stand his ground against double-team blocking and clog inside running lanes. Khristian Boyd isn't a lock to make the roster out of training camp. However, his outstanding power and potential abilities as a run defender make him a possible Year 2 breakout player for a Saints squad desperate to upgrade their run defense.
