UNLV’s Boyd a freshman All-American

UNLV wide receiver Devonte Boyd had a record-breaking season, and now he has a national honor to show for it.

He was named to the Freshman All-America Team by the Football Writers Association of America, which announced the squad Wednesday.

“I heard the news from Coach C (Cedric Cormier) and was happy because it’s a big accomplishment,” Boyd said. “It’s also kind of surreal because I’m used to just seeing other people get these kinds of honors. It only makes me want to work harder and build on my game because I know I can make a lot of improvement.”

Boyd, who went to Basic High School, caught 65 passes for 980 yards. The yardage figure topped all freshmen nationally in the regular season.

Both figures also broke the Rebels’ freshman records, set by Ryan Wolfe in 2006. He caught 55 passes for 911 yards, earning the FWAA freshman honor that season. UNLV offensive lineman Matt Murphy was named to the freshman team the following year.

This wasn’t the only honor Boyd received for his work this past season. He also was named Mountain West Freshman of the Year.

Previous coach Bobby Hauck recruited and signed Boyd. Hauck resigned after the season, and former Bishop Gorman High coach Tony Sanchez replaced him.

Sanchez kept Cormier, Boyd’s position coach, from the previous staff.

“The best news of all was finding out Coach C was still going to be our receivers coach,” Boyd said. “Coach Sanchez and the new staff are really fired up, and we all can’t wait to get started.”

Along with Boyd, the Mountain West was represented on the FWAA freshman team by Boise State first-year coach Bryan Harsin. The Broncos went 12-2, won the conference title and defeated Arizona 38-30 in the Fiesta Bowl, achieving a No. 16 final ranking.

Review-Journal reporter Mark Anderson serves on the Football Writers Association of America committee that selects the Freshman All-America Team. Contact him at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.