California four-star 2024 ATH Kobe Boykin showcasing skills with Miami-Edison
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The tape don’t lie and the numbers back it up, Kobe Boykin is one of the nation’s top playmakers in the 2024 class. Punishing California defenses for years at Orange High School, over the summer the four-star athlete made the move to Florida suiting up with Miami-Edison this fall. Under a new spotlight, more recruiting opportunities are coming Boykin’s way.
When it comes to tallying all-purpose yards the hard way, few if any can beat Boykin. The Panthers optimized Boykin’s speed and athleticism out of the backfield and in the passing attack. At Edison, Boykin will get to do more of the same with a greater focus lining up on the outside.
“At Edison, I will be playing slot and I will play some at running back doing jet sweeps,” Boykin stated. “I’m the Swiss Army Knife on offense. It is great knowing you will be moved around. My coaches want to get the ball in the playmakers’ hands. They know how to use me; everything will work out from there.”
To prepare for the new gig, Boykin has been putting extra effort into his conditioning.
“I’ve been doing the same thing I do every year, hit the hills heavy,” Boykin shared. “I am more explosive this year than last year; I have better speed. With my workouts, I have been going two to three miles, and weight training. I have hit the weights this offseason. It has been all about focusing on maintaining maximum speed. When I get on the treadmill, I work at different speeds to see what I can handle. You have to push yourself to the limit.”
The natural speed is there, the mechanics of the take off are a work in progress for Boykin.
“My track time is a 10.9 and my 40 is a 4.5,” Boykin said. “The better times comes with mechanics. That was my first year running track. It is cool to run a 4.5, but I want more. I ran track and my 40 with no technique. I have all the intangibles on the football field, working out, it is helping.”
Getting a taste of Sunshine State football through practices and the Red Raiders’ first game of the 2023 season, Boykin was asked the differences between California and Florida football.
“Florida is way grimmer,” Boykin shared. “You can talk mess with each other on the field. California is really strict on that, but in Florida you can talk. Everyone is hungry, they are hungry in California too. That is what I come from, toughness and grit. Everyone is hungry, everyone wants the same thing.”
In the mid-20s in offers, the one-time Utah Utes commit ran down the programs showing interest now that he’s in Florida.
“FAU, they are showing interest now that I am out here,” Boykin stated. “Schools from around here are contacting me. One of the Miami coaches followed me. I am waiting, I’m not rushing anything. Some other Pac-12 schools are showing interest too; I am waiting it out.”
Boykin continued, “Utah State, Weber State, FAU has it going, and Penn State, we’ll see where I land. FAMU (Florida A&M), I should get an offer from them soon. I have been keeping up with them since I have been out here.”
Keeping with seeing how everything plays out, Boykin is being patient with visits as well.
“I’m playing the season and we’ll see what happens,” Boykin said. “I’m not sure right now which schools I will visit. I’m talking to schools about visiting, and I will start setting them up soon.”
During his sophomore year, Boykin rushed 151 times for 1,150 yards punching it in 15 times and caught 38 passes for 674 yards with 10 more touchdowns. Last fall, Boykin rushed 165 times for 1,170 yards reaching the end zone 10 times while hauling in 34 passes for 335 yards with three more scores posted.