EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings started their four-pick flurry in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft by choosing Texas cornerback Kris Boyd with the 217th overall selection.
Boyd is from Gilmer, a town of 5,100-plus that is about two hours due east of Dallas.
He started 33 of 51 games for the Longhorns, totaling 191 career tackles (141 solo), four interceptions, 40 passes defended, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
View photos of Vikings new DB Kris Boyd from Texas who was selected in the seventh round.
Texas defensive back Kris Boyd (2) celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Texas Tech's Antoine Wesley (4) stretches across the goal line to score a touchdown as Texas' Kris Boyd (2) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson)
Georgia running back Elijah Holyfield (13) carries as Texas defensive back Kris Boyd (2) tries to make the tackle during the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
Oklahoma State wide receiver Tylan Wallace, left, catches a pass over pressure from Texas defensive back Kris Boyd in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. Wallace scored 2 touchdowns in the Oklahoma State 38-35 win over Texas. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer (12) is hit by Texas defensive back Kris Boyd (2) as he runs during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Iowa State wide receiver Hakeem Butler (18) pulls in a catch over Texas defensive back Kris Boyd (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (15) is pressured by Texas defensive back Kris Boyd (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Marquise Brown (5) tries to avoid a tackle by Texas Longhorns cornerback Kris Boyd during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Dallas, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Texas defensive back Kris Boyd (2) breaks up a pass intended for TCU wide receiver Jaelan Austin (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Kansas State wide receiver Dalton Schoen (83) is unable to hold on to a pass as Texas defensive back Kris Boyd (2) defends during the fourth quarter of a college football game in Manhattan, Kan., Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Texas defensive back Kris Boyd participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine on Monday, March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Texas defensive back Kris Boyd participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine on Monday, March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Texas defensive back Kris Boyd at the bench press drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Texas defensive back Kris Boyd runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas defensive back Kris Boyd runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas defensive back Kris Boyd runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas defensive back Kris Boyd participates in a drill during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Monday, March. 4, 2019. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Here are five things to know about Boyd:
1. Teamed with Holton Hill
Boyd has a strong connection with Vikings second-year cornerback Holton Hill.
In addition to donning burnt orange together for three seasons, Boyd and Hill, who is from Houston, decided to commit to Texas on the same day.
"That's my brother," Boyd said Saturday during a conference call after his selection. "We actually committed to the University of Texas together at the same time on TV, and it's like, being in this position and actually getting drafted with no control over it, I mean it's all a blessing, and I'm just thankful for it."
They'll be coached by another Texas corner, Jerry Gray, the 21st overall pick of the 1985 NFL Draft (Los Angeles Rams).
2. A strong performance
Boyd showed physical strengths at the combine. He led all cornerbacks with 19 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press.
Boyd also tied for the third-fastest time (4.08 seconds) in the 20-yard shuttle, the 10th-fastest time (6.94 seconds) in the 3-cone drill and tied for eighth (4.45 seconds) in the 40-yard dash among cornerbacks this year.
3. Accolades
After being rated in the top 10 cornerbacks nationally as a senior in high school, Boyd contributed on defense and played special teams in his first season in Austin.
He cracked the starting lineup in 2016 and opened 33 of his final 35 games, eventually garnering placement on the Associated Press All-Big 12 Second Team in 2017, an All-Big 12 First Team nod in 2018 and an invitation to participate in the Senior Bowl in January.
4. High school champ
Boyd played cornerback and running back for the Gilmer Buckeyes and was selected to participate in the 2015 U.S. Army All-America Bowl and Nike's 2014 "The Opening." The 4A All-State defensive back totaled 1,052 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 107 carries in helping Gilmer go 16-0 and win the 4A Division 2 title in 2014.
He also was a member of the 800-meter relay team that set the Texas record.
5. Football family
Boyd has multiple Longhorns and former NFL players in his family.
One cousin, Curtis Brown, played three seasons with Pittsburgh (2011-13). Another, Bobby Taylor, had a 10-season pro career (Philadelphia, 1995-2003; Seattle, 2004). Boyd's brother, Demarco, is a Longhorns linebacker.
