At the center of Ragsdale High School’s 1-3-1 zone was a three-year varsity starter, fresh off his junior season as a two-way football player. Devan Boykin stood 6-foot-4 and wore No. 12. He thrived catching Asheboro Blue Comet passes.
He converted nine steals into 19 points to lead the Tigers to a 73-58 victory. The January night in central North Carolina was not an outlier. Intercepting passes on the hardwood became a habit for Boykin, who averaged 2.2 steals per game that season.
Six years later, Boykin credits his basketball skills as a major reason for his success. His ball fighting skills translated to the playing field and have gotten him to where he is today: a safe start with the No. 2 team in the country.
“Being versatile in basketball and being able to stay in front of people helps me a lot in man coverage,” Boykin said. “Anticipating, being able to play on the courts and just being able to stay in front of people.”
Boykin played under his father, Johnny, and flourished in high school during his senior football season. With his days as a quarterback behind him, he made the transition to wide receiver and defensive back. He had 16 touchdowns and four interceptions, earning a three-star composite ranking.
Boykin committed to NC State in April 2019 and spent four seasons with the Wolfpack, where he played in 45 games and recorded 117 tackles and four interceptions.
After redesigning the 2024 campaign with a knee injury suffered during NC State’s 2023 bowl preparations, Boykin entered the transfer portal looking for a new home for his senior season.
Not knowing the program or not having a relationship with any of the coaches can be intimidating for most. However, Boykin felt a connection to Indiana the moment he stepped off the plane for his January visit. The Jamestown, North Carolina native was looking for a coach who wanted him. Curt Cignetti provided that.
“He wanted me here and would do anything in his power to get me here,” Boykin said. “That was really powerful for me and my family, just knowing that my presence was needed on his team.”
Boykin committed a week later and moved to Bloomington for the start of spring camp. He dove right into the playbook while building camaraderie with fellow veteran safeties Amare Ferrell and Louis Moore.
The safeties spent time getting better together during spring, summer and fall camp drills. However, Boykin wasn’t sure if he would be a starter. Indiana had freshman phenom Byron Baldwin Jr. ready to play. A long-term injury sidelined the five-star, allowing Boykin to start alongside Ferrell and Moore against Old Dominion.
Since then, the trio have reaped the rewards of hard work and dedication, intercepting eight passes in eight games.
“I’ve seen that whole safety position, the more snaps they get, the more comfortable they get playing together,” Cignetti said Monday. “Lots of interceptions on the back end. Boykin, Lewis, Moore and Ferrell all have good skills.”
Boykin, the last of the starting safeties to get his first takeaway, had a breakout game in Saturday’s win over UCLA. The redshirt senior scored his first interception in nearly two calendar years, beating Nico Iamaleava in the fourth quarter.
Cignetti gave Boykin defensive player of the week honors after his seven-tackle and two pass breakup performances on Saturday. His name and photo will remain on the team room wall throughout the season, a lasting reminder of his efforts.
In addition to his safety responsibilities, Boykin is a key contributor to Indiana’s elite special teams unit. His performance in both roles received high praise from his coach on Monday.
“Boykin is a very smart player. He can play all three safety positions,” Cignetti said. “He played really well on that interception Saturday, but also had some big tackles on special teams.”
In his appearance on “Inside IU Football” last Thursday, cornerbacks coach Rod Ojong spoke highly of the veteran defensive back. While talking about Ola Adams’ safety room, Ojong praised Boykin for being a man who flies under the radar.
With 16 tackles in his last three games, Boykin will look to remain productive as Indiana visits struggling Maryland in College Park this weekend.
“When you have big games like that, it obviously builds more confidence, not only with yourself, but with your coaches,” Boykin said. “Now that I’m done with that big game, I’ll just try to keep it going for the next week.”
Boykin’s first ten months in Bloomington were rewarding, yet expected. He came to Indiana to shine and win football games. Both happen at the same time, earning him the wry smile he puts on his face when he exclaims, “If you win, you won’t get any complaints.”
Six years later, the stage is much bigger, but Boykin, still in his familiar No. 12, plays the same way: patient, sharp and ready to steal the spotlight.
(Photo credit: IU Athletics)
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