By Ed McGranahan.

By Ed McGranahan

Tajh Boyd joked that if he were 6-foot-5 he would probably be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft.

If only it was that simple.

For all he has accomplished in two seasons as Clemson’s starting quarterback – 39 school records, All-American, ACC Player of the Year, MVP in a stunning comeback victory over LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl – Boyd needs a third season.

All of us, including reporters who don’t bleed orange, welcomed his decision. To know Boyd is to enjoy him. His easy nature and honesty are refreshing. After he announced Wednesday he would return rather than enter the NFL Draft, he asked if somebody would Tweet it for him.

Tens of thousands were hanging on his announcement. Millions, as in dollars, were at stake. Boyd was potentially a late second round pick after his magnificent performance against LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, engineering a fourth-quarter rally including a gut-wrenching drive in the final 90 seconds for the game-winning field goal.

For a minute, Boyd thought it would be enough and he could walk away.

Clemson was ranked ninth in the final USA Today coaches’ poll, its highest finish since Ken Hatfield’s first season.

Dalton Freeman, Andre Ellington, Brandon Ford and – in all likelihood – DeAndre Hopkins will be gone, leaving a promising group of offensive linemen and a good group of receivers, including Sammy Watkins. With Boyd, Clemson could enter 2013 easily ranked in the top 10. Without him, maybe top 25.

For much of last season, Boyd was a weak blip on the radar because Clemson had not beaten anybody better than Ball State, but his numbers in Chad Morris’ fast-break offense were too good to ignore.

Entering the South Carolina game there was talk of Boyd being on the fringe of the Heisman conversation.

Then Jadeveon Clowney punched delete.

LSU was a reboot, triggering the drama leading up to Wednesday’s announcement.

At his current pace, Boyd will shatter virtually any quarterback record of consequence at Clemson and more than a few conference standards.

Yet even barely after the page was turned on 2012 and before the Dawgs tinkle on the grass to start 2013, the debate has begun on how he’ll be remembered.

Best quarterback? Best player? Ring of Honor candidate?

Sure, if he had Steve Fuller’s mind, Homer Jordan’s cool, Rodney Williams presence, Woody Dantzler’s quickness, Kyle Parker’s arm and Charlie Whitehurst’s savvy.

A year from now that may be a reasonable discussion.

The NFL Draft advisory folks suggest he work on his footwork and accuracy (Boyd rushed for 10 touchdowns and more than 500 yards and completed 67 percent of his passes).

Boyd seems to understand he needs further personal and professional growth to take Clemson – and himself — to the next level. Generally fearless, defiant of pain, Boyd admitted the idea of taking control of the team next season scared him.

“At one time I was terrified at the thought,” he said. “I thought about it and decided, well, it’s your turn.”

Even at 6-foot-1.