ARCATA — Taylor Boggs won't talk about his honors and success.  But the 6-3, 305 pound Humboldt State center, who concluded his college eligibility last fall, will gladly share his journey.

Boggs Highlight Video

Boggs was the wide-eyed, seven year-old who stared at the Emmitt Smith poster in his home in Upland, Calif. and wanted to be a professional football player. 

Although Boggs did not become the running back like his idol, his foundation for the game was learned in youth football and playing with his older brothers.  In high school he played on the freshman team and then the junior varsity as a sophomore, never starting either year.  He didn't make the varsity squad until halfway through this junior season, still never starting until he was a senior. 

"My high school coaches told me I would never make it as a college player," Boggs said.  "But I knew that I had worked too hard for it to be over." 

Boggs began his college career on an academic scholarship at Pikeville College, a small NAIA school in Kentucky, before transferring to Humboldt State as a sophomore. 

"I couldn't grow as a player at my first school," Boggs said.  "I wanted more out of football program and more out of myself."

But he didn't earn an automatic spot on the Humboldt State team. In fact, he was cut from the lone Division II California program in his first attempt.  

Determined, Boggs had been told too many times that he wasn't good enough to let this keep him away.

In his first season as a Lumberjack, the walk-on didn't disappoint.  In the 2008 and 2009 seasons, Boggs earned unanimous first-team All-Great Northwest Atlantic Conference selection, NCSA Strength and Conditioning All-American, team captain, and team offensive lineman of the year. 

At the conclusion of his junior season, Boggs began to think about life after college football.  LeCharles Bentley, a retired NFL player and founder/operator of the "O-Line Academy,” saw potential in the HSU standout and contacted him. 

Bentley reviewed videotape on Boggs, offering advice to the future NFL prospect heading into his senior season. 

"Drew (Petersen) and his staff set me up for success," Boggs said, of the HSU Strength and Conditioning Coaches.  "The only reason LeCharles (Bentley) could implement the methods is because of the base from them.  I got lucky with the coaching and strength coaches here (at HSU).  They took me in as one of their own."

The 2010 campaign marked the Jacks' first winning season since 2006 and only the second since 1995.  Supporters began to believe that Boggs could go from being the local hero to the national spotlight.  

And the 2010 honors were endless. 

Boggs was named a first team AFCA All-American, first team D2football.com All-American, first team All-Super Region 4, AP Division II All-America squad, Don Hansen All-American, first team unanimous All-GNAC team, Division II Cactus Bowl invite, GNAC offensive lineman of the year, NSCA Strength and Conditioning All-American. He was also selected as HSU team captain, team offensive lineman of the year, JBS scouting pre-season All-America honorable mention, and JBS mid-season All-America second team. 

The duo of Bentley and Boggs met at the conclusion of the fall season prior to the Cactus Bowl in January. 

"LeCharles (Bentley) picked out the flaws," Boggs said.  "And I sharpened my skills before the Cactus Bowl.”

But the journey was only beginning.

Boggs returned to Cleveland to train and mentally prepare with Bentley until early March.  The snowy conditions, intense training and strict diet were everything the hardworking Lumberjack was looking for.

"I was training with the best," Boggs said. "NFL guys and first-round draft picks – but it didn't matter.  LeCharles taught me how to be confident and I now know that I am an NFL lineman."

Former Fresno State football player and former HSU offensive line coach, Manoa Pouono, played a vital role for Boggs, who was invited to participate in Fresno State's Pro Day on March 8.