I hate the way a Benelli Nova looks, can't stand the marketing, etc. But for a workaholic pump gun, it beats anything else being produced today. They are simply unbreakable in tough use. Also, get the kid a 26" barrel not a 28" unless the only thing he shoots are crossing shots on ducks.

We run Ithaca 37 because it is the best-designed pump ever for ease of use, and I love them. But a Nova will take more abuse and keep running without any complaint. Remington 870 quality/value has been hit-or-miss for about 20 years now. So unless you're buying an oldie for the kid, the Remington offers nothing of significance. And if going oldie-design, then an Ithaca is much easier to use than a Remington.

Try any one of these and he'll be happy. It might be cheapest to get the Tactical, then buy him the bird barrel to go with it. The camo version has to be quite a recent production gun since it has Max5.
Nova black $200
Nova black Tactical
Nova camo $225