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Position-by-position look at the 2024 Boston College football squad
The Bill O’Brien era is underway at Boston College.
The Eagles, eyeing their first eight-win season since 2009, open Monday, Sept. 2, at 7:30 p.m., at No. 10 Florida State.
“I think we’re headed in the right direction,” O’Brien said. “I’m excited to see how it all unfolds.”
Here’s a position-by-position look at the roster:
Quarterback
When asked to evaluate his performance from last year, Thomas Castellanos gave himself a surprisingly low grade of C-minus.
Castellanos posted the third-most yards in BC history (3,360), behind only Matt Ryan and Doug Flutie, and electrified in the Fenway Bowl triumph over SMU. His inconsistency as a passer, however, left him wanting more from himself, as he threw 14 interceptions and completed just 57.3 percent of his throws.
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“I’m just trying to be the best me I can be,” the junior said.
This summer, Castellanos has consistently arrived as early as 5:30 a.m. to attack the day with quarterbacks coach Jonathan DiBiaso. The next step is balancing creativity with discipline, and Castellanos appears ready to make that jump.
“He knows what he has to do,” DiBiaso said. “He’s buying into that.”
O’Brien, who has a history of grooming highly successful quarterbacks, called Castellanos one of the team’s most-improved players.
Junior Grayson James, a transfer from Florida International, has emerged as a promising backup. Redshirt freshman Jacobe Robinson appears to have the inside track on the third-string job.
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Wide receiver
This position is where BC is arguably its deepest and all-around most talented.
It starts with Lewis Bond, who has developed an undeniable rapport with Castellanos. The redshirt junior will look to build upon his sophomore year where he racked up 52 catches for 646 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Perhaps the most intriguing of the bunch is 6-foot-5-inch deep threat Jerand Bradley, a Texas Tech transfer who may just be scratching the surface. Bradley showed flashes for the Red Raiders and could emerge as a reliable red zone threat for the Eagles.
“It’s surprising to see a tall guy move as well as he does,” Bond said of Bradley.
Dynamic Catholic Memorial product Jaedn Skeete, shifty Vanderbilt transfer Jayden McGowan, steady workhorse Dino Tomlin, and up-and-coming redshirt freshman Reed Harris round out the group.
“I feel like when we’re doing our thing, we’re untouchable,” Bradley said.
Running back
Much like the receiver room, the weapons at running back complement one another well.
Kye Robichaux blossomed into a star last year, totaling 163 carries for 791 yards (4.8 per carry) and 8 TDs. Robichaux’s downhill power makes him hard to tackle, and the next step is adding more versatility, elusiveness, and mobility.
“That’s where he’s taken his game,” running backs coach Savon Huggins said. “Spatial awareness, and really thinking about those things.”
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Treshaun Ward, who played four years at Florida State and one at Kansas State, is a shifty back who also thrives as a pass-catcher. Huggins said Ward has done an “unbelievable job” in a leadership role and provided an added dose of intensity.
Stout bulldozer Alex Broome, slithery Jordan McDonald, and promising freshman Turbo Richard are also in the mix.
Tight end
The Eagles could benefit from more production out of their tight ends this season.
Kamari Morales, who spent five years at North Carolina, is vying for the No. 1 spot with junior Jeremiah Franklin. Both are formidable blockers and steady pass-catchers who should complement Castellanos well.
Westborough native and Lawrence Academy product Matt Ragan has made some noise in camp and has a chance to produce.
Offensive line
After a highly disappointing 2022 season, the offensive line bounced back in a major way last year. BC leaned heavily on its ground game during a five-game winning streak, and finished the year second in the Atlantic Coast Conference in rushing yards per game (199.5).
“It pushed us to a whole other level,” said redshirt junior center Drew Kendall (Norwell/Nobles). “There was just constant, constant motivation to improve upon. The bar was set low, and that just gave a really bad taste in our mouths.”
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The Eagles will miss bruising guard Christian Mahogany — a sixth-round pick of the Detroit Lions — but they return Kendall, redshirt senior right tackle Ozzy Trapilo (Norwell/BC High), and redshirt junior left tackle Logan Taylor. Jude Bowry, Jack Conley, Dwayne Allick, and Kevin Cline are a few others with experience.
“You fill the gap with guys improving, guys stepping up and doing their job,” offensive line coach Matt Applebaum said. “There’s no magic formula to it.”
Defensive line
Defensive line could end up as a major X-factor for the Eagles. BC allowed 30 rushing touchdowns last year, most in the ACC, and often lost games due to its inability to stymie opposing backs.
“As a unit last year, I would say we were just average,” senior defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku said. “We definitely work to be a lot better than average.”
There is reason for optimism that this could be a much-improved unit. Alongside Ezeiruaku, senior defensive end Neto Okpala, graduate nose tackle Cam Horsley, and redshirt junior defensive tackle George Rooks are catalysts.
“You better be able to stop the run,” defensive line coach Jeff Comissiong said. “If you can’t defend the run, it’s going to be a long afternoon.”
Linebackers
BC will adjust to life without vocal leader Vinny DePalma, now a defensive assistant with the Patriots.
Graduate Kam Arnold, who earned defensive MVP honors in the Fenway Bowl and finished the season with 66 tackles, will absorb even more of a leadership role. Redshirt junior Bryce Steele is back after battling cancer and vying for playing time.
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Jaylen Blackwell, Owen McGowan, and Daveon Crouch are a few others in the equation. Linebacker, like defensive line, could be a determining factor in how this team fares.
Secondary
The Eagles are deep and talented in the secondary, highlighted by cornerbacks Amari Jackson, Max Tucker, Jalen Cheek, and Bryquice Brown, plus safeties Cameron Martinez, Cole Batson, Victor Nelson, and KP Price.
BC allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards per game (196.9) in the ACC last year. The Eagles will miss fourth-round pick Elijah Jones, but have plenty of returners eager to fill the void.
“You’re starting to see guys really believe in the system and believe in themselves, so you’re starting to see their play excel,” secondary coach Ray Brown said.
Special teams
Bond, McGowan, and Harris could return kicks. Sam Candotti and Ivan Zivenko will punt. Leominster’s Liam Connor and Luca Lombardo are battling for the starting kicker spot.
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