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Here are 5 story lines as Boston College begins spring football practice
The Eagles are entering Year 2 of the Bill O’Brien era.
Members of the Boston College football team were chipper as they entered Fish Field House for Day 1 of spring practice Tuesday at 9:15 a.m.
The Eagles looked like a team continuing a journey rather than starting something new.
While there are some transfers and freshmen, the vast majority of players are returning from last year’s 7-6 team. As the program enters Year 2 of the Bill O’Brien era, there’s an added level of continuity.
“We know what [the coaches] expect, and we know what their demand is,” wide receiver Lewis Bond said. “It’s up to us to meet the standard that they’re pushing.”
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Practice ran smoothly and featured a steady stream of reps and live action before wrapping up at 11:15.
O’Brien said this day, compared with Day 1 of spring ball a year ago, was better in part because players have an idea of how the coaches run practice.
“We have a long way to go, but Year 2 is definitely a little bit further ahead than where we were in Year 1 at this point,” O’Brien said.
Here are five story lines to follow this spring.
Depth at quarterback
Grayson James, Dylan Lonergan, Shaker Reisig, and Jacobe Robinson highlight BC’s deepest quarterback room in years.
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James (63.9 completion percentage, 1,202 passing yards, 6 touchdowns, 2 interceptions last year), a 6-foot-3-inch, 226-pound redshirt senior, replaced Thomas Castellanos midway through the season and steered the Eagles to a strong finish. He makes sound decisions, throws an accurate ball, and is mobile for his size.
While James is the clear favorite, Lonergan — a 6-2, 215-pound redshirt sophomore transfer — will make him earn it. Lonergan impressed in his BC debut, throwing crisp passes and showing an ability to command the offense. O’Brien helped recruit him to Alabama and knows his skill set.
Reisig, a 6-foot, 188 pound freshman, and Robinson, a 6-3, 223-pound redshirt sophomore, made strong throws as well.
“I really like the whole quarterback room,” O’Brien said. “I’m very impressed with those guys.”
Returning talent at the skill positions
The Eagles will miss steady running back Kye Robichaux, but Turbo Richard, Jordan McDonald, and Alex Broome are capable of filling the void.
Richard, who racked up 55 carries for 278 yards and two TDs as a freshman, is ready for a greater load. The same goes for McDonald, who started on the practice squad and ended up totaling 361 rushing yards a season ago.
Broome, who tore his ACL last spring, appeared to be moving well.
At wide receiver, the Eagles will lean primarily on Bond (67 catches, 689 yards, 3 TDs), Reed Harris (17 catches, 486 yards, 4 TDs), and Catholic Memorial product Jaedn Skeete.
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Bond, a redshirt senior with 125 receptions, called it a “pretty easy” decision to come back.
“I felt like there was still some stuff that I needed to do to prove to myself and everybody,” Bond said.
Senior Jeremiah Franklin and redshirt sophomore Ty Lockwood, another Alabama transfer, have a chance to form a dynamic duo at tight end.
Opportunity on the line
The offensive and defensive lines will be areas to monitor.
The Eagles have plenty of talent returning, but replacing offensive linemen Drew Kendall and Ozzy Trapilo and defensive linemen Donovan Ezeiruaku and Cam Horsley won’t be easy.
On offense, Dwayne Allick, Logan Taylor, Kevin Cline, and Jude Bowry have extensive experience. Others such as Eryx Daugherty, Ryan Mickow, and Otto Hess have a shot to carve out roles.
Defensively, Josiah Griffin, Quintayvious Hutchins, Owen Stoudmire, Sedarius McConnell, George Rooks, Edwin Kolenge, Kwan Williams, and Ty Clemons should contribute.
Secondary could be special
Omar Thornton, Max Tucker, Carter Davis, KP Price, Cameron Martinez, and Ashton McShane were a relatively young crew last year that got better.
BC finished tied for seventh in the nation with 17 interceptions, its most since 18 in 2018.
This year, the unit could be poised for a breakout with new defensive backs coach Cory Robinson.
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“That’s definitely the goal, to be the best in the ACC,” Price said. “That’s the standard we have to set for ourselves, so we can reach it.”
Bryce Steele, Daveon Crouch, Jaylen Blackwell, and Owen McGowan are factors at linebacker.
Freshman kicker/punter Andy Quinn could give Liam Connor competition.
No spring game
BC has elected to skip its spring game, following a recent national trend.
The Eagles will practice every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday through April 12.
They plan to have a full-padded scrimmage every Saturday, with roughly 100 plays.
“It’ll be a great opportunity for all these guys to show us what they can do,” O’Brien said.
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