Boston College Eagles

Head Coach

Jeff Jagodzinski	2nd year
07-08	11-3
ACC	6-2
FCR	15

Previous Season Wins

Head Coach - Jeff Jagodzinski guided the Eagles to an eleven win season in his first campaign behind the arm of Matt Ryan and solid play from the defense. The defense will once again be sound this fall but on offense their holes to fill; most notably at quarterback and running back. Boston College has built a strong program having won 30 games in the last three season and expectations on Chestnut Hill are that the Eagles will once again be one of the top teams in the ACC and will be bowl bound once again.

Quarterback - Senior Chris Crane has waited for his chance to quarterback Boston College and it’s finally arrived. The fifth-year player got the chance this spring to show the coaching staff he’s ready to take the reins. He separated himself from JUCO Codi Boek and redshirt freshman Dominique Davis, Crane has size, experience in the system and a good arm, while Davis showed that he will be a dual-threat option and appears to be the heir apparent to job.

Running Backs - There may not be a program in the country with more questions at running back than Boston College. True freshman Josh Haden was the number option this spring and his backup was sophomore Dan Mulrooney, who was at strong safety last fall. Haden is a smallish back who’ll contribute in the passing game as well but is not ready to be a workhorse just yet. There will be some serious competition this fall before the season starts as four recruits will be vying with Haden to be the number one back, look for Jerry Kelly, Isaac Johnson, Montel Harris and Eric Reynolds all be in the mix. The fullback will sophomore James McCluskey, great blocker and scored three times last year in the short yardage package.

Receivers - The wide receivers at BC are an underrated group as they lack a game-breaker but they produce and will once again put up numbers for quarterback Chris Crane. Returning on he outside are junior Rich Gunnell and senior Brandon Robinson as well as senior Ryan Purvis at tight end. Gunnell was the teams leading pass catcher last season with 64 receptions for 932 yards and seven touchdowns while Robinson added 56 catches for 793 yards and five scores. Purvis as is a big body with an NFL future who caught 54 balls for 553 yards and is an integral part of the offense.

Offensive Line - The left side of the line has been solidified with the move of sophomore Anthony Castonzo to tackle, he’ll be along side of senior Clif Ramsey and at center will be junior Matt Tennant. Stepping in on the right side will be a pair of sophomores with Rich Lapham at tackle and at guard Thomas Claiborne. Look for the Eagles to run behind the left side, will need to need to come together quickly to help Crane get his feet wet.

Defensive Line - It’s a solid defense and it starts upfront, the Eagles had the number two rushing defense in the nation last season and return many of the key parts. In the middle will be seniors Ron Brace and B.J. Raji, they’re both big bodies who take up space and are potential All-ACC performers. The ends will be juniors Alex Albright and Jim Ramella, Albright had 8 ½ sacks despite missing three games and Ramella added 19 tackles and a sack in limited action last year and will be asked to be more of a presence in the backfield this fall.

Linebackers - The middle three in the BC defense are an experienced solid group, they’re led by senior Brian Toal who’ll be on weakside, he missed the 07’ season with an injury but he’s quick, strong and motivated. In the middle is junior Mike McLaughlin and at the strongside fellow junior Mark Herzlich, McLaughlin was a reserve last year but still finished fourth on the team in tackles with 54 and Herzlich is a rising star, as he led the team with 97 tackles last season.

Defensive Backs - The secondary is where the questions are, the Eagles ranked 88th against the pass and only senior strong safety Paul Anderson who had 58 tackles and two picks returns. Marcellus Bowman will be at free safety, the junior has the size to be a force over the middle against the run but will be asked to help the new corners as well. At one corner is sophomore DeLeon Gause who stepped in as a true freshman last year and in reserve role showed that he’ll be a fixture for the next three seasons, and at the spot junior Roderick Rollins will battle freshman Donnie Fletcher who came in early and looked very good.

Special Teams - Senior Steve Aponavicius returns as the placekicker, he was 12 for 18 last season but leg strength is an issue. Real questions at punter, freshman Ryan Quigley when he reports will be given every chance to claim the job. Handling the returns will be senior Brandon Robinson but the Eagles could use an infusion of talent here, don’t be surprised to see one of the incoming backs get a chance as well as freshman CB Donnie Fletcher.

Schedule - Sets up nicely, seven home dates and a neutral site game with Kent St, and Va Tech must travel to Chestnut Hill. They should be in the ACC race when they play at Florida St and Wake in November and they close with Maryland at home. They’ll be in the hunt and there’s another bowl game in their future, look for the Eagles to win 9+ games this season.