3 position groups that could determine the season

On Wednesday, we took a look at why BC fans should be hopeful for a successful 2025.

Now, it’s time to look at three position groups that still remain big questions heading into training camp. If these three groups can turn things around, then there’s even more reason to believe the Eagles can compete. If not, then BC may be stuck in neutral again, something fans have been all too familiar with since the team last won eight games in 2009.

Tight ends

It’s been a while since the tight end was a true threat down the field for Boston College. Sure, Kamari Morales was solid with six touchdowns last year, but he had just 325 yards and 28 catches. Jeremiah Franklin is back, but he’s put up just 504 yards and four touchdowns the last three seasons, including three TDs last year. Franklin is an excellent blocker, but that down the middle or catch it-and-break it guy, or big time red zone threat just hasn’t been there since Hunter Long.

Enter Alabama transfer Ty Lockwood. Lockwood absolutely looked the part in spring ball, but perhaps what’s more encouraging is the depth guys that flashed behind him when given the opportunities.

Ryan Boultwood, Kaelan Chudzinski, Danny Edgehill and Brady Clough all had their moments at times. Assuming Lockwood is that TE1 the team needs, then if one or two of those guys (along with Franklin) provide legitimate pass catching depth, this unit could and should play a major role in the success of the offense.

Linebackers

On paper, it feels like this might be the deepest BC has been at linebacker in a while. But, as we’ve seen over the last decade or so, one or two injuries can derail that depth and suddenly put guys in places they’re not ready to be in yet.

Filling a void left by Kam Arnold will be hard, so it’s imperative that the guys that have been here take a step forward in 2025.

Owen McGowan is healthy and ready to go, but is he ready to make that jump finally? Jaylen Blackwell – who could be the team’s most athletic guy at the position – was banged up early in spring ball, but should be able to get going once training camp rolls around. Bryce Steele is back with a chip on his shoulder after making it back last year, but not really making the impact he would have liked. Daveon Crouch is probably right behind Blackwell in terms of play-making ability.

Billy Van Pelt flashed a few times in April, as did Tim Hays, Palaie Faoa and Juan Zabal. Transfer running back Vaughn Pemberton ended up flying up the LB depth chart with a few guys sitting out the spring and he made a significant impact, taking full advantage of the unique opportunity. Don’t forget about transfer portal additions Jason Hewlett from Michigan and E’Lla Boykin out of Barton. Hewlett could be a plug-and-play guy even if Blackwell and Steele are both fully ready to go, allowing BC to ease those guys in if needed.

At the very least, BC seemingly has the bodies and enough there to withstand injuries, but fans are still understandably weary of the position until they see results.

Special teams

We all agree it can’t get uglier than it was a year ago. The lack of ability to play the field position game legitimately changed how BC could operate on offense last season, especially towards the end of the year.

By the end of spring ball, it appeared newcomer Andy Quinn may have an inside track to the punting job. BC’s absolutely needs to make teams work from their own end zone instead of the 35, 40 or even worse, plus territory. Whoever does end up getting that starting job will have to be consistent. Meanwhile, either Luca Lombardo or Liam Connor will handle the kicking duties. Both guys were solid in the few ‘live’ competitions the media saw during the spring, so we’ll be following that one closely throughout camp.

What’s not talked about enough is the return game. The Eagles can really help themselves out by having more of a threat on kickoff and punt returns (more so punts since KOs are basically automatic touch backs now). There’s speedy players like Turbo Richard, VJ Wilkins and Jordan McDonald who could take that role and hopefully, turn that part of the game into a weapon for BC instead of a major flaw.