I've done some digging and feel pretty confident that the following players are among (not all of) BC's top 2017 football targets.
From Massachusetts: Two of the top targets are running back A.J. Dillon (who sources still apparently feel like they're firmly in the mix with) and Ifeatu Melifonwu of Grafton, who has been offered by Boston College and UConn. He had been previously offered by the Eagles but with the staff changes BC has reached out anew to Melifonwu and there's really been a second introduction of sorts.
From Connecticut: Tarik Black is a player they have to make a run at. I think expectations are probably realistic. They don't really know how much of a shot they have. But they have to make a run at him with him being so close to BC.
C.J. Holmes, Ben Mason and Andrew Stueber (6-foot-6, 306-pound OT from Darien) are among the Eagles' other top targets from Connecticut.
New Jersey: I'm told there are "a lot" of guys from New Jersey that BC feels good about and is pursuing early in the 2017 class. Offensive lineman Ben Petrula of St. Peter's Prep is one. He was recently offered by North and South Carolina. Has a history of visiting North Carolina (the state, not the school) from childhood, and does like the Gamecocks. But given BC's line history and history with St. Peter's Prep (and present pipeline), BC is definitely one that he likes. Paul Theobald is another top target from Jersey, from Seton Hall Prep.
One kid not to sleep on that BC really wants to make a strong play for is Markquese Bell, a four-star athlete from Bridgeton. He's 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds and is a really good-looking prospect. BC's working hard to make an impression on him.
Quarterback Recruiting: Kentucky commit Mac Jones, Jack Coan of Long Island, Jack Sears of California and the Swedish-born California athlete/dual-threat Jordan Genmark Heath are among their top quarterback targets. Some have wondered about what position Heath would play and I'm told Loeffler likes him as a quarterback. Apparently, Mac Jones and Loeffler have a bit of a recruiting relationship dating back for a couple of years.
Recent Offers: Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit all-purpose back Malik Brown was recently offered by BC and I'm told that they like him and will push for him. Pitt defensive back commit Exree Loe has apparently reciprocated interest to some degree. He's told a couple of folks up at BC that he's interested and will be willing to communicate and explore the possibility of BC, although he's still committed to Pitt. Evidence Njoku is the younger brother David Njoku who is now at Miami. He's really blown up, not sure how high BC would be on his list right now.
Florida Recruiting: Finally, some of you have asked about the Florida recruiting strategy. It's still a big focus. The regions are now assigned and Scot Loeffler will be recruiting the western, Gulf Coast side of the state, and Brian White will be recruiting the eastern, Atlantic Coast side of the state.
From Massachusetts: Two of the top targets are running back A.J. Dillon (who sources still apparently feel like they're firmly in the mix with) and Ifeatu Melifonwu of Grafton, who has been offered by Boston College and UConn. He had been previously offered by the Eagles but with the staff changes BC has reached out anew to Melifonwu and there's really been a second introduction of sorts.
From Connecticut: Tarik Black is a player they have to make a run at. I think expectations are probably realistic. They don't really know how much of a shot they have. But they have to make a run at him with him being so close to BC.
C.J. Holmes, Ben Mason and Andrew Stueber (6-foot-6, 306-pound OT from Darien) are among the Eagles' other top targets from Connecticut.
New Jersey: I'm told there are "a lot" of guys from New Jersey that BC feels good about and is pursuing early in the 2017 class. Offensive lineman Ben Petrula of St. Peter's Prep is one. He was recently offered by North and South Carolina. Has a history of visiting North Carolina (the state, not the school) from childhood, and does like the Gamecocks. But given BC's line history and history with St. Peter's Prep (and present pipeline), BC is definitely one that he likes. Paul Theobald is another top target from Jersey, from Seton Hall Prep.
One kid not to sleep on that BC really wants to make a strong play for is Markquese Bell, a four-star athlete from Bridgeton. He's 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds and is a really good-looking prospect. BC's working hard to make an impression on him.
Quarterback Recruiting: Kentucky commit Mac Jones, Jack Coan of Long Island, Jack Sears of California and the Swedish-born California athlete/dual-threat Jordan Genmark Heath are among their top quarterback targets. Some have wondered about what position Heath would play and I'm told Loeffler likes him as a quarterback. Apparently, Mac Jones and Loeffler have a bit of a recruiting relationship dating back for a couple of years.
Recent Offers: Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit all-purpose back Malik Brown was recently offered by BC and I'm told that they like him and will push for him. Pitt defensive back commit Exree Loe has apparently reciprocated interest to some degree. He's told a couple of folks up at BC that he's interested and will be willing to communicate and explore the possibility of BC, although he's still committed to Pitt. Evidence Njoku is the younger brother David Njoku who is now at Miami. He's really blown up, not sure how high BC would be on his list right now.
Florida Recruiting: Finally, some of you have asked about the Florida recruiting strategy. It's still a big focus. The regions are now assigned and Scot Loeffler will be recruiting the western, Gulf Coast side of the state, and Brian White will be recruiting the eastern, Atlantic Coast side of the state.
