Taking Stock of BC's 2023 Recruiting Class
Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom)Publisher
Boston College is building the highest-rated class of the Jeff Hafley era, and July 4 weekend was another affirmation of the strides the Eagles have made the last three years.
BC, which has reeled in back-to-back top-40 recruiting classes, is currently 23rd nationally and sixth in the ACC in the Rivals.com recruiting team rankings for the Class of 2023.
The Eagles added a pair of commits on Saturday, including their first four star of the cycle: cornerback Antonio Cotman Jr. from Life Christian Academy (Chester, Virginia). The other pledge is Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nevada) linebacker Palaie Faoa.
BC now has 16 Class of 2023 commits who have publicly announced.
After a jam-packed June and a busy holiday weekend, it's a good time to take a stock report of where BC is at this cycle.
Cotman is the headliner right now
Cotman had his pick of the litter. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder is the fourth-rated prospect in Virginia this cycle and No. 35 cornerback in the Class of 2023, according to Rivals.com. He boasted 21 offers, and his top five included Arizona State, Maryland, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech and, of course, BC.Cotman has been communicating with BC pretty much since recruits in his class could start contacting schools last September. The Eagles also had the privilege of hosting Cotman's final official visit, which preceded his commitment to the program.
His 5.8 Rivals Rating (RR) is the highest of any BC commit this cycle. Cotman told Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst/Rankings Director Adam Friedman Saturday that BC's coaches and campus moved the needle for him. He said he liked the "Hogwarts" feel of the Heights as well as its proximity to BC and Hafley's NFL pedigree.
He's the only four star, but...
The Eagles have seven players this cycle with a RR of 5.7 or higher. Keep in mind, 5.7 is the highest rating a three-star prospect can earn—0.1 higher, and you're a four-star recruit. In BC's 2022 recruiting class, the Eagles had five signees with at least a 5.7 RR. The class before that—the first of the Hafley era—the Eagles had four such signees.RRs can change, so it's possible BC ends up with its most four-star prospects of the Hafley era by the time signing day rolls around in December.
BC's other commits with at least a 5.7 RR in this class are quarterback Jacobe Robinson, defensive end Brian Simms III, cornerback Shawn Battle, athlete Nate Johnson, athlete Kahlil Ali and wide receiver Montrell Wade.
The Eagles keep expanding their recruiting footprint
Cotman is BC's seventh commit/signee from Virginia since BC started crafting its 2021 recruiting class. Defensive backs coach/associate head coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim has given the Eagles a shot in the arm in the DMV area, and it shows.But Faoa is the second player BC has plucked from Vegas Power Five feeder Bishop Gorman in as many years. Last cycle, the Eagles reeled in running back Cam Barfield. Faoa was between Cal and BC. Both are prestigious schools but on opposite coasts. Faoa chose the Eagles, despite the distance away from home.
That's saying something. So is BC's effort in Texas. Following the commitment of Wade, the Eagles now have five commits/signees from the Lone Star State in the Hafley era (2021-present). That matches the five total Texas signees during the Steve Addazio recruiting era (2014-20).
Plus, Paetow (Katy, Texas) defensive back CJ Johnson is seriously considering BC. He's the No. 44 safety in his class, according to Rivals.com.
What's more, earlier this cycle, the Eagles got a commitment from Reed Harris, a three-star athlete from Montana. Unsurprisingly, BC has never had a signee from Montana in the Rivals.com recruiting database era (2002-present).
Regional diversity is key, and the Eagles have it. This class consists of 16 public commits across 10 states right now.
This class has an emphasis on the secondary
After bringing in just two true cornerbacks last cycle—Amari Jackson and Isaiah Farris—BC is targeting the back end for its 2023 class. Already, the Eagles have three defensive back commits, not to mention two committed "athletes" who have experience in the secondary.Kahlil Ali, a top-10 New Jersey prospect, is a standout safety, and Nate Johnson III from Central Catholic (Clearwater, Florida) has starred at corner and wide receiver.
Hafley is regarded as a secondary wizard, and Abdul-Rahim is an established recruiter, particularly when it comes to defensive backs, so it's not too difficult to wrap your head around this kind of position group success.
It doesn't hurt that BC was third in the nation in pass defense last season.
Position breakdown
ATH - 3DB - 2
OL - 2
WR - 2
DL - 2
RB - 1
QB - 1
TE - 1
LB - 1
High school state breakdown
Massachusetts - 3Maryland - 3
Florida - 2
Texas - 2
Montana - 1
Pennsylvania - 1
Michigan - 1
New Jersey - 1
Nevada - 1
Virginia - 1
ACC team recruiting rankings at the moment...
Note: National rankings are in parentheses.1. Clemson (4th)
2. Miami (15th)
3. Duke (17th)
4. Louisville (19th)
5. North Carolina (21st)
6. BC (23rd)
7. Wake Forest (27th)
8. Pitt (28th)
9. Virginia Tech (33rd)
10. North Carolina State (42nd)
11. Florida State (45th)
12. Georgia Tech (47th)
13. Virginia (52nd)
14. Syracuse (77th)
