This edition of the The Rundown will be wide-ranging, touching on a variety of topics that really span the entire world of BC recruiting: Both the last class and the class in progress, scholarships, former assistant coaches and their recruiting emphases and wants, and how the new coaches are adjusting and making their own impact.
Let's start with the quarterback who was supposedly offered recently -- K.C. Cureton out of Los Angeles High School in the city of the same name in California. I've done a little digging and have uncovered surprisingly little in the way of information about him from BC's end of things. I'm not saying he doesn't have an offer from Boston College, but I cannot say with certainty where exactly he stands on BC's board, and there may be some confusion on some level. Don't know what, exactly, but I'm pretty sure he at least has not been widely discussed in the BC football offices.
Speaking of quarterbacks, they will definitely take one and "very possibly could take two." They are not committed to taking two, at least to the point of reserving a spot in the class for an extra quarterback. And I don't think they're so sure of it that they will loudly broadcast the possibility to the quarterbacks they're recruiting, most of whom would surely prefer to be the lone player at the position in the class. But I think with the new offensive coordinator coming in he wants to make his stamp more on the position, with guys that he's able to feel most comfortable with, and that only comes from him doing the evaluation/recruiting. It may not be rocket science, but there's something to an OC and/or QB coach knowing his system more intimately than anyone else, and (hopefully) having a more instinctual knowledge of the kind of player that would excel in it or allow the offense to flourish.
Mac Jones is one name that I continue to hear. I'm very familiar with his recruitment and he is very close with Loeffler going way back, as I've said. As of right now I think it's unlikely BC flips him, but he will visit and even though there may be some red flags indicating a flip could be difficult, Jones has known Loeffler long enough, and apparently Loeffler likes him and likes his chances enough, that they will press forward. He's not necessarily Option 1A, but he's a top tier target and would be a take. One thing about Jones: He is a pure passer. Maybe a little underrated as an athlete, not so fast after 15 yards of scrambling but very quick and good in the pocket before that. But man, he can really spin it and his rise to four stars reflects that. BC thinks they have a dark horse chance and I'm sure they think Patrick Towles could help on that visit.
Speaking of position and number, wants and needs, I'm hearing that BC will take "probably two." Sources have doubled down and said that right now that's the most likely number they'll sign at the position. They aren't panicking and obsessed with trying to fix a long-term depth chart in one class by reaching down the board if they don't like their options.
Fortunately, right now they like their options. We've profiled the recent offers. Aside from AJ Dillon, who is intriguing because he's local, big, strong and familiar with BC, I'm told that there aren't one or two running backs (of those offered thus far) who are on the cusp of a commitment or who seem far more interested in BC than others.
The staff has been getting a good reception from running backs (offers help with that) because they're selling an attractive situation. Aside from BC's success with some players at the position during years these recruits might remember (at least in one or two cases), the bigger issue is playing time and the fact that recruits know BC wants to run the ball. No matter how much emphasis they place on improving the pass game, running backs see a pretty open depth chart at a program known for a tough running game. That gives you a chance with some kids that you might not normally get quite as receptive a hearing from.
For that reason I don't expect them to pounce on the first decent back the staff feels like they can land. They need to get it right, they've got a ton of good options and many of whom already have offers, it's still very early, etc.
I don't know how many receivers they will take. I can tell you that the staff seems to be cautiously optimistic about the young talent here in the program. But, at BC this will always be an uphill climb and it always has to be a heavy focus/priority in order to keep pace. BC can easily replace TE's/H-Back's/LB's, but not so much receivers. They like what they've been getting but my perception is the new staff agrees that they have to continue to make a concerted effort to improve a lot here. That might be the most obvious conviction when it comes to emphasis, besides filling out the QB/RB depth charts.
I asked what kind of receiver the staff seems to be looking for in this class -- i.e. an emphasis on size, slots, speed, etc. -- and was told that they'll probably take best available, with the understanding that guys 6-foot-2 and up are preferred, mostly as NFL prospects down the line but also as the kind of potentially game-changing, program-changing, perception-changing players BC would love to hit a home run with. Last year the emphasis was mostly on size (and speed, perhaps to a slightly lesser extent, although that's always a focus at BC; speed isn't a given as it is somewhere like Clemson). This year maybe the focus is slightly less on size and more on best available.
Let's start with the quarterback who was supposedly offered recently -- K.C. Cureton out of Los Angeles High School in the city of the same name in California. I've done a little digging and have uncovered surprisingly little in the way of information about him from BC's end of things. I'm not saying he doesn't have an offer from Boston College, but I cannot say with certainty where exactly he stands on BC's board, and there may be some confusion on some level. Don't know what, exactly, but I'm pretty sure he at least has not been widely discussed in the BC football offices.
Speaking of quarterbacks, they will definitely take one and "very possibly could take two." They are not committed to taking two, at least to the point of reserving a spot in the class for an extra quarterback. And I don't think they're so sure of it that they will loudly broadcast the possibility to the quarterbacks they're recruiting, most of whom would surely prefer to be the lone player at the position in the class. But I think with the new offensive coordinator coming in he wants to make his stamp more on the position, with guys that he's able to feel most comfortable with, and that only comes from him doing the evaluation/recruiting. It may not be rocket science, but there's something to an OC and/or QB coach knowing his system more intimately than anyone else, and (hopefully) having a more instinctual knowledge of the kind of player that would excel in it or allow the offense to flourish.
Mac Jones is one name that I continue to hear. I'm very familiar with his recruitment and he is very close with Loeffler going way back, as I've said. As of right now I think it's unlikely BC flips him, but he will visit and even though there may be some red flags indicating a flip could be difficult, Jones has known Loeffler long enough, and apparently Loeffler likes him and likes his chances enough, that they will press forward. He's not necessarily Option 1A, but he's a top tier target and would be a take. One thing about Jones: He is a pure passer. Maybe a little underrated as an athlete, not so fast after 15 yards of scrambling but very quick and good in the pocket before that. But man, he can really spin it and his rise to four stars reflects that. BC thinks they have a dark horse chance and I'm sure they think Patrick Towles could help on that visit.
Speaking of position and number, wants and needs, I'm hearing that BC will take "probably two." Sources have doubled down and said that right now that's the most likely number they'll sign at the position. They aren't panicking and obsessed with trying to fix a long-term depth chart in one class by reaching down the board if they don't like their options.
Fortunately, right now they like their options. We've profiled the recent offers. Aside from AJ Dillon, who is intriguing because he's local, big, strong and familiar with BC, I'm told that there aren't one or two running backs (of those offered thus far) who are on the cusp of a commitment or who seem far more interested in BC than others.
The staff has been getting a good reception from running backs (offers help with that) because they're selling an attractive situation. Aside from BC's success with some players at the position during years these recruits might remember (at least in one or two cases), the bigger issue is playing time and the fact that recruits know BC wants to run the ball. No matter how much emphasis they place on improving the pass game, running backs see a pretty open depth chart at a program known for a tough running game. That gives you a chance with some kids that you might not normally get quite as receptive a hearing from.
For that reason I don't expect them to pounce on the first decent back the staff feels like they can land. They need to get it right, they've got a ton of good options and many of whom already have offers, it's still very early, etc.
I don't know how many receivers they will take. I can tell you that the staff seems to be cautiously optimistic about the young talent here in the program. But, at BC this will always be an uphill climb and it always has to be a heavy focus/priority in order to keep pace. BC can easily replace TE's/H-Back's/LB's, but not so much receivers. They like what they've been getting but my perception is the new staff agrees that they have to continue to make a concerted effort to improve a lot here. That might be the most obvious conviction when it comes to emphasis, besides filling out the QB/RB depth charts.
I asked what kind of receiver the staff seems to be looking for in this class -- i.e. an emphasis on size, slots, speed, etc. -- and was told that they'll probably take best available, with the understanding that guys 6-foot-2 and up are preferred, mostly as NFL prospects down the line but also as the kind of potentially game-changing, program-changing, perception-changing players BC would love to hit a home run with. Last year the emphasis was mostly on size (and speed, perhaps to a slightly lesser extent, although that's always a focus at BC; speed isn't a given as it is somewhere like Clemson). This year maybe the focus is slightly less on size and more on best available.
