University of Florida linebacker and former 2011 BC verbal commit Graham Stewart has decided to transfer. Stewart who is a graduate from Xavier High School (Middletown Ct.) was a last minute decommittment from the 2011 Boston College recruiting class, decided to play down at the Swamp instead. Stewart had a solid first year for Will Muschamp, playing special teams and blocking a punt for a touchdown in the Gator Bowl. Now after one year he has decided that he needs to be closer to home:
Graham has told me he wanted to leave to get closer to home due to some personal issues. Family always comes first with me and he needs to be closer to his family," head coach Will Muschamp said in a school release. "I’m thankful for his contributions to our team and wish him nothing but the best of luck. He will always have my support and backing if he needs any help in the future."
Closer to home? Well Boston College is only a two hour drive from Connecticut!
Of all the positions that Boston College needs help in, you'd have to say that linebacker is probably near the bottom of that list. Even with the loss of Luke Kuechly the Eagles still have a solid crew of linebackers for the next 3-5 years. Kevin Pierre-Louis and Sean Duggan are expected to anchor the depth chart, but role players like Nick Lifka, Steven Daniels and Steele Divitto all could be major contributors as well. Stewart sounds like he would be an excellent fit for the team, and be a great steal for the Eagles, especially after a tough 2012 recruiting season.
But as we all know BC still has a handful of scholarships to give out, and instead of giving them to walk ons and players that aren't heavily recruited, why not go after Stewart? But could his last second change of heart in 2011 still leave a sour taste in Spaz/GDF's mouth? Hopefully they understand that soft commitment switches are all part of the recruiting game, but then again not holding grudges has not been this regimes strong suit in the past.
Should be interesting, so stay tuned.