Food Chain: Top Five Senior Contributors To Football Program

It's Senior Day on the Heights, as we bid farewell to a senior class that has been through three coaching changes. The class hasn't thrown in the towel just yet, and has their sights set on another bowl game.

"We have a chance to go to a bowl game and compete in late December or early January,'' said Lapham, who is listed as questionable for Virginia. "That's all you can ask for.

"There's a lot at stake for the senior class. The bowl legacy is definitely important. You don't want to be remembered as the people who were there when the streak ended.

"To us, playing in a bowl game is the ultimate goal, but it's even more of a goal to keep the streak alive."

Let's take a look at the five top contributors from this year's senior class. We consider the these nine seniors and rank our top 5 from five to one.

Food Chain: Top Five Contributors to Football Program From Senior Class

Anthony Castonzo, OL

Jeff: Castonzo is the only offensive lineman to start every game this season. Castonzo has been great for the Eagles even when the offensive line unit has not been. Castonzo is also a leader off the field and was trying for a Rhodes scholarship this year. That unfortunately did not pan out but Castonzo is sure to still be a high draft pick in the NFL and now he won't have that difficult decision to worry about.

Thomas Claiborne, OL

Brian: Even though Claiborne has had his disagreements with Spaz this year, he has still served as an emotional leader on one of the better offensive lines this program has seen. Claiborne was an all-ACC selection in just his sophomore year, after making the move from defensive line. He started 25 games at right guard his sophomore and junior years.  

Ifeanyi Momah, WR

Jeff: From the moment Momah first lined up out wide in the redzone, BC fans thought he would catch dozens of fade routes for TDs. Unfortunately though, his career total now stands at 6 TD catches. The idea of Momah switching to DE was tossed around this season also and that couldn't happen because of lack of depth at WR. Momah has had a nice career, but because of his size and athletic ability, I think most people had higher expectations and perhaps unfair expectations for him.

Rich Lapham, OL

Brian: Along with Claiborne and Castonzo, Lapham has been a consistent contributor on an Eagles offensive line that has helped Montel Harris break the school's freshman, sophomore and junior rushing records. In Lapham's last two seasons, the Eagles O Line unit has finished in the Top 25 in sacks allowed, despite having a seemingly revolving door under center.

Alex Albright, DE

Jeff: This season Albright really blossomed before getting injured. Between sacks and even interceptions he was making a real difference on the defensive side of the ball. Albright has spent much more time than we would have liked on the injury report and he will finish his career that way if BC can not make a bowl game.

Jordon McMichael, TE

Brian: McMichael, a highly regarded tight end recruit, hasn't been used much in the Eagles passing game the past two seasons. McMichael will probably best be remembered for his touchdown catch on a Billy Flutie fake FG pass in the Atlantic Division-clinching game in 2008. 

Wes Davis, FS

Jeff: As a team captain, you can imagine that Davis has meant a lot to this defense that has been spectacular during his four years. Davis has had plenty of interceptions and big plays from his FS position but has also been a great contributor on special teams. Davis is another player that will unfortunately finish his career on the injury report.

DeLeon Gause, DB

Brian: Gause has been an underrated contributor to a strong Eagles secondary the pass few years. He's been a solid contributor on a unit that has had to be strong given opposing offense's propensity to throw the ball and abandon the run. And he's also helped fill a void on the roster in both the punt and kick return teams.  

Damik Scafe, DT

Jeff: He's no B.J. Raji, but Scafe has been great at the DT position. Unfortunately, during his career, he has spent just as much time on the injured list as he has the field. Even though undersized for the position a healthy Scafe is as good as most DTs in the conference.

Brian's Food Chain

5. Rich Lapham - Both Lapham and Claiborne have helped pave the way for Montel Harris on the ground, and have achieved despite multiple changes in blocking schemes
4. Thomas Claiborne - He's had his ups and downs with the coaching staff this season, but has been a solid contributor on the O-Line. 
3. Wes Davis - Probably the biggest leader of a ball-hawking defense that has led the country in interceptions the past few years.
1. Anthony Castonzo - Guys that start on the offensive line since their freshman year don't come around too often. 
1. Mark Herzlich - Herzlich has contributed as much on the field as he has off it over his four years on the Heights.

Jeff's Food Chain

5. Alex Albright - The best DE we've had for a while who just couldn't stay healthy.
4. Wes Davis - A leader on the defense.
3. Damik Scafe - It's tough to find defensive tackles in college.
2. Anthony Castonzo - The best NFL prospect we have.
1. Mark Herzlich - The story has already been told. An interception with a cast on his hand is his most memorable moment for me this season, but certainly not his career.