Analyzing The Boston College Football Recruiting Class Of 2017

Boston College football has their class of 2017, now it’s time for the staff to see whether they hit or miss on many of the kids who signed on. First off, the first gut reaction is the class falls into line with what we expect with Steve Addazio. According to Rivals they are dead last in the ACC, and 66th in the country. Not numbers that are horribly impressive. But hey, Addazio says it’s not about the numbers, these are BC kids and he’s going to coach them up. Let’s see if that is true or just coach speak.

Boston College didn’t have any huge last minute splashes like they have in the past. In 2016 we got Elijah Johnson, who went on to start by the end of the season. Other years BC landed Tyler Rouse at the very end.

Biggest Surprise

Landing AJ Dillon: When he flipped from Michigan to BC I was completely shocked. The rumors were flying that this was going to happen, but to actually see him land at Chestnut Hill was stunning. We have seen dozens of elite recruits go elsewhere, but for Addazio to actually lose one, then convince him to return, that was pretty impressive.

Diamond In the Rough

OL Ben Petrula and DB Brandon Sebastian: I’m going to take the easy way out here and take two players, both of whom I believe will contribute quickly. Petrula, a St. Peter’s Prep grad had a solid offer sheet before he committed to BC. Sebastian is an athletic freak, who could be ready to land on the depth chart sooner rather than later. He also chose Boston College over Michigan, so take that for what it’s worth.

Instant Contributor

Travis Levy. Already on campus, and the Delaware Gatorade Player of the Year, Boston College is going to need help at the running back position with the loss of Tyler Rouse and Myles Willis. Dillon will get his chance, but he’s coming back from an injury, and Levy will be ready for some of those handoffs early in the season.

Biggest Disappointment

Failing To land Kwity Paye. There are certain decommits that sting, and this one probably will be up there. The Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year could have been a perfect plug in at defensive tackle after Harold Landry graduates at the end of this year. I’ve had someone who covers Paye’s games tell me he is the best player he’s ever seen out of Rhode Island.

Where Did They Come From?

The Class of 2017 came from many of the usual hunting groups for the Eagles. There were three from California, Connecticut, and New York, only two from Massachusetts. The Eagles landed one from Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Alabama and New Hampshire. The State with the most recruits for the Eagles? That would be the State of New Jersey.