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Name: Gabriel McClary
Position: Defensive Back
Number: 14
Year: Senior
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 204
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
High School: Winter Park
2016 Stats: McClary played in all 13 games in 2016, making 4 starts. In his playtime, he recorded 21 tackles and defended one pass.
Projections: There’s a distinct lack of size in the Boston College secondary, and McClary is clearly the largest Eagle in the position group. With the wide-receiver talent in the ACC, the size will be absolutely help Anthony Campanile’s guys to slow down the opposition. The size will also help McClary contribute in run support. I’d expect a slight increase in the number of passes defended and maybe a pick or two, but the biggest increase should be in tackles/tackles for loss.
Over/Under: 6 TFL, 4 passes defended, 1 interception
How’d He Get Here: Originally recruited as a wide receiver by former coach Todd Fitch (now offensive coordinator with Louisiana Tech, and not part of the faculty at UC Berkeley as google might tell you), McClary made the position switch in 2015. As a three star recruit, he came out of Winter Park High School with 10 reported offers, from schools including Arizona, North Carolina, Iowa State, South Florida, and Illinois.
You can watch his high school highlights below.
Quotables from Campanile: "I just think [the defensive backs] have grown exponentially this spring, Isaac Yiadom's had a great spring. He really has done a lot of great things. Taj-Amir Torres has had a great spring. Will Harris has elevated his game. Lukas Denis has done a great job for us. Gabriel McClary has done a really good job in the run game. A lot of positives there." -Anthony Campanile
Fun facts: Gabe is the son of Thomas McClary, the founder of the funk and soul band Commodores. You can watch a video that BC put together about it here.