Better Know The Dudes 2015: The Freshmen (Offense Edition)

Truth time, I had a busy summer and did a poor job of planning out this extensive post series. Even writing two of these almost daily, I ran out of time. So to ensure that all the players are covered, I am going to smush all of the freshmen together into two more posts. Today we will quickly go over the offense, tomorrow the defense. And then finally, this cursed series will be completed just in time for Maine week coverage.

Jeff Smith
Number: #5
Position: Quarterback
National Signing Day Post: Click Here
2015 Projection: Darius Wade is going to be the starting quarterback going into this season, but Smith has turned heads this summer. It looks like he has leapfrogged Troy Flutie on the two deep, but if Wade struggles could he start? He has been compared to Tyler Murphy, but with a better arm. Certainly this could be a position to watch as the year goes on.

John Fadule
Number: #14
Position: Quarterback
National Signing Day Post: N/A
2015 Projection: A walk on that came to the team in the summer. He took end of the game snaps with the offense, but projects to be a practice squad player at this point

Elijah Robinson
Number: #15
Position: Wide Receiver
National Signing Day Post: Click Here
2015 Projection: He transitioned to wide receiver this summer, a position he played in high school. Immediately he has made an impact on a wide receiver core that has been banged up. He has positioned himself to play right away, and could be a big help in the passing game.

Ben Glines
Number: #19
Position: Wide Receiver
National Signing Day Post: Click Here
2015 Projection: After the first scrimmage, in which he caught six passes for first downs, it appeared that Glines was ready to contribute immediately. But he suffered an injury later in camp, one that sounds pretty severe (according to Eagle in Atlanta). If he can't get on the field by early October, I would expect that Addazio may want to redshirt him to save the eligibility.

Jordan Gowins
Number: #34
Position: Running Back
National Signing Day Post: Click Here
2015 Projection: BC has four running backs who look to see action this year: Myles Willis, Marcus Outlow, David Dudeck, and Jon Hilliman. Can he break through to see action this year? Certainly he can, especially at a position that is notorious for having players nicked and bruised. He could be redshirted, but more than likely he will see some playing time at some point this season.

Wyatt Knopfke
Number: #55
Position: Offensive Lineman
National Signing Day Post: Click Here
2015 Projection: Addazio picked up a good stable of offensive linemen this recruiting class, and Knopfke, from Florida, is certainly one of the more heralded. Offensive linemen seldom start in college, especially at a school like Boston College, where the schemes are quite varied and complex. Addazio had only one freshmen see time last year (Jon Baker), and if he has his way it looks like Chris Lindstrom may be the only freshman to see the field this year on the line, which would make sense since he had the spring to practice. Expect Knopfke, barring injuries on the two deep, to redshirt this season.

Chris Lindstrom
Number: #65
Position: Offensive Lineman
National Signing Day Post: Click Here
2015 Projection: This is an offensive linemen that you want to become familiar with quickly. He got a head start on the other offensive linemen when he enrolled in the spring and got the opportunity to practice with the team. Will he start? It looks unlikely to begin the season, but Addazio is very high on him, and he could see playing time early, especially if there is an injury, or see time against Maine/Howard in garbage time to start the season.

Anthony Palazzolo
Number: #66 
Position: Offensive Lineman
National Signing Day Post: Click Here
2015 Projection: Addazio has been really excited about the group of offensive lineman from this class. However, I haven't heard Palazzolo's name mentioned much this summer. He is huge (6'6, 315lbs), projecting as an offensive tackle. The starting line seems set, but he could earn his way on the two deep easily.

Anthony Monteiro
Number: #67
Position: Offensive Lineman
National Signing Day Post: Click Here
2015 Projection: Haven't heard Monteiro's name brought up a lot this summer, so it would be surprising if he made the two deep out of camp. As always, injuries happen, so there's that possibility that he could play, but if Addazio had his way he would do what he does with most offensive linemen and have them redshirt a year with a full year of practice under their belts.

John Phillips
Number: 70
Position: Offensive Lineman
National Signing Day Post: Click Here
2015 Projection: He came in as sort of a mystery, someone that didn't have much press in the recruiting circles. However, he is a big dude, and someone that Addazio is very excited about. I'm sure Addazio would like to stagger some of the offensive linemen for scholarship purposes, but if needed Phillips could be a guy that jumps into the mix kind of like what Jon Baker did last year.

Nolan Borgersen
Number: #82
Position: Wide Receiver
National Signing Day Post: Click Here
2015 Projection: He came to BC as one of the most heralded receivers in NJ, breaking all sorts of state records. Borgersen enrolled early, but unfortunately an undisclosed injury has sidelined him for almost all of the summer camp. Haven't heard what the severity of the injury is, but it could make or break whether he plays this season.

Jake Burt
Number: #84
Position: Tight End
National Signing Day Post: Click Here
2015 Projection: Haven't heard his name much this summer. He's got good height for a tight end, but could fill out a little more before he's ready. BC has Tommy Sweeney, Louie Addazio, and Chris Garrison looking to play the position, along with newcomer Brendan Nosovitch. Burt probably will redshirt this year.

Chase Pankey
Number: #85
Position: Wide Receiver
National Signing Day Post: Click Here
2015 Projection: BC's wide outs have taken a hit this summer as Harrison Jackson, Ben Glines, and Nolan Bergerson have all been sidelined with injuries. Pankey has taken advantage of that, at least in scrimmages, where he caught a bomb from Jeff Smith for a touchdown. With the depth chart in flux, Pankey could easily see the field this year.

Chris Garrison
Number: #86
Position: Wide Receiver/Tight End
National Signing Day Post: Click Here
2015 Projection: He is that big wide receiver that Addazio needs, though it's unclear whether he'll be more of a tight end or an edge receiver. The tight ends have been banged up this summer, so he has been out there a lot, and has been making plays. Garrison could be that receiving tight end BC has lacked since C.J. Parsons, which would be crucial for Darius Wade as a safety valve in the passing offense. Look for Garrison to be on the field and to make plays this season.

And One Transfer:

Brendan Nosovitch
Number: #24
Position: Wide Receiver/Tight End
Official Transfer Post: Click Here
2015 Projection: Nosovitch came to the Eagles from South Carolina, where he struggled to crack the depth chart at the quarterback position. While with the Gamecocks, however, he did take reps at tight end. He fits a need BC has at the H-back position, and Nosovitch has two years of eligibility to play the position. He started camp late, so he may not contribute right away as he learns the play book, but expect him to be contributing more and more as the season progresses.