Breaking Down The Two-Deep For Boston College vs. Virginia Tech

Boston College Football released the depth chart this afternoon for this Saturday’s matchup against the Virginia Tech Hokies. As we get deeper into the season, these releases will start to become more business-as-usual, but for game one, we have a pretty interesting look at how the lineup is shaping up for the Eagles.

Can’t see the embed? Click here for the direct link to the two-deep.

As expected, there are plenty of new names rising to the top of the depth chart on defense — many of whom have a couple years of eligibility remaining. Of the 11 positions listed on the defensive side of the two-deep, eight have at least two years or more of eligibility remaining. The Eagles even have a redshirt freshman, nose tackle Kyiev Bennermon, listed as the number one for his position, and two others, DE Brandon Barlow and LB Joe Sparacio, listed as their position’s 1b.

So while the unit is definitely relatively inexperienced, there’s great potential for the group to develop over the next couple years. And with so many new faces getting an opportunity to make a name for themselves, you never know who might seize the role as a big-time playmaker off the bat.

Offense has plenty of interesting pieces to note. Of course, there’s Anthony Brown and AJ Dillon written in Sharpie atop the two deep at QB and RB respectively. With EJ Perry’s transfer to Brown over the offseason, there’s no clear backup under center. With four other QBs on the roster, Coach Addazio’s opted to go with the “OR” route for the #2, with redshirt sophomore Dennis Grosel — the only non-freshman on the roster at the position other than Brown — listed as the 2a, with redshirt freshman Matt Valecce as the 2b. Valecce’s gotten some positive notes coming out of camp, so it’ll be interesting to see who Addazzio puts on the field if the Eagles are looking to kill some time late or, God forbid, if Anthony Brown goes down with an injury.

The offensive line has a good mix of new and old faces. Redshirt freshman Tyler Vrabel, who has earned rave reviews in his short time on the Heights, has earned the starting spot at left tackle — but what’s really interesting is what Steve Addazio has put up on the depth chart at receiver.

The Eagles are incredibly deep at running back, but everyone knows AJ Dillon’s expected to be the workhorse at the position. With so much talent back there, Coach Addazio’s doing what he can to get some of our most talented players on the field. Redshirt junior Kobay White is locked in atop the wide receiver depth chart and has already emerged as a real star for BC, but Travis Levy, who looked tremendous at times in relief of Dillon last year at running back, is listed as the #2 at X receiver under White.

At Z receiver, the Eagles have Ben Glines atop the two-deep for what will likely be similar to a “Jeff Smith” sort of role. Glines has been a do-it-all player for the Eagles, and is listed as a WR/RB on the roster. He played receiver a bit last season, but was the team’s 2nd leading rusher after Dillon in both yards and attempts, so getting slotted in atop the depth chat at Z receiver will be more of a formal change in role for him. But with his do-it-all talent, expect him to see some carries.

That receiving corps should be fun to watch this year. Levy caught plenty of passes last year — 19, just one fewer than Jeff Smith — so he certainly has the hands. Glines has some good experience in the role as well. So with White primed for a big year, some electricity in the form of Levy and Glines in more formal receiver roles, plus the buzz surrounding true freshman Zay Flowers, Anthony Brown should have plenty of targets to throw at.

Last, but absolutely not least: HABEMUS KICKUM! Graduate transfer Aaron Boumerhi has indeed found himself in the role of starting kicker (certainly you wouldn’t have thought he’d have transferred here as a graduate student without that expectation). BC’s kicking issues have been well known — we kicked one successful field goal every two games on average last season, for God’s sake — so with Boumerhi’s apparent skill at the position, it’s a massive opportunity for BC to get quite a few more points in “tweener” situations where in the past the Eagles may have punted, or failed on fourth down and gave up field position.

Lots of interesting things to follow with some of the younger guys on the two-deep here as the season goes on. And of course, plenty to keep an eye out for this week in game one against the Hokies!