EARLY BIRD 2009 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2008
 
BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES
OFFENSE - 7
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 7
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Chris Crane-QB, Brandon Robinson-WR, Ryan Purvis-TE, Clif Ramsey-OG, Steve Aponavicius-K
DEFENSE: Ron Brace-DT, B.J. Raji-DT, Robert Francois-LB, Brian Toal-LB, Kevin Akins-CB, Paul Anderson-SS
Offensive Line / Linebacker

The big horses up front have traditionally been a staple in Boston, and only one starter departs. LB play has been the heart of the D. The LB position gets a huge piece of the puzzle back as ACC Defensive POY Mark Herzlich said he will stay for his senior year.

Quarterback / Defensive Tackle

Florida native Dominique Davis represents the second time in as many years that BC will operate with youth at the helm. He will have to go through the learning curve again as opposing defenses test him. Big, experienced DTs are no longer available to stuff the middle.

OT Anthony Castonzo
 
LB Mark Herzlich
 
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2009 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
 
BOSTON COLLEGE 2009 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Dominique Davis-So ..
FB James McCluskey-Jr Codi Boek-Jr
TB Josh Haden-So Montel Harris-So / Jeff Smith-Sr
WR Rich Gunnell-Sr Justin Jarvis-Sr / Clarence Megwa-Sr
WR Billy Flutie-Jr Ifeanyi Momah-Jr
TE Lars Anderson-So ..
OT Anthony Castonzo-Jr ..
OG .. ..
C Matt Tennant-Sr ..
OG Thomas Claiborne-Jr ..
OT Rich Lapham-Jr ..
K .. ..
 
BOSTON COLLEGE 2009 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Austin Giles-Sr Alex Albright-Jr
DT .. ..
DT Damik Scafe-Jr ..
DE Jim Ramella-Sr Brad Neman-Jr
LB Mark Herzlich-Sr ..
LB Mike McLaughlin-Sr ..
LB Will Thompson-So ..
CB Roderick Rollins-Sr ..
CB DeLeon Gause-Jr Donnie Fletcher-So
SS Marcellus Bowman-Sr ..
FS Wes Davis-Jr ..
P Ryan Quigley-So Billy Flutie-Jr
QUICK ANALYSIS

12/9/08
Since Boston College entered the ACC in 2005, the Eagles have yet to finish with anything less than nine wins. The past two seasons have been good to this Jesuit school, but winning the Atlantic Division both times has only equaled losing in the Championship Game. So it should be no surprise, despite the fact several gaps exist on the 2009 depth chart, that BC will be favored to win the division again. Coach Jagodzinski handled it well when QB Matt Ryan departed. Now a new head coach takes over in Defensive Coordinator Frank Spaziani. The act of training a new QB is something Spaziani will have to pick up on quickly as did Jgodzinski. RS frosh QB Dominique Davis was introduced to the rigors of ACC play after starter Chris Crane broke his collarbone during the Wake Forest game. Davis managed to salvage the season by winning the last two games, landing the Eagles in the title game once again. The running game should be counted on even more with guys like Montel Harris earning instant success in his first season. The backfield has a few quality options from which to choose. The usual “bulls” up front will benefit from the four starters who return. Truly, defense is what won the division crown this past season. The going will be a little rockier with large-framed DTs Raji and Brace moving on. The fantastic LB corps is not at its best unless ACC Defensive Player of the Year Mark Herzlich decides not to skip out early for the NFL. His departure would create an even larger void in the middle of this defense. On paper, this bunch doesn't look like they’re ready to defend their Atlantic Division reign. Given the weakness of this league, BC has to be considered at least a favorable candidate to get back to Tampa (at season's end).

 

BOSTON COLLEGE
2009 SCHEDULE

Sep. 12 Kent State
Oct. 24 at Notre Dame
TBA Northeastern
TBA Wake Forest
TBA North Carolina State
TBA Florida State
TBA North Carolina
TBA at Maryland
TBA at Clemson
TBA at Virginia
TBA at Virginia Tech
TBA 1 non-conference opponent