Boston College Eagles Football Offseason Preview

The Boston College Eagles had a promising season planned for 2021, but those plans were dashed when starting quarterback Phil Jurkovec got injured. We didn’t get to see Boston College play most of the season at full strength. Even after Jurkovec, who missed several weeks, returned late in the season, it was clear he wasn’t playing at the full extent of his capacities. This offense was not in a position to show its best qualities. It was a lost year for coach Jeff Hafley, who has recruited well and built a solid foundation for the program, but who ran into the injury bug and didn’t have his best players on the field. Now Boston College tries to make another run at the ACC Atlantic Division title with a healthy Jurkovec returning for another season. Let’s see if the Eagles can avoid big injuries and get a chance to at least prove whether they are an improved team or whether the hype was just smoke and mirrors.

Key Personnel Lost

Boston College’s big loss was offensive lineman Zion Johnson, who was a top-20 pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Boston College had a strong offensive line in 2021, and Johnson was easily the best player in that particular position group. It will be fascinating to see how well the offensive line can perform in 2022 without Johnson. One piece of a newly reworked offensive line is tight end George Takacs, an incoming transfer who will also be able to help the Eagles in the passing game. It will be interesting to see how well Takacs can fare as a blocker within the Boston College offense.

Important Incoming Freshmen

Cornerback Amari Jackson, linebacker Edwin Kolenge, tight end Jeremiah Franklin, offensive tackle Noah Clifford, and punter Sam Candiotti are all new freshmen with the program. They enrolled at the school before summer and have therefore been able to get acclimated to the program. Some incoming players at various schools throughout the country aren’t able to enroll until the summer, which puts them behind the curve in terms of adjusting to college life and, more particularly, to their new team situation. Boston College hopes to get meaningful production from at least some of these freshmen, in order to compete in what should be a ferocious Atlantic Division this year.

Key Position Battles

The Boston College offense has experienced skill players, and even though the offensive line loses Zion Johnson, it still has some veteran performers coming back for another year. The real question mark of this team is the defensive line. Can it stand up to the good offensive lines in the division and the conference, most notably Clemson’s? If the Boston College defensive line can exceed expectations, then the team as a whole can exceed expectations as well. If the defensive line plays poorly, it’s hard to see this season turning out well for Hafley and the rest of his coaching staff in New England.

Biggest Offseason Goal(s)

A combination of fortifying line play and putting Phil Jurkovec in the best possible position to succeed are the two biggest goals in Chestnut Hill before Week 1 of the season begins. If Hafley can achieve those goals, he will have reason to be optimistic about the season ahead.