Bill O’Brien replenishes BC’s football roster with 27 transfers

In a span of two weeks earlier this month, Boston Faculty soccer welcomed 45 potential transfers to campus.

The employees hosted the gamers and their households, confirmed them round and shared what this system needed to provide, and mentioned a possible future in Chestnut Hill.

“It’s like pace relationship,” stated BC head coach Invoice O’Brien. “It’s a really, very concerned course of that occurs shortly.”

When he took over the BC job in 2024, O’Brien didn’t envision the game’s ever-changing panorama evolving as quickly because it has. With only one portal window for the primary time this yr, groups and gamers have needed to adapt, belief their intestine, and take a collective leap of religion.

Finally, the Eagles landed 27 of these 45 gamers to compile a category at present ranked 57th nationally on 247 Sports activities and twelfth within the Atlantic Coast Convention. Pair that with the 23 incoming freshmen — eight of whom have already arrived — and it’s not hyperbole to say half the crew might be new subsequent season.

A part of that’s out of necessity, as many key contributors both graduated or transferred, however a part of it’s by design. O’Brien spoke Tuesday afternoon about his need to place the 2025 season prior to now and retool for the current and future.

“It’s a brand-new crew,” O’Brien stated. “New coaches, new crew. We’re simply excited to get going.”

Names to know

Whereas it’s unlikely that every one 27 transfers will see common motion, it’s honest to anticipate a good quantity will earn beginning roles.

“These guys aren’t transferring to take a seat on the bench,” O’Brien stated.

A few of the most intriguing names embody: 6-foot-1-inch, 190-pound quarterback Mason McKenzie (Saginaw Valley State), 5-11, 195-pound operating again Evan Dickens (Liberty), 6-2, 205-pound linebacker Kris Jones (Georgia), 6-foot, 223-pound linebacker Justin Medlock (Southern Methodist), and 5-11, 195-pound defensive again Kam Howard (Alabama).

After Trinidad Chambliss earned Nice Lakes Intercollegiate Convention Participant of the 12 months honors at Division 2 Ferris State earlier than starring at Ole Miss this season, the reigning convention MVP McKenzie is hoping to comply with the same trajectory at BC.

O’Brien highlighted McKenzie’s potential to see the sector, make off-schedule performs, and lean on his athleticism.

“We’re not going to attempt to stuff him right into a system that doesn’t match,” O’Brien stated of McKenzie, who threw for 4,301 yards and 31 touchdowns in 25 video games at Saginaw Valley State.

Dickens completed third within the nation in speeding yards per recreation (121.7) and tied for sixth with 16 speeding touchdowns. Jones, a former four-star recruit out of highschool, noticed motion in 13 video games for the Bulldogs.

Medlock had 25 tackles, a sack, and a 96-yard pick-six final yr, and his groups have a 38-16 file over 4 years. Howard and fellow 6-foot, 185-pound defensive again Kevyn Humes (Maryland) have been each highschool teammates with returning BC star KP Worth at Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore.

Again in line

Out of the 27 transfers, six are offensive linemen: 6-5, 285-pound Trevon Humphrey (North Carolina Central), 6-5, 300-pound Reggie Jackson (Jacksonville State), 6-8, 288-pound Veguer Jean-Jumeau Jr. (Tennessee State), 6-4, 290-pound Jani Norwood (North Carolina), 6-4, 310-pound Kristian Phillips (Michigan State), and 6-4, 300-pound Owen Snively (Japanese Michigan).

The Eagles completed fifteenth within the convention in speeding yards per recreation (103.9) final season and are clearly making some extent to return to their roots.

“After we watched them on movie, we felt like they have been powerful and athletic,” O’Brien stated of the brand new group.

Defensively, the Eagles have been final within the convention with 17 sacks. They sorely missed 2024 ACC Defensive Participant of the 12 months Donovan Ezeiruaku and ended up struggling in that space all season.

Jones, Medlock, defensive finish Demetrius Ballard (Buffalo), 6-3, 309-pound defensive deal with/finish KJ Sampson (Florida State), and 6-1, 224-pound linebacker Anthony Palano (Washington State) might assist.

“Look, there’s loads we’ve got to enhance on,” O’Brien stated.

Teaching them up

As they welcome new gamers to campus, the Eagles can even say hi there to a number of new coaches.

Ted Roof will change Tim Lewis because the crew’s defensive coordinator. Offensive coordinator Will Lawing won’t return this season.

Roof, previously the pinnacle coach at Duke, additionally has stops at Alabama, Auburn, and Oklahoma, amongst others, and was most lately the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Central Florida in 2024.

“He’s a really aggressive, attacking-style of protection,” O’Brien stated.

Mike Hart, Michigan’s all-time main rusher, is predicted to hitch the Eagles as operating backs coach. Kurt Anderson, who has coached at Northwestern, Arkansas, and extra, will lead the offensive line. Joe Dailey is again to teach the large receivers as soon as once more.

O’Brien reiterated Tuesday that he doesn’t plan on going wherever anytime quickly.

“I’ve three years left on a five-year contract,” he stated. “I’m going to work my butt off to attempt to get this factor proper.”

Demetrius Ballard – defensive finish, Buffalo

Evan Dickens – operating again, Liberty

Javarius Inexperienced – large receiver, North Carolina

Kam Howard – defensive again, Alabama

Christian Hudson – defensive deal with, Colorado

Kevyn Humes – defensive again, Maryland

Trevon Humphrey – offensive deal with, North Carolina Central

Reggie Jackson – offensive deal with, Jacksonville State

Veguer Jean Jumeau Jr. – offensive deal with, Tennessee State

Kris Jones – outdoors linebacker/defensive finish, Georgia

Chandler Jordan – defensive again, Georgia State

Bodie Kahoun – linebacker, Notre Dame

Cam Kossman – tight finish, Florida

Bryce LaFollette – punter, Towson State

Mason McKenzie – quarterback, Saginaw Valley State

Justin Medlock – linebacker, Southern Methodist

Jani Norwood – offensive lineman, North Carolina

John Owens – lengthy snapper, Holy Cross

Anthony Palano – inside linebacker, Washington State

Kristian Phillips – offensive guard/deal with, Michigan State

Nolan Ray – operating again, Maryland

KJ Sampson – defensive deal with/defensive finish, Florida State

Owen Snively – inside offensive lineman, Japanese Michigan

Reed Swanson – large receiver, Colgate

Jackson Wade – slot receiver, Florida

Grayson Wilson – quarterback, Arkansas

Landon Wright – large receiver, Washington State

By place

OL: 6

WR: 4

LB: 4

DL: 3

DB: 3

QB: 2

RB: 2

TE: 1

P: 1

LS: 1