Boston College Eagles Online Sportsbook
Offensive Analysis
The loss of RB Derrick Knight takes away the focal point of the offense, but the Eagles should still put up solid overall numbers with the emergence of QB Paul Peterson and a veteran receiving corps to work with. There are three great running back prospects to carry the running game, while the offensive line should be fine in time.
Star of the offense: Senior QB Paul Peterson
Player that has to step up and become a star: Sophomore RB Jeff Ross
Unsung star on the rise: Ross
Best pro prospect: Sophomore OT Jeremy Trueblood
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Peterson, 2) Trueblood, 3) TE Dave
Kashetta
Strength of the offense: Quarterback
Weakness of the offense: Offensive line depth
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Paul Peterson, Sr. - Peterson took the job by the horns as last year went on and finished with 1,124 yards and ten touchdown passes. Most impressively, he led the Eagles to a win in the San Francisco Bowl throwing for 224 yards and two touchdown passes. The former JUCO transfer isn't quite as mobile as Quinton Porter, but he can move.
Top Backups
- Quinton Porter, Sr. - Porter is a big passer with excellent mobility and experience in the offense. He was the team's leading quarterback last year throwing for 1,764 yards and 14 touchdowns, but he didn't provide the same spark that Paul Peterson did. He'll still get every opportunity to win the starting job this summer.
- Karim El Nokali, Soph. - He might be the clear number three in the mix, but he has great size and a huge arm. He'll learn the system for one more year before starring in 2005. It'll be interesting to see if he gets any game experience.
The Skinny: Don't expect too much of a major quarterback controversy
as both Paul Peterson and Quinton Porter can play, but Peterson will be the
number one when it all shakes out. The Eagles can win with either quarterback.
Player to keep an eye on: Matt Ryan ... Quarterback Rating: 7.5
Running Backs
Projected Starter
- Jeff Ross, Soph. - All Ross has to do is try and replace the school's all-time leading rusher, Derrick Knight. It's not like he doesn't have talent as a 6-0, 195-pound back with tremendous speed and excellent overall skills. He's not going to be Knight, but don't be shocked if he turns into an excellent player right away. He ran for 33 yards last year on seven carries and tore off 72 yards in the spring game.
- Fullback Everett Lee, Sr. - The 208-pound former walk-on might just be keeping the seat warm until transfer Mark Palmer takes over. He hasn't made much of an impact so far and is only 208 pounds, but at the very least he'll be in the starting mix.
Top Backups
- L.V. Whitworth, RFr. - At 215 pounds, Whitworth is a bruiser with a good nose around the goal line. He'll be a strong backup behind the quicker Jeff Ross.
- Andre Callender, RFr. - The potential home-run hitter in the corps. Callender was one of the nation's elite high hurdlers and should turn into an interesting number three option. He also has a little bit of power.
- Paddy Lynch, Soph. - The former linebacker moved to fullback to provide more power to the mix. He'll get every shot to take over the starting job and should be used on obvious running situations.
- Mark Palmer, Soph. - Palmer, a transfer, is ready to roll after sitting out all last year The coaching staff loves his potential and thinks he'll be the starting fullback soon.
The Skinny: Much will be made of the loss of 2,163 yards and 21 touchdowns
of production of Derrick Knight and Horace Dodd, but don't expect the running
game to suddenly fall off the map. Jeff Ross has all the makings of the next
great BC back, while L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender should be fine backups.
Greg Toal will be missed at fullback.
Player to keep an eye on: Jeff Ross ... Running Back Rating: 6
Receivers
Projected Starters
- Grant Adams, Sr. - Adams has been a more than reliable receiver over the past two seasons leading the Eagles with 46 catches for 720 yards and five touchdowns last year. He's a smart player able to come up with the big play even though he's not a blazing number one receiver.
- Joel Hazard, Sr. - Hazard didn't quite have the breakout season hoped not getting in the end zone, but he did finish third on the team with 32 gabs for 401 yards. He's very quick and has become a good target, and now he has to become dangerous to take the heat off Grant Adams.
- Tight end Dave Kashetta, Sr. - Kashetta has been a top pas catching tight end for the last few years and should be one of the Big East's best this season. The 6-4, 256-pound senior made 18 grabs for 262 yards and four touchdowns, but overall consistency in his game is a problem. He can block as well as stretch the field as one of the team's better mid-range targets.
Top Backups
- Larry Lester, Jr. - The former defensive back turned into a speedy receiver making 17 catches for 378 yards and five touchdowns. Most importantly, he became the deep threat the team so desperately needed averaging 22.2 yards per catch. He'll backup Grant Adams.
- Jason Lilly, Soph. - Lilly has the best overall combination of skills. He's 6-1, 213 pound and has blazing sprinter's speed. He caught 13 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown last year and should emerge as more of a force playing behind Joel Hazard.
- Justin Hinds, Sr. - At 271 pounds, Hinds is the blocker in the tight end mix. The former defensive lineman won't catch the ball much, but he'll be devastating in the running game.
The Skinny: This is a very good, very experienced and very reliable
group even though there isn't any star power. The starters return and should
be fine, but it's players like Jason Lilly and Larry Lester adding more pop
to the corps that makes it one of the better unsung groups in the Big East.
Dave Kashetta has all the tools to be a superstar tight end.
Player to keep an eye on: Dave Kashetta ... Receiver Rating: 7.5
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle Jeremy Trueblood, Soph. - Trueblood is a 6-8, 315-pound mountain who can be a devastating run blocker at times. He's not bad at pass protection as defenders have a hard time getting around him and avoiding his long arms. He'll start on the left side again.
- Guard James Marten, Soph. - The 312-pound Marten moved from defense to offensive line and was a strong backup behind Jeremy Trueblood. Now he'll move to guard playing alongside Trueblood on the left side.
- Center Pat Ross, Jr. - Ross did a good job replacing all-star Dan Koppen in the middle, and now he should make his own name for himself. He might not be the center the now-New England Patriot star was, but he's a big player and a good blocker.
- Guard Josh Beekman, Soph. - At 320-pounds Beekman is a big bodied run blocker who had a fantastic freshman season filling in for various injured starters. Now he has the right guard spot all to himself.
- Tackle Gosder Cherilus, RFr. - The 6-7, 280-pound redshirt freshman will have to use all his size and athleticism to quickly become a factor on the right side. He was good enough to be considered to play as a true freshman, but they saved his redshirt status.
Top Backups
- C Chris Hathy, Jr. - At 320 pounds, Hathy is a huge option to come in at center. He can also play guard if needed.
- T Ty Hall, RFr. - Out of all the redshirt freshmen needing to provide the depth, the 6-4, 278-pound Hall has the most upside. He'll see time playing behind Gosder Cherilus on the right side.
The Skinny: There's no developed depth and only two starters return,
but this should be a strong line thanks to OT Jeremy Trueblood and C Pat Ross.
OT Gosder Cherilus is a budding star, so the only real concern is at guard
needing big production right away. Overall the line has to be better in pass
protection after allowing 24 sacks.
Player to keep an eye on: Gosder Cherilus ... Offensive Line Rating: 6
