Yiadom to strut stuff in Senior Bowl
BC NOTEBOOK
Boston College cornerback Isaac Yiadom’s college football career will extend beyond the New Era Pinstripe Bowl game against Iowa on Dec.27 at Yankee Stadium.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior from Worcester was tendered an 11th-hour invitation yesterday to participate in the Reese’s Senior Bowl on Jan.27 in Mobile, Ala.
Yiadom was the third BC player selected, joining preseason All-America defensive end Harold Landry and cornerback Kamrin Moore but could be the only Eagle in uniform on game day.
Landry hasn’t played since the Eagles 41-10 victory at Virginia on Oct.21 due to an ongoing ankle problem, and Moore suffered a seasonending shoulder injury in a 17-14 home loss to North Carolina State on Nov. 11.
Yiadom is thrilled with the opportunity to display his talents in a pro style secondary under the direction of NFL coaches. Over the years, BC sent 48 players to the Senior Bowl, the latest being safety John Johnson who was selected by the Rams in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.
“I’m excited about that,” said Yiadom during a media gathering yesterday at Conte Forum. “I’m excited about it because it is giving me another chance to show a lot of people who I am and how good I can play and what I can do.”
Yiadom caught the attention of BC coach Steve Addazio at a summer camp while he was playing for Doherty High School in Worcester.
Yiadom led BC in pass breakups (10) last year and maintained his cover intensity in 12 starts this season. Yiadom finished the season with 51 tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions for one of the top defensive backfields in the country. BC finished tied for fifth nationally with 18 interceptions.
“Isaac has great physical size and fantastic speed,” said Addazio. “A lot of guys at the next level are recognizing that.”
Sweeper man
After the first two games of the season against Northern Illinois and Wake Forest, the Eagles’ leading rusher was wide receiver Thadd Smith with 101 yards on 11 carries.
Addazio and offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler made the jet sweep an integral component of the BC ground game with Smith the primary practitioner. Smith finished the season third in rushing with 287 yards on 35 attempts for a stellar 8.2 average.
Smith had a 76-yard touchdown run at Virginia and a 12-yarder at home against NC State. Smith’s ability to get to the edge opened up the middle of opposing defenses for tailbacks AJ Dillion and Jon Hilliman.
“The jet sweep this year has been successful for us,” said Smith. “It helps the whole offense, the passing game, the inside game and the outside game (and) it keeps the defense honest.”
Jersey boys
Two BC seniors from the Garden State, wide receiver Charlie Callinan and defensive tackle Noa Merritt, are excited to play their final game so close to home.
Callinan is from Westfield, N.J., and was elected the Eagles’ offensive captain when center Jon Baker suffered a season-ending knee injury. Callinan had a career-high seven receptions for 82 yards and two touchdowns against Notre Dame on Sept. 16.
“I get to play in my backyard and I grew up going to Yankees games,” said Callinan.
Merritt is from Sparta, N.J., and started 12 games this season. Merritt recorded two sacks in BC’s win over UConn at Fenway Park on Nov. 18.