Everett feeds BC
Maitre adds to incoming Tide
Everett High has established a pipeline to the Boston College secondary that is tied to the number 21.
Former BC cornerback Manny Asprilla started the trend as a mainstay in the Eagles secondary from 20112014. Junior free safety Lukas Denis inherited the No. 21 jersey from Asprilla and helped maintain BC’s position as one of the top defensive backfields in the nation.
Now the Everrett-to-BC path could extend into the 2021 season as Everett cornerback Jason Maitre joined 18 other recruits yesterday in officially signing as part of the incoming class.
“After next year when I leave, I intend to pass on my number just as Manny passed his number on to me,” Denis said following yesterday’s practice under the bubble at Alumni Stadium where the Eagles were preparing for their Dec. 27 matchup with Iowa in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. “We are going to keep it going and see how far we can take it.”
Maitre excelled as a wide receiver, cornerback and return specialist for retiring Everett coach John DiBiaso. Maitre had nine touchdowns receptions and scored on three runs, two punt returns and a kick return as a senior. Maitre is a ball hawk in the Denis tradition with nine career interceptions.
Said Denis of Maitre: “I helped him on his official visit and I knew him all through high school. He is a very smart hard-working kid and fast and quick.
“I can see him making an impact especially on defense and on the return game on special teams. He is a hard worker and he wants to learn.”
Denis said Maitre was well-prepared at Everett.
“They teach you how to work and how to keep your head on right,” he said of Everett. “(Maitre) is determined to be the best player he can be.”
The coattails of freshman tailback and ACC Rookie of the Year AJ Dillon helped BC land three prospects from his alma mater, Lawrence Academy: tight end Joey Luchetti of Wayland, defensive tackle Ryan Betro of Walpole and offensive lineman Finn Dirstine of Acton.
Lawrence Academy is coached by former BC tackle Paul Zukauskas of Weymouth, who captained the Eagles in 2000. BC sophomore tight end Chris Garrison, redshirt freshman linebacker Doug Rodier and redshirt freshman offensive lineman Eddy Fish all played at Lawrence Academy.
“I feel like we’ve established an influence here at BC,” Dillon said. “Lawrence Academy is one of those places that has great academics, a great culture and . . . family.”
Of the 19 signees BC coach Steve Addazio welcomed, 13 hail from New England, New York and New Jersey. The recruiting class includes five linebackers, three offensive linemen, three defensive backs, two defensive tackles, two quarterbacks, a running back, specialist, tight end and a wide receiver.
The most recognizable surname on the list is offensive lineman Tyler Vrabel of Bellaire, Texas. He is the son of former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel, now the Houston Texans defensive coordinator.
“We brought some great future Eagles in here that will represent Boston College,” Addazio said. “They want to excel on the football field and excel in the classroom and I believe we have hit on our class.”