Dillon pumps up the tempo
RB ‘loves’ system
Boston College tailback AJ Dillon thrives when the tempo of the game matches his speed out of the backfield.
Dillon enjoyed a recordbreaking season as a true freshman in 2017 within the framework of the Eagles’ relentless race with the play clock. He started 13 games and rushed for a school freshman record 1,622 yards on 300 attempts with 14 touchdowns.
Dillon credited the hurry-up system created by coach Steve Addazio and offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler for wearing down defenses and creating open space.
“I love it especially from an offensive perspective,” said Dillon. “If you can keep the defense on their toes all the time that is a great weapon to have and, in our offense, we just have so many pieces.
“I can get back to the ball and throw it and get it back and run and kind of just get the defense off-balance. That is an amazing tool to have and coach Loeffler and coach Addazio have done a great job implementing that into our offense.”
Dillon became the first BC true freshman to be named a first-team ACC selection since middle linebacker Luke Kuechly in 2009. Dillon was the ACC Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year and begins the campaign prominently featured on the Doak Walker Award and Maxwell Award watch lists.
“I’m the type of person that can never be complacent or satisfied with anything,” said Dillon. “I always want to be better and people might know me this year but I go into it just like it was Day 1 of my freshman year.
“I have a lot to prove in this new year and new team and new season and I’m just excited to show who I am. I have some new tools I’ve developed and I’m excited to put them on display.”
Dillon has gravitated to a leadership position, especially among the running backs, and he takes the role seriously.
“I’ve been kind of (growing into a) leadership role especially within my unit and we have a lot of younger guys,” said Dillon. “Now with preseason and getting into camp and it’s kind of come to fruition that I can help out the younger guys.
“There is less stress on each play because I know what I’m doing and I’ve got my i’s dotted and my t’s crossed.”
Dillon experienced the low and high moments of his season on consecutive weekends against ACC rivals. Dillon was held to 35 yards on 10 carries in a humbling 23-10 loss to Virginia Tech on Oct. 7.
Dillon rebounded from that debacle and enjoyed a breakthrough game the following weekend at Louisville. He rushed for a career-high 272 yards on 39 carries with three touchdowns in the 45-41 upset victory.
“I’d say that was the first time that I got the chance to work with them (offensive line) like that,” said Dillon. “The first games I was just getting acclimated and that was my first game getting substantial carries.”