Talented Dillon can help boost Eagles
Boston College football coach Steve Addazio is giddy about his team heading into next season, and for good reason.
Sophomore AJ Dillon could develop into one of the best running backs in the country while dual-threat quarterback Anthony Brown keeps most defenses honest with his abilities and Dillon beside him in the backfield.
The Eagles finished last season surging to win five of their last seven games, setting an encouraging foundation.
“When you can come to work every day and feel really good about your team and love your team, love being around your team, that’s a good sign and that’s how I feel about this football team,” Addazio said after spring practice in April.
Boston College is No. 58 in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel’s preseason 2018 college football rankings.
Murschel ranked all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 129 to our projected No. 1 team.
College
10 Boston
Steve Addazio (0-0, entering sixth season; 31-33 overall)
7-6 overall, 4-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference; tied for third in Atlantic Division
Early-season injuries to experienced center Jon Baker made it difficult for Boston College’s offense to get off to an ideal start. Then injuries to linebackers Connor Strachan and Max Richardson and defensive end Harold Landry, a second-round NFL draft pick, kept the Eagles from reaching their potential.
But Boston College’s lateseason surge, which included four games during which the typically dormant Eagles offense scored more than 39 points, showed glimpses of what Addazio’s team could accomplish before Brown suffered a season-ending knee injury in early November. 4
DE Harold Landry, QB Darius Wade, LB Ty Schwab, LB Connor Strachan, DB Kamrin Moore, DB Isaac Yiadom, DT Noa Merritt, DT Jack Kenny, WR Thad Smith.
RB A.J. Dillon, QB Anthony Brown, RB Jon Hillman, TE Tommy Sweeney, WR Kobay White, WR Jeff Smith, LB Max Richardson, DE Zach Allen, DB Lukas Denis, DB Will Harris, LB John Lamot, DT Ray Smith.
As a freshman, Dillon had multiple games rushing for more than 200 yards, finishing with 1,589 yards and 14 touchdowns last year.
In February, Addazio told ESPN he believes Dillon is capable of winning the Heisman if he is able to stay healthy for the Eagles.
“I think he can win the Heisman Trophy here at Boston College,” Addazio said of Dillon. “He’s humble and he’s smart and he knows he has a ways to go . ... If he’s healthy, he’s a unique player. A.J.’s going to be a beast.”
It’s been a while since the Eagles have competed well in the ACC, last reaching the conference title game in 2007 and 2008.
Boston College last won a conference championship in 2004 as a member of the Big East.
And under Addazio, who enters his sixth season, the Eagles have finished 7-6 four times, with a 3-9 campaign in the mix. He has only one bowl win in four postseason trips.
Boston College’s lack of experience could be a problem as the team works to break out of the middle of the ACC pack.
With a dynamic player like Dillon and 16 other starters returning, Boston College has the ability to compete with Clemson, Florida State and Louisville in the Atlantic Division.