Jen Welter: BC grad and NFL trailblazer, and other links

BC grad Jen Welter made headlines this week by joining the Arizona Cardinals as a training camp coach. Now that the NBA has a full-time female assistant, the NFL will soon follow. I hope the Welter becomes that coach.

If you haven't seen it, this SI article on Texas A&M's Myles Garrett is worth the read. Garrett's half brother is Sean Williams and Williams' struggles have certainly influenced Garrett. Williams is quoted throughout as is Ed Cooley.

Former BC QB Mack Lowrie is leaving URI. It seems like he is headed to a JuCo in search of playing time. (HT: eagle98alum)

Last scrimmage update and other links

Addazio sort of curtailed his scrimmage a bit and turned it more into a partial scrimmage and partial practice. The Heights and Globe both had write ups. The big concern is Bordner's continued absence, leaving Walsh and Marscovetra to battle for the back-up role. There is also no clear No. 2 at running back. Addazio was vague when explaining Moore's injuries, but he will miss the year.

Big things are expected of Reggie Jackson this season in OKC.

The ACC soccer coaches picked BC to finish 8th overall in the conference.

Mack Lowrie is adjusting to FBS football.

I mentioned this on the blog, but it is worth noting that Bruce Pearl's NCAA suspension is up a year from now. If Donahue struggles, Bates will have to at least explore Pearl as an option.

What sort of QB does Addazio need?

BC has a strong history recruiting pro-style, pocket passers. Jags recruited some dual-threat guys but Spaz reverted right back to the pocket mold when he took over. Despite his challenges, Spaz even landed two tall pocket passers for this upcoming class in Tim Boyle and Mackay Lowrie. When Addazio came on he said he was going to play to the team's strengths and build on what is here. Yet despite his proclamation and the connections he built with Boyle and Lowrie, Addazio went hard after a third QB in Michael Julian. 

Julian is an late blooming athletic kid from South Carolina. The recruiting sites categorize him as a "dual-threat" QB. He's right in line with Addazio's ideal QB based on his system at Florida and Temple. Even with the promises to the Spaz commitments, I had no problem with Addazio's decision. He needs to find the best players he can. But now that Julian has said "no" to BC, I am starting to wonder what sort of QB BC should recruit. And with the rise of the running QB in the NFL, what is a "pro-style" quarterback anymore?

A lot of the pro vs dual style is cover for race. If you look on the recruiting sites, "pro" style are predominately white, while "dual" are predominately black. For a variety of reasons, BC has been an easier sell to white, pocket passers. The guys who wanted to be the next Foley, Hasselbeck or Ryan. But that doesn't mean that there aren't exceptions. Bordner is a white QB from Maryland, but he is probably best categorized as "dual." Codi Boek was also recruited as a "dual" threat. But the color of the skin shouldn't really mater. What should mater is the QB's ability to throw and run. The ideal QB -- the guy I want BC to get -- is someone who can do both well. 

But stepping back, I started to rethink about Addazio's need to get a third guy. Shouldn't the offense execute well as long as the QB does most things well and right? Take Brian Kelly as an example. In all his stops he's used running and throwing QBs interchangeably  The framework of the offense is the same, but the types of plays and what the QB does is different. Steve Logan was the same way at BC. We ran the same offense with Matt Ryan as we did with Chris Crane, yet with Crane we ran the ball much more. If Addazio is going to have success at BC, he should be able to win with the QBs we have. The only way it makes sense to go hard after a third QB is if he thinks Boyle and Lowrie are not ACC caliber. 

We won't know if the new guys are any good for two years. We will know how adaptable Addazio and Day are well before then because Rettig is not a "dual" guy. I hope that they can score regardless of the QB's strengths, because if not we will have a lot of square pegs trying to fit in round holes. 

Addazio's pitch to Lowrie

As I mentioned, it appears like we are targeting a 3rd QB for this class. I also suspected that one or two of our current QB commits might look elsewhere. It seems like Mackay Lowrie is now firmly on board with Addazio (nice job by the growing BC 247 site). This is how Lowrie described Addazio's plan for QBs:

"We talked about the offense quite a bit," said Lowrie. "We talked about what he's looking for in a quarterback and how he wants a guy that can move around in the pocket, do some QB-read stuff."

That doesn't come out and say we need dual-threat QBs, but the read and mobility talk do indicate more of a run-based offense. I just hope we are not rigid in the first few seasons. You can adapt an offense season to season yet still keep the same core plays and philosophy. What we need is some efficiency, scoring and excitement.

Recruiting news: decommit and more 3rd QB news

One of BC's highest rated recruits, Ohio Running Back LeShun Daniels decommitted and is now headed to Iowa. This one hurts. Running back is a position of need and emphasis for Addazio. Daniels had the chance to come in right away and contribute. Seeing players waiver is natural though and only more predictable when there is a coaching change. Fortunately Addazio is out trying to find another back.

One other thing that is more apparent is that BC is probably taking three QBs in this class. BC just offered a scholarship to South Carolina Dual Threat QB Michael Julian. We need QB talent but not three in one class. I know BC is honoring all of Spaz's commitments, but I expect something to give with the two QBs who verbaled to Spaz. It is clear Addazio is headed in a different direction. I just hope BC manages the roster and expectations well in this process.

Not so fast on the UConn-ND Fenway game and other links

As often happens when these rumors arise, they are quickly shot down. On Tuesday Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick called reports of a pending Fenway game inaccurate. But just because the Irish might not be interested or might not be able to schedule the game in 2014, doesn't mean that a similar game won't happen. BC needs to be involved in those discussions and find the right game and opponent to showcase the team and the Park.

Amidon's breakout season moved him onto the Biletnikoff watch list.

Nick Clancy's ultra-productive Saturday earned ACC honors.

Tabor's Tevin Montgomery is still interested in BC.

The Herald posted a feature on future Eagle Mackay Lowrie.

Checking in on Mass prospects

With the commitment of Mackay Lowrie and the Massachusetts High School FCA Combine over the weekend, I thought it might be a good time to check BC's status with the top players in Massachusetts. Spaz has found it increasingly difficult to keep the best local players in state. If he is going to turn things around, it will be with a foundation of Massachusetts talent. Rivals gave the following members of the 2013 recruiting class ratings and rankings.

1. Maurice Hurst Jr. He's at a BC friendly program and in a position of need. Yet he barely mentioned BC in the ESPN article. He's got offers from everyone. BC will have to really start selling to get among his finalists.

2. John Montelus. Already committed to Notre Dame. Maybe if Brian Kelly has a terrible season and Notre Dame makes another coaching change, we can poach him. For now I would assume he's solidly Irish.

3. Tevin Montgomery. Another DT from a local private school. The elite programs have not offered yet so I think BC has a real chance. Hopefully BC can close him before he attracts attention from other schools.

This list is short. I imagine that as Rivals ranks more Mass players BC will be on their lists. Keep track of where Rivals ranks Lowrie. The unheralded ISL prospect may get a boost now that he's headed to BC.

Lowrie commits to BC

Spaz added a QB to his 2013 recruiting class. Roxbury Latin's Mackay Lowrie committed to Boston College Friday. Mackay is under the radar nationally, but has been in touch with our coaching staff since at least last season. He's got the right size to play the position. The biggest question is his ability to play in the ACC. Roxbury Latin is not an elite program and no other FBS school has offered him a scholarship. Supposedly we will take multiple quarterbacks in this class, but this will not excite the recruiting gurus. Regardless, it's always nice to get a local kid on board. Best of luck to Mackay.