Checking in on the 2006 signees

The departure of Redshirt Freshman Reshaude Goodwin sparked this look back on TOB’s controversial recruiting class of 2006. [Thanks to Bravesbill for pointing out my unintentional omission of Wes Davis.]

With only 85 scholarships available at any one time, one bad and/or mismanaged recruiting class can set a football program back for multiple seasons. While I’ve always been skeptical of recruiting and hype, how a class develops once it is on campus is important to me…hence my concern over the recruiting class of 2006.

The recruiting in 2006 was one of the first indicators that TOB might be seriously looking elsewhere. According to his critics, it was his most halfhearted effort and saw BC take risks by handing out scholarships to questionable prospects. Scout.com ranked BC 44th and the usually BC friendly Rivals.com ranked BC 37th overall. At the time TOB defenders deflected the criticism by pointing out that small classes (BC only signed 20 players) are generally not rated as high. With Goodwin gone that class just got a little smaller. The local product is the third member of the class of 2006 to transfer away. He joins Ross Applegate and Josh Neubuert who left BC in recent months. That leaves 17 remaining players.

The second aspect of this class that showed TOB might have been thinking about the 2006 season and not the future is the number of true freshmen who played last year (sixseven in all). It is great having guys who can contribute right away, but redshirting had been a hallmark of TOB’s early success. Holding guys back gives a program older, more physically developed players. This might not seem like a big deal now, but Jags will certainly think it is important in 2010 when he has very few fifth year seniors.

2006 was not all doom and gloom. Some of those true freshman that did see the field contributed greatly. There is also potential in some of the redshirts. Let’s take a look at the class as they prepare for their second season on campus.


Alex Albright, DE, (3 stars in Rivals, 3 stars in Scout). One of the real gems of the class. Played as a true freshman and played beyond his years. Very good size, speed and instinct. Should develop to an all conference player over his next three years.

Ross Applegate, QB (2 stars in Rivals, 2 stars in Scout). One of TOB’s more controversial signings. Many felt he was a reach and would never start at BC. Being from Atlanta I always hoped Ross would do well, however, he never got much traction with the old staff or the new. He’s now trying to walk on at Alabama.

Darius Bagan, LB (3 stars in Rivals, 2 stars in Scout). He redshirted last year and will hopefully see some playing time this year.

Thomas Cliarborne, DT (3 stars in Rivals, 2 stars Scout). Redshirted last season and look very overweight on the sidelines. Supposedly slimmed down and will see some time this season.

Wes Davis, DB (2 stars in Rivals, 3 stars in Scout). Another strong performance as a true freshman. Should also see plenty of time as a soph.

Bill Flutie, QB/K/P (2 stars in Rivals, 2 stars in Scout). Redshirted last season and has moved to WR. While Flutie playing QB for BC was a real possibility under TOB, it is probably best for everyone that he moved to WR. He has the potential to be a good contributor.

Chris Fox, DB (3 stars in Rivals, 2 stars in Scout). Redshirted last season and then broke his leg in the Spring. His recovery is going better than anyone expected and he should see some time this fall.

Jack Geiser, LS (2 stars in Rivals, 2 stars in Scout). Long snapped as a true freshman. Proved to be very valuable.

Reshaude Goodwyn, DB (3 stars in Rivals, 2 stars in Scout). Redshirted and then transferred. Local product who probably wasn’t going to see the field this year.

Mark Herzlich, LB, (3 stars in Rivals, 3 stars in Scout). Originally committed to UVA and then had second thoughts and came to the Heights. Great player right out of the gate. Should see serious time this year. Has a chance to be the best player in the class.

Justin Jarvis, WR (2 star in Rivals, 2 stars in Scout). Wasted redshirt year by only playing in four games. May be the truest form of mismanagement/short-term thinking by TOB. Hopefully will contribute more.

Richard Lapham, OL (4 stars in Rivals, 2 stars in Scout). Has battled his weight and expectations so far. Was the most heralded recruit of the class. Still has a chance to have a very good career, but early indications have been less than stellar.

Ryan Lindsey, WR (3 stars in Rivals, 2 stars in Scout). Redshirted and then hurt his ACL in drills this offseason. Unlikely to be healthy this year. Will hopefully recover and turn his last three seasons into a productive career.

James McCluskey, LB (3 stars in Rivals, 3 stars in Scout). Redshirted. Signed as a linebacker, but will be used at fullback some this season. Will hopefully contribute.

Jordon McMichael, TE, (4 stars in Rivals, 3 star in Scout). Redshirted after a preseason injury last year. One of the more highly-touted signees of this class. Still has the chance to be a very good player.

Josh Neubert, DE (3 stars in Rivals, 3 stars in Scout). Redshirted and then transferred. Was probably not going to see a ton of playing time at BC, so he went to DIAA Ivy League.

Roderick Rollins, DB (3 stars in Rivals, 3 stars in Scout). Played very well as a true freshman and will probably see a significant increase in playing time.

Damik Scafe, DT (3 stars in Rivals, 3 stars in Scout). Redshirted and will probably get playing time this season.

Jeff Smith, RB (3 stars in Rivals, 2 stars in Scout). Made immediate impact as a true freshman and probably won the Clemson game for us. Will hopefully develop skills beyond returns over the next three years.

Warren Wilson, WR (3 stars in Rivals, 2 stars in Scout). Redshirted and will probably see some time as a special teamer this season.


Once again this type of exercise proves what a crapshoot recruiting can be. Of the 20, three are gone and six seven played as true freshmen. That means that barring any unforeseen injuries, only 1110 of the remaining class will be available in 2010. Jags seems to be a pretty positive guy, so I imagine his approach is that those departures just free up more scholarships for “his guys.”

The legacy of the 2006 signees is not written in stone. Although the class is very lean, it still has some potential stars in Herzlich, Albright, Rollins and Smith. Flutie, Davis, McMichael, Fox and a few others could also prove to be very good players. Let’s hope that when they leave they get a pat on the back and we are not saying “what a waste.”