Darby to Arizona State

BC made a late push for New Jersey wide receiver Frank Darby, but he's headed to Arizona State. Since the 2016 recruit came on the radar so late, it doesn't really impact BC short-term or long-term plans. He would have been a "nice to have" type of player, but no need to lose sleep over it. The best sign of the whole affair was that the Admissions Office didn't get in the way of his recruitment. Late academic conflict is usually a red flag but clearly Addazio and Admissions came to some sort of common ground.

Darby playing at Arizona State probably won't come back to haunt us either. 

BC looking to flip Iowa commit

New Jersey WR Frank Darby was all set to go to Iowa. He even attended their Spring Game a few weeks ago. However, some academic concerns -- Iowa wanted him to attend prep school -- had Darby looking around again. His first post-Iowa visit will be BC.  This is where things get interesting.

As a 2016 recruit, Darby would be available to play this fall and would presumably join other 2016 recruits when they get on campus this summer. Although he is a WR, he has the athleticism to play other positions. BC didn't recruit him last time around, but Darby has a strong relationship with new staffer Anthony Campanile. 

Getting him on campus for a visit is huge, but I also wonder where the Admissions Office stands on Darby. If Iowa had academic concerns, I don't see how our Admissions team won't. I hope that by getting Darby this far in the process, he's cleared that hurdle. It would be bad to publicly court this kid and then jerk him around like Iowa did...especially as we are rebuilding our New Jersey relationships. 

Addazio's recruiting class not impressing Recruiting Services

BC lost a lot of momentum coming off a 3-9 season. No aspect of the program demonstrates that more than the recruiting rankings. Understanding that the services are deeply flawed, they all share a the same opinion of BC's latest recruits. (Also note these rankings could change slightly after Signing Day, but not enough to disprove my point.)

Rivals ranks BC 88th nationally and last in the ACC.

Scout ranks BC 71st nationally and last in the ACC.

247 ranks BC 78th nationally and last in the ACC.

As a trend, this is not good. However, I am not all doom and gloom on this group. Its size was going to hurt the rankings. BC touts the transfers, but the recruiting rankings do not. Therefore incoming QB Patrick Towles, incoming OL Jimmy Lowery and incoming punter Satchel Ziffer do not influence the rankings. As I have been pounding home, those sorts of 5th year transfers are a better use of Addazio's scholarship count than a raw freshman. All three of those guys can make an immediate impact.

Addazio's press conference was pretty typical: "leaders" "great kids" etc. I don't think Addazio fakes enthusiasm well, so I take his high regard for this team as genuine. I didn't love his youth excuse making, but let's see how this season progresses.

The only new nugget that stood out to me was Addazio mentioning Catholic schools across the country. We've always recruited pockets of Catholic schools in certain regions, but never tried to blanket all the Catholic schools across the country. It is a great idea. We have a natural "in" and at many of those places the Admission's Office is already familiar with the school's academics.

We won't know about this class for a few years. I won't worry about the rankings. All that matters is what Addazio does with them.

Campanile working to close recruiting class

A week ago I wrote that losing a Tight End wasn't important, so I can't turn around and say that getting New Jersey Tight End Korab Idrizi on board is going to change the program. But getting him to flip from Rutgers to BC is a great early return by new DB's Coach Anthony Campanile.

If Addazio is going to turn the program around he will need more talent. Regardless of our inroads in other areas, New Jersey will still be a critical territory and that is where Campanile comes in. Ideally he can get the state's top stars to BC, but more realistically he will leverage his knowledge and ties to the area to find the underrated future stars that BC can close. New Rutgers coach Chris Ash doesn't have ties to the state, nor did he hire any local recruiting ace. There could be plenty of potential Rutgers prospects that BC can now shift.

Signing Day is this Wednesday. There are bound to be a few more surprises. Hopefully all of them good for BC. And hopefully Campanile's early success is a sign of bigger things to come.

First 5th Year is a kicker/punter

Former Old Dominion kicker/punter Satchel Ziffer announced his commitment to Boston College Monday night. I am encouraged that we are adding an experienced 5th year talent. I just wasn't expecting it to be a Special Teams guy.

Ziffer is certainly welcome, as BC will need a punter next year and he has the potential to kick as well.

News on other 5th years should be rolling in shortly. Presumably the guys want to join the team in January, so they would have to commit now. Also, many are wrapping up their bachelors degree this semester. Once completed they can play immediately.

There has been plenty of gossip about 5th year OLinemen and WRs coming in, but no real leads on any potential QBs.

John Lamot joins recruiting class

Do you want good news or bad news? The good news is that BC added North Carolina athlete John Lamot to the 2016 recruiting class. Lamot was an Elon verbal where he planned to play QB. At BC he will play Defense (probably a linebacker). The bad news is that he is an unrated prospect and another late addition that doesn't seem to have much attention from any other FBS program.

As much as I would like BC to land five star prospects that everyone wants, I am okay with the Lamot decision. He's been to BC's camp and the staff has been watching him a long time. They know what they are getting. I also have more confidence in how we use prospects on the defensive side of the ball. If Don Brown believes the guy can play, who am I to doubt?

It will be interesting to see how BC fills out the class. We know there will be transfers and a few under the radar types. Hopefully they flip an elite prospect too.

Illinois means poaching season starts early

Illinois got the coaching carousel started early when they fired Tim Beckman this week. I predict Addazio will get floated for the opening but don't think he we take it. However, the Illinois move does impact BC. It means that their whole recruiting class is now in play. 

We don't have the roster spots to take many Illinois verbals, but it doesn't hurt to search the roster for any needs. I would also reapproach any player who demonstrated interest in BC in the past.

The other good news about this year's coaching carousel is that many of the likely openings should create opportunities to grab other team's verbals.

We haven't gone head-to-head with UVA for recruits of late, but they sell ACC Football and academics. Whem Mike London gets the boot, we can grab some of their players with the same pitch.

Syracuse doesn't have a ton of guys we need, but they are likely headed for a change. The east coast private school connection should help with any of their verbals we target.

Addazio doesn't like to overdue recruiting during the season. That is why coaching changes work well for him. It is a last minute scramble where Addazio's passion and salesmanship really shine through. I never wish for coaches to lose their jobs, but don't feel as bad about it when BC comes in to rescue recruits.

BC Hall inductees and other links

BC announced eight new members of the Varsity Club's Hall of Fame. The headliners are Damien Woody and Mike Mottau.

The ACC announced their preseason All Conference team and there were no Eagles to be found. I hope that the postseason team looks a little different.

BC is still in good position for Connecticut OL prospect Lucas Niang..

FoxSports asked a few questions about BC's season.

BC adds a punter to recruiting class

Recruiting class are not just about stars and ratings. It is also about backfilling positions, especially in unique areas like Special Teams. It looks like Addazio found his punter of the future, as Texas kicker/punter Grant Carlson committed Wednesday.

Ignore Carlson's low rating. His position ranking (5th overall) is signal that he has enough leg. If a guy has enough leg, he can refine technique and improve (with BC's coaching and private special teams coaching). Carlson also kicks too. Maybe we will luck out and he'll be an asset in both.

BC has recruited plenty of good kickers and punters over the years. When they struggle it is rarely about the leg and all about the head. We won't know if Carlson can hack it at this level until he takes the field. Good luck to him and welcome aboard. 

Recruiting comings and goings

One of the top prospects in Massachusetts is going to...Michigan. If you want a sign that Addazio changed our recruiting culture, notice that BC recruiting nuts are not making a big deal out of this. Sean McKeon is a TE (not a position of need for BC) and even with the Michigan interest is lightly regarded by the major services. Addazio wants his pick of New England kids and the general feel is that McKeon was a low priority.

One of New Jersey's top players just visited and BC remains in good shape for his services.

More verbals for Addazio

The coach keeps collecting commitments. Thursday brought news that Georgia LB Max Richardson verballed to BC. Richardson's best offers are from Duke and South Florida, but there is plenty of interest from other Power 5 programs. My regional bias aside, I do like the inroads Addazio is making here in Georgia (with Al Washington doing a lot of the heavy lifting). Although every southern school recruits in Metro Atlanta, there is so much talent depth in a relatively small space, that BC can still find under-appreciated kids or late bloomers.

Earlier in the week, New York DT prospect Adam Korutz verballed. He's a big kid who is expected to get bigger. Yet he moves well for his size. If Richardson plays in a deep talent pool, Korutz plays in a shallow pool. He dominates his local, upstate New York peers, so BC will be a step up for him. However, our staff has traditionally done a good job of evaluating guys who can make the jump in competition.

Confusing recruiting

I don't want to harp on one recruit but sometimes one kid can illustrate a bigger challenge. Remember Ronnie Blackmon? He's had a "will he" or "won't he" process with BC. At various times, various services have said different things about his status. He then seemingly committed to BC on his trip. In the continuing fickle nature of college recruiting, I wouldn't count on him now.

Blackmon took part in a local showcase here in Atlanta and was one of the top performers. However, in the write up there was no mention of Boston College. Also, most of the recruiting services have has interest in BC waning. What happened? I don't think we will ever know. Given what we are reading, I doubt he will come to BC. First of all we know that Addazio doesn't like kids committing and then flaking. Second, there must be more to Blackmon's story. He is performing very well against SEC-level recruits in SEC and ACC country and his best offers are from outside the region. It doesn't add up.

Ray Marten verbals to BC

Another highly-touted prospect verbaled to BC Friday. New York's Ray Marten is the 8th commitment in this class. Rivals lists Marten as the 4th best player in New York and a 3 star. 247 has him as the 6th best player in New York and also gives him 3 stars.

Considering Dalton's decommitment earlier this spring BC can use him as a Tight End. Most services also list him as a defensive player. Getting a player who gives Addazio some options is nice at this point in the recruiting cycle. BC can still pursue more TEs or Dline prospects and shift Marten accordingly.

Welcome aboard, Ray.

Hanlan's next stop and other links

The Canadian media is paying attention to Olivier Hanlan's draft prospects.

All the BC guys on the Philly staff influenced the Mihalik pick.

ESPN posted an overview on our recruiting and philosophy.

Two more commitments for Addazio

Addazio picked up two more commitments for his 2016 recruiting class. Both were pleasant surprises in their own way. The first commitment came from Michigan OLine prospect Tom Kowalkoski. He is 6'4 and 265 lbs and plays for traditional power Catholic Central. Kowalkoski holds offers from MAC schools, but BC was the first Power 5 to offer and fortunately he committed in a quick time frame. I am sure BC's interest will get some of the Big Ten schools talking to him off the ledge, but Addazio does a good job of keeping commitments committed.

The second commitment was New Jersey QB Anthony Brown. BC focused in on Brown months ago and have been waiting on his verbal. Just when it seemed like he was ready, things would drag out. Other schools came calling and it looked like he might be slow playing BC. I don't know why he finally decided, but he's now a verbal commitment. Brown is 6'2 and has a live arm. He holds offers from many of our peers, like Northwestern, Syracuse and Virginia Tech.

This class won't be as big as the last two, so it is nice to get key pieces like a QB and Lineman. I assume more things will pick up when camps start in a few weeks.

Hoffses interviews Mobley and other links

Eric Hoffses posted an interview with basketball transfer target Matt Mobley. BC is the only major conference team recruiting Mobley right now. He visits BC this weekend.

Shakim Phillips signed a free agent deal with Pittsburgh. Good luck to him.

The Bears claimed former Eagle Chris Pantale off of waivers.

Arizona QB prospect Dylan Wright visited BC. Most services have him as a three star.

Addazio adds another WR recruit

Pennsylvania prospect Kobay White committed to Boston College on Twitter Wednesday night. After a relatively slow month, Addazio and team should be happy to close April with one of their key targets.

White holds offers from numerous ACC and Big Ten schools. He has decent size. The various recruiting services rank him as a 3 star.

Although this class will be smaller than the last two, I still expect Addazio to load up early and before camps. White is the fifth verbal for the 2016 recruiting class.

Recruiting tactic goes viral and other links

Like the "dude" movement before it, BC created another viral recruiting theme. This time they borrowed the font and theme of Drake's album and used it in recruiting materials. I know many of you are thinking: "they did what?" or "who's Drake?" Just know that it is working. Kids like the idea and will hopefully like BC.

Earlier in the week, NFL Talent Analyst Gil Brandt wrote about BC's Offensive Linemen. 

BC is one of many schools after Florida WR Ben Skowronek.

Keyes meeting NFL teams and other links

Josh Keyes might not be listed on the NFL Draft website. but he is getting some attention. He has worked out for the Falcons and the Buccaneers. Workouts don't mean he'll be drafted, but it does give him a chance to find the right team as a free agent.

Ohio Tight End Luke Farrell is set to visit BC Tuesday.

After losing two, the Baseball team managed to win a game at Wake on Sunday.

No confusion: Blackmon on board

Do you remember the confusion regarding Ronnie Blackmon's verbal last month? At the time, some sites said he was coming to BC, while others said it was premature. Now things are clear: Blackmon is committed. In addition to Scout's news, 247 says he a BC lock too.

Ronnie's own Tweet also shows him in Boston.

Atlanta⏩⏩Boston pic.twitter.com/3x2QdSZLcW
— Ronnie Blackmon (@smooth_ronnie4) March 26, 2015

Like all of our early verbals, Blackmon will hear from plenty of other programs, but I think BC can keep him locked in.