By Tony Thomas
Coming off a 7-6 record last season, B.C. head coach Jeff Hafley had enough of NIL and the transfer portal, and other things that interfered with the actual coaching X’s and O’s. So, he packed up his belongings and moved to the frozen tundra of Green Bay to take over as the Packers defensive coordinator.
A brief search resulted in the Eagles landing former NFL and Alabama assistant coach Bill O’Brien as their head man. O’Brien had been tapped as the new offensive coordinator of the Ohio State Buckeyes, but decided that being the head coach in Chestnut Hill was a better gig than working as the OC in Columbus.
The Eagles return 67% of their total production from last season and 80% of their offense, including QB Thomas Castellanos (over 3300 yards of total offense, 28 total TDs), RB Kye Robichaux (780 yards, 8 touchdowns), and WR Lewis Bond (52 catches, 646 yards, 7 TDs).
However, the defense returns just 53% of their 2023 production. The defensive line looks to be in good shape with Cam Horsley, Neto Okpala, and Donovan Ezeiruaku back for 2024 after combining for 120 tackles. The linebacker corps and the secondary will need young players to step up and contribute.
O’Brien went into the transfer portal to find talent for positions of need and to provide depth, and three of those transfers will make an impact for the Eagles on Saturdays in the fall.
RB Treshaun Ward
Previous School: Kansas State Wildcats
5’10”, 194 lbs.
The 2nd leading rusher for the Wildcats last season, Treshaun Ward rushed for 643 yards and five touchdowns. In addition, he added two receiving touchdowns and 132 kickoff return yards. Ward’s season high was 118 yards in a 38-21 victory over Texas Tech, and he posted three games averaging six yards or more per carry.
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Ward has 1,884 career rushing yards and 17 scores to his credit, and will be the perfect compliment to Robichaux in the Eagles’ backfield.
WR Jerand Bradley
Previous School: Texas Tech Red Raiders
6’5”, 220 lbs.
A big target on the perimeter, Jerand Bradley caught 36 passes for 431 yards and four touchdowns. In a season high vs Kansas, Bradley caught four balls for 91 yards in a 16-13 win over the Jayhawks.
https://twitter.com/emorylyda41/status/1701358903496224963
For his collegiate career, Bradley has 1,174 yards and 10 touchdowns. Look for Bradley to earn a WR1 spot and for O’Brien to dial up plays to take advantage of Bradley’s size on the perimeter.
DB Bryquice Brown
Previous School: Georgia State Panthers
6’0”, 180 lbs.
A ball hawk where opponents’ pass completions go to die, Bryquice Brown broke up six passes and picked off a pass, to go with 35 tackles last season. In a loss to James Madison, Brown made five tackles and his lone interception.
https://twitter.com/THERSdayNight/status/1464710114422710281
For his college career, Brown has 136 tackles, four INTs, and a stellar 24 pass breakups. Brown brings much needed experience and leadership to the Eagles’ secondary, and look for him to be a week one starter.
Scoring points and moving the football should not be a problem for B.C. this season. Castellanos was third in the ACC in total yards and averaged 258 yards of total offense per game. He should thrive in O’Brien’s offense. If the Eagles’ defense can gel as a unit, and the younger players contribute consistently, then Boston College could be a pleasant surprise for Eagles fans, and a relevant talking point in the college football world this fall.
