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Spring football wrapped up today in the Jay McGillis Memorial game.
Redshirt junior safety Bugg Jones was the scholarship winner, given annually to a member of the defensive backfield who lives up to Jay’s legacy. Jones has been a frequent shout across spring practices, nabbing a couple interceptions and adding one more to his tally today. He hasn’t played too much since arriving at BC, but he certainly expects to be a key contributor this season. Jones will wear McGillis’s #31 jersey during BC’s final home game of the season.
Coach Bill O’Brien was mic’d up the whole afternoon, calling plays and situations he wanted his team to practice. The teams were simple, offense vs defense, but with random points allotted for everything from first downs and fourth down conversions to 3rd down stops, and tackles for loss — meaning the Eagles were putting some points on the board.
O’Brien stressed that this was all about practicing hard and coming out healthy. Things started off a bit shaky and the defense certainly got the better of the day. The offense was sloppy while the defense showed off its depth.
The first and second team defensive units had guys flying around. Donovan Ezeiruaku remarked how they feel like “we’re playing free” with less thinking. O’Brien has mentioned a few times throughout spring ball that the defense often looked a step ahead. Fair given the offense still needing to properly take in the new system. Ohio State DB Ryan Turner showed out and did not hold back in tackling. The Eagles defense nabbed a few interceptions as well. Backed up in the endzone, a throw deep to center field by Castellanos was intercepted by the McGillis award winner Jones. Bryquise Brown, brother of NBA player Bruce Brown, had a tip drill interception. And Sione ‘Riz’ Hala sealed one late on former FIU quarterback Grayson James.
On the offensive side Castellanos hit more a stride in the ‘second half’. He started off with a big run, probably keeping his defensive teammates a bit more honest. He then found his guys, with the likes of Datrell Jones making plays and making defenders miss. Tommy Touchdowns threw a nice touchdown pass to TE Jeremiah Franklin, and later tossed a pair to Jaedn Skeete. There was a good rotation of quarterbacks in action. Grayson James made some exceptional throws stationary and on the run, and looked rather poised. He was connecting particularly well with the all around athlete Reed Harris. James had a tougher go of it in the second half situation set where the interception came.
The special teams was a bit of a disaster early as well. BC’s punt traveled only about 35 yards but bounced back to muster up about 20 yards net. Connor Lytton missed a 50 yarder, but Luca Lombardo came back and hit one from the same distance shortly thereafter. Lytton made amends hitting one from 36. This will definitely need to be cleaned up.
And lastly a few notes from the sideline reports. Will Blackmon is back at BC handling alumni relations and consulting on the defensive side. He explained how he was part of a group of guys that “didn’t feel connected here”, but how much it meant when Bill O’Brien reached out. Blackmon and O’Brien have already made a great impact reuniting the BC football alumni family. NFL defensive backs John Johnson and Isaac Yiadom came back to Chestnut Hill to witness the BOB hype in person and connect with the young guys. Yiadom has worked out with Turner before, and both former Jay McGillis award winners were looking forward to see more of Bugg Jones.
“Embrace it” has been a bit of a mantra this season, and Blackmon brought it up again. He touched on BC not being a stepping stone for O’Brien. That continuity will help making sure guys continue to feel connected after they leave the Heights.
Closing notes from Coach O’Brien indicated he was satisfied with the day’s events. He commented on the disciplined play of the defense in particular. That brings the spring season officially to a close. Players will wrap up school soon and then before you know it summer practices will get going.
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