The Boston College secondary can have the Ivy scent when the Eagles open the season in opposition to Northern Illinois on Saturday (midday) at Alumni Stadium.
Two switch portal refugees from the Ivy League, sturdy security John Pupel (Dartmouth) and cornerback Alex Washington (Harvard), are listed on the two-deep and anticipated to begin in opposition to the Huskies.
Pupel was a three-year letterman with the Big Green and recorded 133 profession tackles regardless of lacking the 2020 season because of the pandemic. Pupel was a graduate switch to BC in 2022, however was injured and appeared in solely 4 video games with restricted particular groups’ duties. Pupel introduced an urgency to coaching camp and gained a beginning place.
“He was the biggest surprise of camp,” mentioned BC coach Jeff Hafley. “He was damage final yr, he had some points and needed to actually get some good work performed and the primary time I noticed him wholesome was this spring.
“We liked what we saw on tape when we got him from Dartmouth. He’s smart, tough, he tackles and, in the spring, he jumped out at me. He just took the job and was constantly ascending with leadership, tackling, and lining guys up.”
Washington performed in 27 video games at Harvard and was a 2022 Phil Steele second workforce FCS All-American and first workforce All-Ivy League choice. He recorded 57 tackles with six interceptions.
“The Ivy league is good football and there are players in the Ivy League that get drafted and play in the NFL,” mentioned Hafley. “There have been Ivy League guys that have transferred and done really well in FBS.”
The BC secondary shall be examined by NIU quarterback Rocky Lombardi, a Michigan State switch who performed in 4 video games in 2022 earlier than struggling a season-ending damage. In his mixed time at MSU and NIU, Lombardi has accomplished 409 passes for five,144 yards and 31 touchdowns.
“I think Rocky Lombardi is a really good player,” mentioned Hafley. “He was a Power 5 prospect popping out of highschool and went to Michigan State and performed at Michigan State.
“He has a really big arm and can make all the throws down the field. He has played in some really big games.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com