Tight finish George Takacs is lining as much as be the deep menace down the center that Boston College wants in its passing recreation.
The 6-6, 247-pound, switch from Notre Dame has the dimensions and downfield velocity to supply quarterback Phil Jurkovec a viable choice on move routes between the hashmarks and an outsized goal within the crimson zone.
BC has a steady of speedy large receivers that may stretch the sector led by All-ACC preseason first staff selection Zay Flowers, a burner who led BC with 44 receptions for 746 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2021.
“Having a guy like Zay is a huge advantage for me and any of the tight ends because teams have no choice but to respect his speed and respect his ability,” mentioned Takacs throughout BC media day on Monday on the Fish Field House.
“The defense has to focus on that and it opens things up for the tight ends and everyone else involved in the offense. I definitely feel good about my involvement. I think I am going to be active and heavily involved in the offense based off camp and spring practice.”
Jurkovec and Takacs are the kindred spirits of kinds as a result of they had been blue chip recruits out of highschool that turned depth chart casualties at Notre Dame. Jurkovec transferred to BC in 2020 whereas Takacs entered the portal after final season.
Jurkovec had essentially the most proficient move receiving tight finish within the nation ready on the roster when he made the leap. Hunter Long, the Miami Dolphins third-round choose in 2021, was the highest receiving tight finish within the nation in 2020 with 57 catches for 685 yards and 5 touchdowns. Long was an All-ACC first staff tight finish and named second staff All-American by the Associated Press.
“I think George is really fast and he can run after the catch if we get him the ball,” mentioned Jurkovec. “He is a vertical menace due to his capability to run and he’s nice at blocking.
“I think that could be a serious part of our offense if the tight ends can attack the middle of the field and attack vertically and make those safeties respect them.”
Jurkovec missed six video games final season after struggling a fractured proper hand at UMass on Sept. 11. BC employed a good finish by committee to interchange Long and manufacturing from the place fell off.
Graduate switch Trae Barry was the highest receiving tight finish final season with 21 catches for 362 yards and 4 TDs however he was a one and accomplished. The prime returning tight ends are Joey Luchetti and Spencer Witter.
Takacs’ blocking capability takes on new urgency as a result of BC will deploy a completely reoutfitted offensive entrance underneath first yr coach Dave DeGuglielmo when the season opens towards Rutgers at Alumni Stadium on Sept. 3.
“I think the O-line is young but they are doing a great job and really developing and you can see them getting better every day,” mentioned Takacs.
“In terms of my blocking, I’m a very willing blocker. It is something that has been a big part of my game since high school and will continue to be.”
Despite coming to a brand new staff, Takacs had a slight leg up on the incumbent gamers. BC first yr offensive coordinator John McNulty was Takacs’ place coach at Notre Dame underneath Brian Kelly.
Cover nook
BC affiliate head coach and defensive backs coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahm can higher recreation plan for the opponents passing assault with an All-ACC cowl nook on the depth chart.
Josh DeBerry was named to the All-ACC preseason first staff for his versatility on the place. Last season DeBerry was primarily deployed as a nickel slot however was additionally used outdoors on the sector and the boundary.
“I like being able to play everything, whatever they may need me and I don’t like being held down to one certain position and it’s been that way my whole career,” mentioned DeBerry.
“I always like learning and I always like doing different things for a team. That adds more value to the team and helps us in different ways against a pass-heavy team or a run-heavy team.”
The secondary is essentially the most skilled part of the BC protection with DeBerry taking part in reverse returning corners Jason Maitre and Elijah Jones and backed up by security Jaiden Woodbey.
“The process is really the reward for the secondary,” mentioned Abdul-Rahm. “It is going to be bad and it is going to be good and we just try to keep them level headed and hungry.”
Beyond the fundamentals
The offense put in in spring ball had a distinctly vanilla taste, however the all schemes and nuances of McNulty’s in depth playbook will probably be a part of the sport plan towards Rutgers.
“We have got everything in,” mentioned Jurkovec. “We have all of the installs, all of the situation stuff like finish of recreation conditions, two minute and crimson zone.
“We’ve installed all that and got a lot of stuff in. But there will be more stuff to put in with specific plays for the teams we are playing.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com