Boston College vast receiver Dino Tomlin will get pleasure from a homecoming of kinds when Eagles interact the Panthers of Pittsburgh on Thursday night time (7) at Acrisure Stadium.
Tomlin is the son of Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and he grew up in a soccer tradition wholly outlined by the Steel City. Tomlin stated a large contingent of household and associates shall be within the stands carrying maroon and gold whereas rooting in opposition to the house staff.
“It will definitely be fun to go home and play in front of my family and friends,” stated Tomlin following a tough observe on Monday. “It’ also playing on TV (nationally) and it’s a big game.”
BC and Pitt seldom crossed paths below the previous ACC divisional construction with the Panthers within the Coastal and the Eagles within the Atlantic. When the ACC realigned right into a unified convention this season, Pitt, Miami, and Syracuse had been assigned BC’s everlasting companions, an association influenced by their former ties to the Big East.
“He’s a Pittsburgh kid and I’m sure coach Tomlin and his family is pretty excited and deep down he’s pretty excited,” stated BC coach Jeff Hafley. “He’s got positive energy. He pushes himself and studies the game and works his butt off and can catch the football.”
Tomlin was a standout at Shady Side Academy in Fox Chapel, Pa., earlier than attending Maryland for 3 seasons the place he struggled to get on the sphere. Hafley snagged Tomlin from the switch portal previous to the 2022 season.
Tomlin would seem in 12 video games with two begins and caught 10 passes for 181 yards. Tomlin has been a fixture in quarterback Thomas Castellanos’ development this season with 19 catches for 228 yards with a protracted of 52.
Hafley had recognized coach Tomlin throughout his three NFL stints with the Browns, Buccaneers, and 49ers and that made for a seamless transition for Dino. The 5-11, redshirt senior is enrolled within the Carroll School of Management.
“We are so glad we have because he is like Mr. Reliable,” stated Hafley. “You can always count on him, he is always out there, he is always going to give you everything he can and he makes plays.”
Tomlin additionally demonstrates the traits for being a coach’s son.
“He sits in the front, he takes notes and he is serious and focused,” stated Hafley. “He is disciplined, detailed, and loves football and handles adversity well. He is well-trained and that is a credit to his mom and dad.”
The Pittsburgh Kid
The Pitt vs. BC matchup shall be lacking a connection that might have assured a contact of drama and a sensational storyline.
Panthers quarterback Phil Jurkovec is a Pittsburgh native who launched into the lengthy and winding highway again to his residence metropolis. Jurkovec was a blue-chip recruit at Pine-Richland High School in Gibsonia, Pa., who initially attended Notre Dame, the place he turned a numbers casualty.
Jurkovec took the BC exit off the NCAA switch portal in 2020 and loved quick success in his first season. Jurkovec missed a lot of the 2021 season after breaking his passing hand within the second sport at UMass. He began the primary eight video games final season earlier than happening with a knee harm whereas making a run in a loss at Connecticut.
Both Jurkovec and BC offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. skipped city to hitch head coach Pat Narduzzi at Pittsburgh. The Panthers opened the 2023 season 1-4 and Jurkovec was benched for Christian Veilleux after a 38-21 loss at Virginia Tech on Sept. 30.
“Phil and I had a really good relationship and I really liked Phil,” stated Hafley. “We thought that was the week the place he would clearly be taking part in quarterback and he’s not.
“But he’s going to go on and do nice issues and I’m excited to see him. “
Pittsburgh Revisited
Hafley bought the primary main break is his teaching profession in 2006 when Pittsburgh head coach Dave Wannstedt made him a defensive assistant. After two seasons as a DA, Hafley graduated to defensive backs coach from 2008 to 2010 earlier than shifting on to Rutgers.
“It is kind of where I got my start with coach Wannstedt,” stated Hafley. “I spent a number of time there and I’ve a number of recollections and made a number of associates there within the administration and on the employees in numerous roles.
“That’s where I met my wife (Gina) so there are a lot memories there. But it is not about me or me going back, we have to find a way to win this game on a short week.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com