Let’s take a look and see if the Super Fan’s at the Heights will have more to cheer for in 2016:
Offense
Graduate transfer Patrick Towles seems to be the front-runner to lead the Eagles under center out of training camp. He is an experienced passer that threw for over 5,000 yards while at Kentucky. He should fit well in new Offensive Coordinator Scott Loeffler’s pro-style spread offense.
Towles’ has competition in Darius Wade. The sophomore started the first three games in 2015 before an injury. The dual-threat could be ideal to lead a dynamic running attack when paired with another sophomore, running back Jon Hilliman.
Whatever option Addazio and Loeffler choose to quarterback the Eagles they would be wise to choose early and stick to it. The Eagles started five different players at the position last year and struggled mightily without having a consistent voice of leadership in the huddle.
Having a reliable starter at quarterback could provide a spark for a group of receivers looking for breakout seasons. Junior’s Charlie Callinan and Thadd Smith, showed glimpses of explosive play in 2015. Sophomore Elijah Robison has the speed that could stretch the field and has been the talk of camp. Senior Tyler Rouse was the top pass-catcher out of the backfield last year and provides a balance to Hillman's power running style.
Defense
In college football, any successful unit is going to have its share of departures. The Eagles defense is no different. Coordinator Don Brown left to join Jim Harbaugh in Michigan, while stars Steven Daniels, Justin Simmons, Connor Wujciak and Mehdi Abdesmad all headed for the NFL.
Jim Reid takes over for Brown and has a strong returning core to work with. DE Harold Landry, who accumulated 4.5 sack and 15.5 tackles-for-loss last year, will be responsible for containing the dual-threat quarterbacks of the ACC. Linebacker Matt Milano, will provide leadership in the middle for the Eagles and is on the Butkus Award watch list. John Johnson anchor the defensive backs at strong safety along with All-ACC candidate Isacc Yiadom at corner..
Coaching
Addazio enters his fourth season looking to rebound from last seasons terrible result. He had won 7 games in each of his first two seasons. His additions at each coordinator position show that he is not taking last year's struggles lightly. Reid should be able to keep the defense clicking, and Loeffler’s scheme could help get the offense back on track.
Outlook
The new faces on staff, returning defensive standouts and a more experienced and healthier offense should get BC back into the bowl hunt and Super Fan’s more to cheer for at the Heights this fall.
Boston College opens the season September 3rd in Ireland against ACC rival Georgia Tech.