Position Preview: Wide Receivers

PERSONNEL

Returners: Elijah Robinson (Sr.), Michael Walker (Sr.), Jeff Smith (Sr.), Kobay White (RSo.), CJ Lewis (So.), Aidan Hegarty (RSo.), Christian McStravick (RSo.), Noah Jordan-Williams (RFr.), Ben Glines (RJr.)
Newcomer: Jehlani Galloway (Fr.)

Between the Eagles' depth at wide receiver and tight end, quarterback Anthony Brown will have a seemingly endless stock of options in the BC aerial attack this season. White emerged as the top target from the receiving corps with 34 catches in his redshirt-freshman season. A trio of seniors; Robinson, Smith and Walker all bring a combination of experience, pass-catching ability and athleticism to the group.

White's 34 receptions and 423 yards were both second on the team a year ago, but tops by a Boston College wide out. He scored two touchdowns, including a 34-yard reception in the end zone from Smith on a trick play to set the tone early in the Eagles' 35-3 win over Florida State. Smith, like Robinson and Walker, arrived at BC in 2015 after making waves as a high school quarterback. After rushing for 450 and passing for 253 yards as a freshman, he made the move to receiver in 2016. Smith has had back-to-back productive seasons in the BC passing game with 27 catches for 395 yards as a first-time receiver and 25 catches for 296 yards last year.

BY THE NUMBERS

#1 Robinson, Elijah: 30 career games, 11 catches, 111 yards
#3 Walker, Michael: 19 catches, 168 yards, 1 TD
#6 Smith, Jeff: 25 catches, 296 yards, 107 rushing yards, 1 TD
#9 White, Kobay: 34 catches, 423 yards, 2 TD
#19 Glines, Ben: 2 catches, 14 yards, 8 rushing yards

Walker, an All-ACC third team pick as a return specialist, contributed to the Boston College offense with 19 catches and 168 yards a year ago. He can shift the momentum of a game by helping BC win the field position battle, but is also expected to be a major player in the air. Robinson adds a veteran presence to the depth of the receivers. He has appeared in 30 games, primarily on special teams the last two years, but hauled in 11 catches as a true freshman in 2015.

Lewis, a 6-foot-4 sophomore, has put together a strong camp and is looking to work his way into the rotation at receiver. A dual-threat QB in his prep days, he moved to wide out last year and appeared in five games, but did not record any statistics. McStravick, like Lewis, has been a primary target with the second team offense in the preseason, but has excelled in a variety of roles in the pass game with first team reps. He redshirted 2016 and appeared in three games last year without any statistics.

QUICK SLANTS

Galloway was the top-ranked player in Rhode Island according to 247Sports and ESPN.com while at Classical High School in Providence… totaled 1,063 yards and 19 touchdowns over his final two seasons… Glines has made four catches in 26 career games; having played primarily on special times… splitting time as a receiver and a running back this season and will factor heavily into the BC running and return games… Hegarty has spent the last two seasons working on a transition from quarterback to receiver and has yet to appear in a game at BC… earned all-state at Hilton Head Island (S.C.) High School with 3,029 passing and 728 rushing yards as a senior… Jordan-Wiliams redshirted as a freshman a year ago and showed excellent potential during bowl practices and in the spring … rated the No. 10 player in New York by ESPN.com after posting 525 receiving yards on just 18 catches; averaging 29.2 yards per reception.

QUOTES FROM THE STAFF

"They've developed and matured. A lot of them have played since they were freshmen and sophomores, and they're now juniors and seniors. That helps them with composure. Our talent has always been there, but it's now more about their mindset with the experience that's grown. I'm excited to see how they perform and help the team." – Wide Receivers Coach Rich Gunnell

"They're doing a great job. We have some older guys, Tom Sweeney has been around, Jeff Smith has been around. We have some older guys that understand what to do. They've played a lot of football." – Deputy Head Coach Offense/Offensive Coordinator Scot Loeffler

"I try to make all of the guys be complete receivers. They need to have the ability to do everything. Some guys are obviously better at some things than others, but you try to figure out what their strengths are and how it fits into the game plan. That's my job, to put them in position to be the most successful." – Gunnell

"The foundation of any football program, in my opinion, has to be able to run the ball. [But] you also have to be able to throw it. It's the new wave in football, that you have to be balanced. Any time the defense has to account for the run game, it makes our throw game much better. We feel like we have some weapons on the perimeter. Hopefully the throw and run game can really work together the way we want it to." – Loeffler

PERSONNEL

BY THE NUMBERS

QUICK SLANTS

QUOTES FROM THE STAFF

Players Mentioned

Anthony Brown

Jehlani Galloway

Ben Glines

Aidan Hegarty

Noah Jordan-Williams

CJ Lewis

Christian McStravick

Elijah Robinson

Jeff Smith

Michael Walker

Kobay White

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