Boston College Athletics
Photo by: Billie Weiss
Pro Day 2019: What It Means To Be An Eagle
March 20, 2019 | Football, #ForBoston Files
The very best was on display at the Fish Field House on Wednesday
The athletes on the Fish Field House turf probably looked familiar to the crowd of observers who gathered Wednesday for Boston College's Pro Day. They looked like the players from Saturday afternoons at Alumni Stadium, and they wore shirts with their Boston College football numbers. They chatted among themselves, and they likely had the same conversations that once existed during scrimmages, practices and meetings this past fall.
They looked like the same group of players who were Boston College Eagles, and, in many ways, they still were. In other ways, though, they had already moved on, preparing individually for the representatives from 32 NFL franchises, all harboring their own NFL Draft dreams.
"We all came into Boston College together," offensive lineman Aaron Monteiro said. "We've seen each other grow over the past four years. I care about these guys, and I've been to hell and back with them. It's pretty cool to see us all together now at this level."
The watchful eyes of the NFL and the prospect of being noticed by a franchise did nothing to heighten anxiety or dampen the enthusiasm of the dozen-plus Eagles in attendance. They ran through combine-style drills under the direction of professional assistant coaches and used the opportunity to learn what separates the professional game from the college experience.
It offered a completely unique experience, especially to Monteiro and trench teammate Chris Lindstrom. They worked through drills with the New England Patriots' Dante Scarnecchia, a certified legend at molding the position. Next to them, the defensive linemen worked with Brendan Daly, a former Patriots assistant coach now working with the Kansas City Chiefs.
"It was really cool to come out and perform for the scouts and coaches," Lindstrom said. "Coach Scarnecchia ran our position drills, and I got to have an interview with him. He's such a great coach and a great person. It was really cool to interact (with him). I was expecting to have an intense workout, and I was just thankful to have a good workout."
Pro Day offered the latest bridge between the college student-athlete that each person was and the professional athlete they're hoping to become. This is arguably the most promising NFL Draft in Boston College program history, and the potential exists for upwards of 7-10 selections in Nashville at the end of April. Defensive lineman Zach Allen was already expected as a potential first day choice, but he is now joined by the explosive stock of Lindstrom and safety Will Harris.
"This reminds me of the days back in Florida," head coach Steve Addazio said. "We'd have a large number of (players), general managers, position coaches, stuff like that. Obviously it's much different (at BC). There are seven guys that went to the combine and anywhere from six to eight draftable guys. There's a lot of talent on the field, and that's going to attract guys like Coach Scarnecchia. They're here for a reason."
That reason is largely because the Eagles became something of a professional factory. NFL franchises drafted 14 former Boston College football players since 2014, and half of them came in the fourth round or earlier. The last decade produced five first-round picks, a number that will likely multiply this year with Allen or Lindstrom - or possibly both. Every franchise is constantly on the lookout for a hidden gem capable of helping it hoist a Vince Lombardi Trophy, and BC has a reputation for producing those diamonds in the rough. It's earned, largely because of the unique intangibles unlocked during the scouting process.
"I addressed (the representatives) today," Addazio said. "If you're looking for tough, hard-nosed players who can take hard coaching, are smart and have high character, these guys provide that. These guys just aren't going to make mistakes. You're not making mistakes with these guys. They're going to be highly successful. Our guys, BC guys, do very well because they always continue to ascend. I think people have an appreciation for that."
It's led an ascension that helped rebuild the Boston College football mystique. This class represents Addazio's first true calendar year of recruiting, and it represented the pipeline that the program built with its foundation. They are the players that best represent the Boston College mission and values, and they represent why professional scouts want Eagles on their roster.
BC was never the past home of the "five-star recruit," but it's also something never warranting an apology. Recruiting platforms only measure a player's speed or agility and doesn't account for intangibles. Boston College always developed high character, quality players capable of playing football at the highest level, and those players are able to engineer team football better than any individual accomplishment.
Its athletes are often overlooked but possess raw talent that wasn't readily seen on measurable line charts. It was only after they became Eagles that they developed into the pro-ready, smart players that are both versatile and flexible, with those very same measurables on which they were criticized.
It was on full display on Wednesday. Jeff Smith, a converted quarterback-turned-wide receiver, ran a 4.34 40-yard dash. Ray Smith ran his 40 in under five seconds, then powered 27 bench press reps, all while running routes as a tight end for scouts after playing defensive tackle in college. Linebacker Connor Strachan posted a vertical jump that was just as good as the offensive skill position players while showing off his tryout for a potential fullback position, and his 60-yard shuttle was almost as fast as Smith.
"We look for the right guys to fit at Boston College," Addazio said. "These guys are going to value their education because they're going to have to put in the work academically. They're going to develop here. They aren't four or five star recruits but can leave here playing as the way a four or five-star recruit plays.
"I'm really proud to stand in front of them and tell these (professionals) that these guys are talented and hard-working," he continued. "They're awesome. That's what we need to keep doing, getting kids to camp and building relationships to feel how to get guys to develop. Tom O'Brien was great at that. We wanted to accomplish that when we got here."
Pro Day is designed to showcase the individual, but there was still the element of the team all over the house. Current Eagles rooted on their teammates, and the prospects all talked and shared notes. They worked together in drills, giving each other encouragement and feedback. It was every bit the part of a family reunion, even though the band will likely never be together again.
"What we did here was pretty special," Allen said. "We wanted to win an ACC championship, but we didn't do that. So we didn't get all of our goals, which we're not content with. But to take a program from 3-9 (during) our freshman year to the number who are here at Pro Day speaks volumes as to what we were able to do. It's a special group of guys. It's like we never left, and it's like we were back in Dallas, just messing around at the (First Responder Bowl). We have a couple of more weeks until the NFL Draft, and I'm sure everyone is going to enjoy the process."
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They looked like the same group of players who were Boston College Eagles, and, in many ways, they still were. In other ways, though, they had already moved on, preparing individually for the representatives from 32 NFL franchises, all harboring their own NFL Draft dreams.
"We all came into Boston College together," offensive lineman Aaron Monteiro said. "We've seen each other grow over the past four years. I care about these guys, and I've been to hell and back with them. It's pretty cool to see us all together now at this level."
The watchful eyes of the NFL and the prospect of being noticed by a franchise did nothing to heighten anxiety or dampen the enthusiasm of the dozen-plus Eagles in attendance. They ran through combine-style drills under the direction of professional assistant coaches and used the opportunity to learn what separates the professional game from the college experience.
It offered a completely unique experience, especially to Monteiro and trench teammate Chris Lindstrom. They worked through drills with the New England Patriots' Dante Scarnecchia, a certified legend at molding the position. Next to them, the defensive linemen worked with Brendan Daly, a former Patriots assistant coach now working with the Kansas City Chiefs.
"It was really cool to come out and perform for the scouts and coaches," Lindstrom said. "Coach Scarnecchia ran our position drills, and I got to have an interview with him. He's such a great coach and a great person. It was really cool to interact (with him). I was expecting to have an intense workout, and I was just thankful to have a good workout."
Pro Day offered the latest bridge between the college student-athlete that each person was and the professional athlete they're hoping to become. This is arguably the most promising NFL Draft in Boston College program history, and the potential exists for upwards of 7-10 selections in Nashville at the end of April. Defensive lineman Zach Allen was already expected as a potential first day choice, but he is now joined by the explosive stock of Lindstrom and safety Will Harris.
"This reminds me of the days back in Florida," head coach Steve Addazio said. "We'd have a large number of (players), general managers, position coaches, stuff like that. Obviously it's much different (at BC). There are seven guys that went to the combine and anywhere from six to eight draftable guys. There's a lot of talent on the field, and that's going to attract guys like Coach Scarnecchia. They're here for a reason."
That reason is largely because the Eagles became something of a professional factory. NFL franchises drafted 14 former Boston College football players since 2014, and half of them came in the fourth round or earlier. The last decade produced five first-round picks, a number that will likely multiply this year with Allen or Lindstrom - or possibly both. Every franchise is constantly on the lookout for a hidden gem capable of helping it hoist a Vince Lombardi Trophy, and BC has a reputation for producing those diamonds in the rough. It's earned, largely because of the unique intangibles unlocked during the scouting process.
"I addressed (the representatives) today," Addazio said. "If you're looking for tough, hard-nosed players who can take hard coaching, are smart and have high character, these guys provide that. These guys just aren't going to make mistakes. You're not making mistakes with these guys. They're going to be highly successful. Our guys, BC guys, do very well because they always continue to ascend. I think people have an appreciation for that."
It's led an ascension that helped rebuild the Boston College football mystique. This class represents Addazio's first true calendar year of recruiting, and it represented the pipeline that the program built with its foundation. They are the players that best represent the Boston College mission and values, and they represent why professional scouts want Eagles on their roster.
BC was never the past home of the "five-star recruit," but it's also something never warranting an apology. Recruiting platforms only measure a player's speed or agility and doesn't account for intangibles. Boston College always developed high character, quality players capable of playing football at the highest level, and those players are able to engineer team football better than any individual accomplishment.
Its athletes are often overlooked but possess raw talent that wasn't readily seen on measurable line charts. It was only after they became Eagles that they developed into the pro-ready, smart players that are both versatile and flexible, with those very same measurables on which they were criticized.
It was on full display on Wednesday. Jeff Smith, a converted quarterback-turned-wide receiver, ran a 4.34 40-yard dash. Ray Smith ran his 40 in under five seconds, then powered 27 bench press reps, all while running routes as a tight end for scouts after playing defensive tackle in college. Linebacker Connor Strachan posted a vertical jump that was just as good as the offensive skill position players while showing off his tryout for a potential fullback position, and his 60-yard shuttle was almost as fast as Smith.
"We look for the right guys to fit at Boston College," Addazio said. "These guys are going to value their education because they're going to have to put in the work academically. They're going to develop here. They aren't four or five star recruits but can leave here playing as the way a four or five-star recruit plays.
"I'm really proud to stand in front of them and tell these (professionals) that these guys are talented and hard-working," he continued. "They're awesome. That's what we need to keep doing, getting kids to camp and building relationships to feel how to get guys to develop. Tom O'Brien was great at that. We wanted to accomplish that when we got here."
Pro Day is designed to showcase the individual, but there was still the element of the team all over the house. Current Eagles rooted on their teammates, and the prospects all talked and shared notes. They worked together in drills, giving each other encouragement and feedback. It was every bit the part of a family reunion, even though the band will likely never be together again.
"What we did here was pretty special," Allen said. "We wanted to win an ACC championship, but we didn't do that. So we didn't get all of our goals, which we're not content with. But to take a program from 3-9 (during) our freshman year to the number who are here at Pro Day speaks volumes as to what we were able to do. It's a special group of guys. It's like we never left, and it's like we were back in Dallas, just messing around at the (First Responder Bowl). We have a couple of more weeks until the NFL Draft, and I'm sure everyone is going to enjoy the process."
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Players Mentioned
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