Focus: Specialists

Returners: Grant Carlson (RJr.), Thomas Hovsepian (RSo.), Danny Longman (So.), John Tessitore (RFr.)
Newcomers: Aaron Boumerhi (Gr.), Aidan Livingston (Fr.), Stephen Ruiz (RFr.)

Carlson remains the Eagles punter after stepping in to the starter role a year ago. He has had a strong camp; coming off a 2018 campaign in which he averaged 40.2 yards per punt and knocked 25 of his 69 punts inside the 20-yard line. Boumerhi, a transfer from Temple, is the front-runner to win the starting kicker job. He played in 24 games over the last three seasons before an early injury derailed his 2018 season. With the Owls, Boumerhi hit 31 of 43 (72%) career field goal attempts, including a career-best 52-yard make in 2017. The transfer arrived a week into camp and was practicing in full pads by the Eagles' second scrimmage.

Longman lettered last season as the Eagles' kick-off specialist beginning in week two against Holy Cross. He also hit on all three PAT attempts on the year plus a 26-yard field goal in the final minute of the first half against Temple. Throughout camp, Longman has competed to serve as the place kicker, kickoff specialist and punter. Tessitore, who redshirted after playing four games early last season, is also in the running for the place kicking job with Boumerhi and Longman. He converted 14 of 18 PATs as a rookie. Ruiz, a transfer from New Mexico, has shown a big leg through camp, but will not be eligible until the 2020 season.

THE STATS

#9 White, Kobay

1 kick return, 8 yards

#19 Glines, Ben

2 kick returns, 39 yards

#37 Longman, Danny

60 kickoffs, 3,671 yards, 13 touchbacks, 1-for-1 FG, 26-yard long, 3-for-3 PAT

#41 Boumerhi, Aaron

Career at Temple: 31-for-43 FG

#95 Carlson, Grant

69 punts, 40.2 yards per punt, 54-yard long, 25 inside 20

#98 Tessitore, John

14-for-18 PAT

THE LONG SNAPPERS AND HOLDERS

Alec Lindstrom, who takes over as the starting center this season, handled long snapping duties on field goals and PATs from week two on last season… linebacker Evan Stewart gives BC a defensive option when filling out the long snapper position on punts… Livingston is new to the mix after snapping at Mater Dei in Santa Ana, Calif…. a Sam-linebacker, Hovsepian is in his third season on the team and provides depth as an option at long snapper… reserve quarterbacks Dennis Grosel and Matt Valecce figure to be the top options to hold on field goals and PATs.

THE RETURN MEN

BC graduated its leading returner, Michael Walker, to the NFL after last season. Travis Levy started on kickoffs opposite Walker in 2018 and will likely factor into the Eagles' return game. A versatile running back and wide receiver, he has totaled 582 all-purpose yards in his career. Kobay White returned on kick last season and has gotten first team reps on punt returns this camp with freshman speedster Zay Flowers also in the mix. Ben Glines, another running back/wide receiver combo weapon, has contributed seven kick returns in his career and could also factor in this season.

THE STATS

THE LONG SNAPPERS AND HOLDERS

THE RETURN MEN

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Players Mentioned

Aaron Boumerhi

Grant Carlson

Zay Flowers

Ben Glines

Dennis Grosel

Thomas Hovsepian

Travis Levy

Alec Lindstrom

Aidan Livingston

Danny Longman

Stephen Ruiz

John Tessitore

Matt Valecce

Michael Walker

Kobay White

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