Magnus Talma became the second Bishop Moore player this week to commit to an FBS program when the speedy wide receiver pledged to Boston College.
The rising senior joined teammate Giacomo Sanfilippo, a linebacker, as the first three commitments from the Orlando area’s 2027 class. Lake Brantley defensive back Braylon Woodson committed to Navy a week ago,
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Talma, a 6-foot, 175-pounder has track speed and is part of the Hornets state-championship contending 400-meter relay team. He picked Boston College on Thursday night over 12 other FBS scholarship offers. Talma was the Hornets’ second-leading receiver on the Class 3A state semifinalist a year ago. He caught 37 passes for 818 yards and seven touchdowns.
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“It’s always been my goal to play high-level football and do it at a great academic school, as well,” Talma said. “B.C. was a perfect fit that way and what really made things clear for me was my regular talks with Coach O’Brien (head coach, Bill) and Coach Dailey (receivers coach, Joe).
“Both coaches made me feel like family way before I committed. They shared clear visions about where they saw me contributing on the field and things like that.”
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He’s developed a great relationship with the two coaches.
“Coach O’Brien regular checks on me about my speed in track and how practice is going, how spring ball has been going, and Coach Dailey runs through plays with me that fit my skillset,” Talma said. “They like my speed, but they also see the way I am, my character, and they love how committed I am, how loyal I am and they like the conversations they had with me.”
Talma, who is the No. 13-ranked player in the Sentinel’s 2027 Central Florida Super60, is quite familiar with B.C. He grew up in Wellesley, Mass., which is one town over from where Boston College is in Chestnut Hill.
“It’s a beautiful campus,” Talma said, who moved with his family, and parents Christian and Nicole Talma, about four years ago. “I grew up going to the games. Even though I am a Floridian now, I have a lot of friends in Boston and a few at B.C., actually, which is really awesome.”
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He’s happy to have made his decision and now he can concentrate on helping get Bishop Moore back to the state semifinals and perhaps even accomplish the goal of winning a state title, like the team did in 2015.
“It’s a huge relief off my back. It was a hard decision but it feels like home,” Talma said.
Talma will take over the lead role in the Hornets receiver room, along with fellow senior Matthew Sullivan this year, with Kenyon Alston moving on to Illinois.
“I have accepted the role greatly,” Talma said. “I’m ready to be a leader on this team and be more of a vocal leader. I know I’m a leader on this team and I think I need to show it.”
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He has enjoyed his time in Orlando, and he lauded the presence of several Bishop Moore coaches in his life: Football coach Matt Hedrick, receivers coach KJ Stroud, offensive coordinator Ryan Fleming, and Andre Wright, who coaches on the football team and is also the head track coach, as well as athletic director Kristy Belden.
“My football journey at Bishop Moore has been amazing and I think it’s also important to mention Miss Belden, my college counselor, and she has played a huge part in helping me with this recruitment process,” Talma said.
The Hornets made it to the region final in 2024, the state semis this past season, so Talma and the Hornets would like to push it one step further in 2026.
“I feel good about it and I think we have a great team,” Talma said. “I think we’re solid overall and I’m looking forward to maybe playing both sides, doing whatever I can to help this team. … If they need me to block punts, I will try it.”
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He’s been working on his connection with sophomore quarterback Blake McCullough and he said their cohesion is even better this year.
“We’re getting things down and we’ve been working on all the little details that will make us very successful during the season,” Talma said.
He’s also eyeing a state title in the 400-meter relay at the state track meet next month.
“We came up short in years prior,” he said. “But I have a real strong feeling this year. We’re all sub-11 guys and I think we have a real shot at winning this thing.”
Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.
