The ACC is up next on the media days calendar.
The conference will showcase its teams beginning on Wednesday from the Hilton Uptown in Charlotte. Bill O’Brien and Boston College will take the podium on Thursday and there are many burning questions surrounding the Eagles.
Boston College is looking to improve off a 2-10 season in 2025. There are question marks on both sides of the ball on the field along with others off the field to ponder during media days.
1. Can a new offensive line gel right away?
The offensive line struggled in both passing and running situations last season. Even though there were not many losses in the transfer portal, the Eagles knew that they needed to make additions to improve the offensive line.
Boston College brought in guard Kristian Phillips from Michigan State along with tackles Reggie Jackson from Jacksonville State and North Carolina Central’s Trevon Humphrey. It is likely that both Phillips and Jackson will land starting spots along the offensive line. With two new starters and an entire unit that needs to improve, it will be interesting to see how the Eagles perform up front.
2. Mason McKenzie: Will it work?
It was a battle under center for the Eagles but it looks as though the transfer from Saginaw Valley State will come into the season as QB1.
Mason McKenzie committed to Boston College in January and was a contender to start despite his lack of Division I experience, along with Grayson Willson. The book on McKenzie is that he comes to the Eagles with a strong arm and an ability to use his legs. At just 6-foot-1, McKenzie will have to be able to move in the pocket. This fits into what Bill O’Brien likes to do.
The question is — can his game translate to the Division I level and find success right away?
3. Will there be a run game?
The Eagles ranked 15th in the ACC last season with 103.9 rushing yards per game. This was partially because of a disastrous offensive line, but it should be no surprise that the coaching staff went to bring in some new blood. Liberty standout Evan Dickens rushed for 1,339 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. He will now lead the backfield for Boston College, giving the offense an intriguing duo of runners with McKenzie in the mix. The Eagles also loaded up with Nolan Ray transferring in from Maryland. This will be an important part of the offense in order to keep defenses on their toes.
4. Can the defense take the ball away?
This one is self explanatory. The Boston College defense ranked 128th in total last season. Ted Roof came in to be the defensive coordinator and has his hands full but turnovers must be the focal point. Boston College had just six interceptions and six fumbles recovered last season. The team forced 13 fewer turnovers than it did in 2024. The pass rush needs to get better but an experience group in the secondary returns led by KP Price and Carter Davis. The Eagles must find a way to generate more turnovers.
5. Will anyone get to three sacks?
This sounds like a simple feat, right? Wrong.
Boston College was last in the ACC with 17 sacks last season. Sedarius McConnell led the team with 2.5 sacks. That means no Eagle reached the three-sack mark in 12 games played.
The Eagles hit the portal along the defensive line as well in hopes of improving these numbers. Georgia transfer Kris Jones will get the chance to showcase himself after one year in Athens. Harvard transfer Alex DeGrieck and Buffalo transfer Demetrius Ballard also have big-time upside.
