Boston College is known for producing some of the most intelligent, athletic,
and hard working prospects for the National Football League. But through the
years they've only produced one first-round quarterback, Don Allard. In 1959,
the Washington Redskins made Allard their first round selection. And in
2008, current Eagles quarterback Matt Ryan will become the second BC quarterback
selected in the first round.
Not only will Ryan be selected in the first round, but Boston College also
has two more highly-touted players that will be considered first-round
selections: Gosder Cherilus and DeJuan Tribble. Since 2000, Boston College
has only produced four first-round picks: defensive tackle Chris Hovan (25th
overall in 2000), running back William Green (16th overall in 2002), offensive
tackle Marc Columbo (29th overall in 2002), and defensive end/outside linebacker
Mathias Kiwanuka (32nd overall in 2006). Ryan and Cherilus have a chance to be
selected in the top 15.
The second-ranked Eagles are 7-0 and have a lot of talent on both sides of
the ball. Most of their talent consists of seniors, which means Boston College
will go through a transition next season when a lot of their leadership enters
the NFL. The seniors who are destined to play at the next level make up Boston
College's best draft class ever.
Here's a look at the Eagles draft class and where I project them to land next
April:
QB, Matt Ryan (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 1st Round
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 220
Ryan is a smart, savvy field general who brings a lot of intangibles to the
football field. He's an excellent leader who makes smart decisions and puts his
teammates in the right position to make plays. He has great poise in the pocket
and plays well under pressure. He has a strong arm and has the ability to thread
the needle with most of his throws. He's not an elusive runner, but he's able to
get outside and make throws on the move. He shows great touch on his throws and
is accurate with his passes. Ryan will be in the mix with Brian Brohm and Andre Woodson to determine which quarterback will be the first off the board. Next
April's draft will be interesting, because a lot of the teams who're destined to
pick in the first half don't really have a need for a quarterback. Ryan is a
lock to be a first-round selection, but how high will he go? That will be
decided during the offseason.
OT, Gosder Cherilus (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 1st Round
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 319
Cherilus is an athletic, durable blocker who's one of the top offensive
tackles in the country. He's a versatile tackle who can play on either side of
the line and dominate. He possesses great technique, gets leverage against the
opposition, and moves well laterally to knock a speedy or physical end off his
rush. He has a great wingspan that he uses to jolt defenders initially. He
controls the opposition when he's engaged and is able to shut them down.
Cherilus is a definite first-round selection and will contend with Jake Long and
Sam Baker to determine his status next April.
CB, DeJuan Tribble (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 1st - 2nd Round
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 190
DeJuan Tribble breaks up a pass
George Frey/Getty Images |
Tribble is a playmaking cover corner with outstanding instincts. He has quick
feet, backpedals nicely and is smooth in coverage. He reads plays well and
anticipates a throw before it occurs. He has great closing speed and ball skills
that cause opposing quarterbacks to purposely throw away from him. He lacks
ideal height for a defensive back and has trouble against taller receivers, but
his awareness, quickness, and toughness make him an elite defender. He's a
versatile player who excels on special teams as a punt returner. He'll take some
chances as a return specialist, but he'll reward you with excellent field
position. Overall, Tribble is an excellent cornerback who can turn defense into
offense in a flash. The 2008 draft, if most of the draft-eligible players
declare, is deep at the cornerback position. Tribble is a borderline first-round
selection with all the talent that may be available, but he'll be one of the
first five corners off the board.
FS, Jamie Silva (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 3rd Round
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 210
Silva is one of the most underrated defensive backs in the country. He's an
outstanding player with great instincts and awareness. He has great size and
good speed. He's a very productive player who excels as being a centerfielder
type defender, who can read and react and make plays on the ball. He has a great
burst to the ball and displays excellent hands. He takes good angles in coverage
and provides insurance on deep routes. He's an aggressive player who defends the
run very well. Silva, who collected four interceptions last season and is the
all-time leading tackler in Boston College history, has produced five
interceptions this season and is leading the team in tackles with 55. He's a
player that will emerge as a first day selection with an excellent showing
during his offseason workouts.
LB, Jo-Lonn Dunbar (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 3rd - 4th Round
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 226
Dunbar is a quick, athletic linebacker who flies around the football. He has
an explosive first step and moves towards the action really well. He's a great
defender against the run and drops into coverage fluidly. He's a hard worker and
an excellent leader. He has great lateral movement and has the speed to play
sideline-to-sideline. He's a versatile player that can line up at all three
linebacker positions. Dunbar is currently playing at middle linebacker for the
Eagles, but at his size, he's better suited to play outside. He's a tremendous
athlete who will be a borderline Day-One selection, but most likely will be
drafted on day two.
DT, B.J. Raji (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 4th Round
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 325
Raji is a big, physical interior lineman who commands a lot of attention.
He's a good athlete who has a solid burst off the line, plays with leverage, and
bull rushes opponents up the field. He has a quick first step and immediately
penetrates upfield and makes plays in the backfield. He displays great strength
and brings down the opposition with his initial push. He gets off blocks very
well and can handle double teams. Raji was ruled academically ineligible this
season and was redshirted. Boston College is trying to convince Raji to come
back for his senior season, but the risk of suffering an injury next season will
only hurt his draft status even more. A big defensive tackle like Raji will
certainly get a lot of attention from NFL teams and is likely to be a high
second-day selection.
LB, Brian Toal (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 4th - 5th Round
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 252
Toal is a hard-nosed linebacker who plays with a lot of passion. He's a
strong, athletic, and active player who diagnoses the action and gets to the
ball. He positions himself well and is a sure tackler. He has good lateral
movement and makes plays sideline-to-sideline. He lacks ideal height and gets
caught in between the trees. He has to shed blocks better and not allow big
plays. It's highly unlikely that Toal, who decided to redshirt this season due
to injury, will enter next April's draft. He's had multiple neck and shoulder
injuries during his career at Boston College and underwent surgery in March to
repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. There's always a chance he could
declare for the draft, and if he does, he's no better than a mid-round
selection. If he plays out his senior season with the Eagles next season and has
a great year, he could go as high as being a 2nd round selection.
RB, Andre Callender (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 6th Round - UFA
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 204
Callender is a versatile running back who can beat you on the ground or out
of the backfield as a receiver. He's a good runner who has a nice blend of size
and speed and can pick up tough yards between the tackles. He has good vision,
follows his blockers, and shows elusiveness in the open field. He's a solid pass
catcher who allows his blockers to set up in front of him and gains positive
yards. Callender will be a late-round selection in a draft that has a lot of
talent at running back unless he impresses scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine.
A member of the Pro
Football Writers of America and the Football
Writers Association of America, Chris Steuber has
provided his analysis of the NFL and NFL Draft
prospects on the web and on the radio since 1999.