The Bill O’Brien era officially gets started on Monday night on national television.

The buzz around BC has been palpable since the wheels were put in motion for a crazy eight months back in January. Now, after so much talk, prognostication and just overall talking things to death, we’ll all finally find out just how different BC can be under this new regime.

Before then, here’s a look at the offense, defense and special teams units heading into 2024 and how each one can impact the Eagles’ success:

Offense

Everything goes through Tommy Castellanos at quarterback. The guy who rushed for over 2,000 yards last season has the attention of the ACC and he has the ability to grab the attention of the rest of the country this season. Castellanos needs to become a better passer and decision maker if he’s going to be a complete QB though, and the trio of Bill O’Brien, Will Lawing and Jonathan DiBiaso may be the group that can get him to that next level. Castellanos had 15 TD’s and 14 interceptions in 2023, a number that will have to be drastically different if they’re going to be successful.

Grayson James had firmly cemented himself as the No. 2 early in camp, but has been out with an undisclosed injury for the last couple weeks, allowing Jacobe Robinson to take over the backup role. Freshman Jonathan Montague – who is also a wide receiver – has been taking the third team reps recently.

Wide receiver is as deep as it’s ever been for BC, providing an ideal supporting cast for Castellanos. Texas Tech transfer Jerand Bradley and freshman Reed Harris are two big bodies who can out run or out muscle defenders for the ball. Bradley had 92 catches for 1,274 yards and 10 touchdowns in three years with the Red Raiders. In 2022 he had 51 grabs for 744 yards and six touchdowns before catching 36 balls last season for 431 yards and four TD’s. The 6’5,” 225lb. receiver gives BC that big threat outside they haven’t had in a long time. He could also end up lining up in the slot on occasion too. You’ve also got Lewis Bond, who exploded on the scene last year with 52 catches for 646 yards and seven touchdowns and is as confident as any receiver in the nation. Add in local CM product Jaedn Skeete who’s ready to take his game to the next level and transfer Jayden McGowan out of Vanderbilt and there’s tough matchups all over the field. Harris sort of came out of nowhere during minicamp and brought it into the summer, establishing himself as a serious weapon for this offense. Dino Tomlin, Luke McLaughlin and Nate Johnson could all make an impact on any given snap too. 

The running back room is extremely deep with five guys that can cause problems. Kye Robichaux is looking to follow up on his 780 yard, eight-TD season, but he doesn’t have to do it all by himself. Former FSU and Kansas State running back Treshaun Ward is built like a fire hydrant and can pose problems as a pass catcher too. Another CM product Datrrell Jones earned carries with a fantastic training camp and Jordan McDonald (UCF) adds a dynamic set of skills. Even a guy down on the death chart like Anthony Ferrucci could have his number called at any given time. 

At tight end, transfer Kamari Morales – who played with Drake Maye last year at UNC – adds a nice weapon in the passing game that BC hasn’t really had since Hunter Long. Jeremiah Franklin is still here and going to surprise some people as a pass catcher this season. Matt Ragan and Danny Edgehill provide some nice depth pieces if needed, but a lot is expected of those top two guys. 

The offensive line is deep and experienced…when healthy. After a fantastic first season with BC in 2023, Logan Taylor has missed training camp recovering from an offseason procedure. When he’s in, Taylor, Ozzy Trapilo and Drew Kendall make up as good a group of three linemen as there is in the ACC. Jude Bowry and Jack Conley are in the other two spots and if Bowry can’t go for some reason, you’ll see Dwayne Allick and Kevin Cline stepping in. The BC defensive line is very good (more on them in a minute) but the line struggled to protect for Castellanos at time in camp. No matter who is in, O-line coach Matt Applebaum will have this team running the football though, it’s just a matter of staying healthy and giving TC enough time.

Defense

The defensive line is arguably BC’s greatest strength heading into 2204. With Neto Okpala, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Cam Horsely and George Rooks up front, ACC offenses might have a problem this season. Okpala was unblockable at times during camp, as was Ezeiruaku. Ezeiruaku has a chance to be one of the conference’s elite pass rushers and Horsely and Rooks provide some serious muscle in the middle. Both guys can push the pocket and also quickly shed blocks to stuff the run. This group made life miserable for the offensive lines for about a week straight towards the end of camp. This is also a deep room, with guys like Quintayvious Hutchins, Sedarius McConnell, Josiah Griffin, Kwan Williams, Edwin Kolenge, Gilbert Tongrongou and Owen Stoudmire almost certain to see some significant run.

Linebacker has been a question for a few years now, but BC may have found a special talent. Daveon Crouch has been extremely impressive. The junior has just 18 career tackles in 21 appearances, but he’s elevated his game and taken over as one of the top linebackers on the team. Kam Arnold is in the same camp as Ezeiruaku when it comes to potential top-of-the-ACC at his position by the end of the season. Yet another CM product Owen McGowan has earned a role on this team with a great camp, racking up three or four interceptions. Look for Sione Hala to surprise a lot of people and be a physical tone setter for this defense too. Bryce Steele will be involved, it’s just tough to know how much until we start getting into game action. Joe Marinaro is a name to watch. He’ll serve as the special teams captain, but can also carve out a spot in Tim Lewis’ defense is the depth is tested.

As for the secondary, it could be elite. Amari Jackson has cemented himself as the team’s No. 1 corner, but it’s the depth behind them that should intrigue BC fans. Another CM Knight Max Tucker and Ohio State transfer Ryan Turner have been very good in camp. Another Ohio State guy Cam Martinez is extremely versatile, as is Khari Johnson, who you’ll see in several different spots on the field. KP Price and Jalen Cheek are poised to have big years at safety. Bugg Jones and freshman Carter Davis, along with Cole Batson, Victor Nelson and Kahlil Ali make up another deep room.

Special Teams

Right now, it’s Luca Lombardo’s job as Liam Connor simply hasn’t kicked much in camp. At punter, Sam Candotti should handle most duties. Bryant Worrell is the long snapper. For the last several years, BC has wanted to have an explosive guy in the return game, whether it was Say Flowers or Ryan O’Keefe, but it never worked out. Well, Jayden McGowan could be that guy. He’s got the chance to be electric and guys like Ward and Turbo Richard will get opportunities as well. BC needs to make special teams special again if they’re going to win games like the one they have against FSU on Monday night,

Final record prediction – (9-3)

That’s right, I’m going there again. But, admittedly it’s difficult not to root for this team to do well being around them as much as we are (an opportunity we don’t take for granted). I also genuinely think there’s a ton of talent here, it’s just a matter of putting it all together for an entire season. The expectation and standard has unquestionably changed in a matter of months under O’Brien, mediocrity is no longer tolerated. Unfortunately, given the fact the team hasn’t won more than eight games since 2009, even someone like me who hasn’t always rooted for the Eagles can get wrapped up in the state of constant worry BC fans seem to be in.

This is my sixth year covering the team and everything looks and feels different. This is the year BC comes back to relevance both nationally and locally. It has to be.