Image courtesy of BC Athletics

By Alan Segel
NEFJ Correspondent

CHESTNUT HILL — When you are playing for a New Jersey High School powerhouse like DePaul Catholic in Wayne, New Jersey and you are one of the defensive stars as Vinny DePalma was back in 201 7(listed as the best inside linebacker in New Jersey by ESPN), it seems like a natural progression where you are going next.

“I’m a Jersey guy, I grew up watching Boston College, it is close to home and only three and a half hours away,” DePalma said recently. “I knew some of the guys on then Head Coach Steve Addazio’s staff. They were great to me and said that even if the assistant coaches or the head coach are not there BC is the right place because of how the school essentially operates in terms of the administration and the people here.”

So, Boston College was the choice (over Navy, Rutgers, Duke, Pitt, Wisconsin and Temple) and neither the school nor the player have regretted any moment.

The assistant coach who mentioned that there could be changes was spot on. DePalma played for Addazio for two seasons before Jeff Hafley came on board late in 2019. However, it was not until the 2021 season that DePalma got to play for Hafley. An Achilles injury kept him out of the 2020 Covid season. It also gave him – and every other student athlete – an extra year which is how DePalma made it on to the roster here in 2023 as a sixth-year grad student.

It did not take long for DePalma to endear himself to Hafley, who knew right away that he had a special player, hard worker, natural leader and coach on the field.

“He represents BC football,” Hafley said of DePalma. “He works at it and he plays with passion. Nobody is going to outwork him in terms of how hard he plays and how hard he studies the game. He is a role model on and off the field. He does well in school, he is an unbelievable human being and he is a tough, tough dude. I wish we could get him for a 7th year.”

Hafley actually did look into the possibility of an extra season, but because that Achillies injury forced him to sit during 2020, the rules prevent programs from double dipping and combining eligibility years. Hafley’s thoughts that DePalma provides great leadership on and off the field actually undersells him a bit. He is the heart and soul of the Boston College program and his teammates will readily acknowledge that as fact.

Wide Receiver Dino Tomlin, who transferred from Maryland to Boston College in 2022, raves about DePalma who says he was a “great dude” to him since he arrived. “He made sure I felt like I was part of the team as a transfer. He’s older than us as a grad student but you can tell he’s mature beyond his years.”

Freshman wide receiver Jaedn Skeete hails from Hyde Park and Catholic Memorial and says as a young player, if he ever has questions “I just go to Vinny. He’s always there, knows what he is talking about, he’s got our back and we have his.”

DePalma on the field has accrued some solid numbers. In his career he has 266 tackles (144 solo-122 assisted). He has two and a half sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries from his inside linebacker position. In 2022 he was named the recipient of the Swede Nelson Award by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston, an award given for sportsmanship, academics and athletics achievement. He was also named All ACC honorable mention in 2022.

DePalma is a student of football. He loves the game and the game loves him. The two might still be linked when he leaves Boston College too.

Will he be addressed someday as ‘Coach Vinny?’ “Yes, I think so”, says DePalma.

“I’m the son of a coach. My dad has been coaching high school football for 30 years and I grew up around a lot of special people that have certainly shaped the person I am, the player I am, and I am very fortunate for those people. I would say they have been the biggest influences in my life.”

He has played 48 games to this point in his career. The last time he will put on his uniform at home will be the day after Thanksgiving against Miami on Senior Day. It will be emotional as one of the all-time great Boston College players and leaders will say good bye.

However, when you think about things, maybe DePalma will indeed still be prowling the BC sideline next season. Jeff Hafley surely has that thought.

“I would hire him tomorrow to coach, it is how highly I think of him,” he said with a grin.

There are many that would surely like to see next year’s depth chart with the words ‘Vinny DePalma. Assistant Coach.’