CHESTNUT HILL — Back when Jaedn Skeete signed with Boston College, then-Eagles coach Jeff Hafley threw a pretty big compliment the receiver’s way.
Hafley said that the Catholic Memorial star was the best player in Massachusetts from that class of 2023.
Considering who else was coming out that year — the likes of Samson Okunlola (Thayer/Miami), Joenel Aguero (St. John’s Prep/Georgia), and Boubacar Traore (Catholic Memorial/Notre Dame), among others — that was saying a lot.
After taking in an Eagles spring practice on Saturday, it is hard not to look at Skeete and see that mountain of potential being realized.
Skeete looks bulked up from last season, and is one of the top receivers on a roster that is deep with good ones. But don’t sell Skeete short of being maybe the best one of the group.
Although he is listed at 6-foot-1, 176 pounds, he looks more filled out than that. He is a smooth, yet explosive, route runner, and is as adept working the middle of the field as he is deep corner routes.
“He’s done a really good job this winter of, like you said, working in the weight room, getting better, understanding our scheme and how we do things,” BC coach Bill O’Brien said. “I’ve been very happy with him, very happy.”
It is not hard to see why. As a true freshman last year, Skeete made some contributions late in the season. He caught 12 passes for 157 yards (13.1 per catch) and a touchdown.
His teammates are expecting big things from the Hyde Park native.
“He’s really good,” quarterback Thomas Castellanos said of Skeete. “From when he first came in until now, he’s grown so much. Just his instinct for football and learning the coverages with me. He’s made a lot of great plays for us, and I think he’ll have a really good season next year.”
Cornerback Amari Jackson was asked which receivers have been the toughest to cover in camp so far.
“Skeete, he’s real nice,” Jackson said. “It’s good to go against him.”
The wide receiver room is in good shape overall, and there are some newcomers who are going to be heard from. But maybe the best development for Castellanos and the rest of the offense is Skeete taking that next step.
If that happens, what Hafley said about Skeete might not seem like such a surprise.