Screaming Eagles Blog: Last Week’s Verbal Commitments are Proof Steve Addazio and His Staff Own Massachusetts

Posted By on May 21, 2017

By John Sarianides

When Steve Addazio took the Boston College job in 2013, he said he wanted to build a fence around Massachusetts and keep all of the talent in the state at home. While Addazio and his staff has missed out on some local talent, last week was proof that they have indeed put up a fence and Massachusetts talent is choosing stay home and play at the Heights. 

Getting verbal commitments from Lawrence Academy’s Finn Dirstine and Ryan Betro is proof that the Eagles own the state when it comes to recruiting. It is also proof that they can recruit on the same level as some of the power programs in the country.

Dirstine for example was being recruited by several high profile programs around the country including: Alabama, Norte Dame, Michigan, Wisconsin and Miami. He chose Boston College over those schools because he wanted to stay closer to home and the relationship he established with Addazio and B.C offensive line coach Justin Frye. It also helps that Dirstine plays for Paul Zakauskas, a former Boston College offensive lineman who went on to play in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns.

Betro was also being recruited by several high profile schools including: Penn State, Pitt, Syracuse and Rutgers. The Walpole native chose to stay closer to home and play at Boston College.

As I mentioned earlier, Addazio and his staff have also let quality talent slip out of the state and end up playing in other programs. The best example perhaps is the Melinfonwu brothers. Both played at Grafton High School. Obi went to UConn and Ifeatu will be attending Syracuse this fall. Both are terrific athletes. Obi most certainly would have helped that Eagles the past three years.  

Things are looking up for Addazio and his staff however after a strong finish to the 2016 season and a solid 2017 recruiting class. Addazio and his coaches have been able to ride the wave into recruiting and it is clearly paying off. 

The 2018 recruiting class is shaping up to be even better than the 2017 class. Addazio and his staff have secured commitments from high profile recruits that could make an immediate impact. 

The Eagles coaching staff has indeed put up a fence around Massachusetts and the talent is staying home as a result. Things appear to be heading in the right direction at the Heights once again.