AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. -- Boston College will have a slightly different look at receiver this season, but a lot of that is not by design.
The Eagles not only have to deal with losing top receiver Alex Amidon, they also have to start the season without Harrison Jackson, who tore his ACL during the spring. The news is particularly disheartening, as Jackson worked his way back following a scary injury last year against New Mexico State, when he was hospitalized after collapsing and having trouble breathing following a hit to the chest.
Without him, Boston College will be relying on much bigger players at receiver.
"We took Josh Bordner and we moved him to that position. He’s a big receiver, but he’s kind of a hybrid guy who’s not going to attach, but he’s going to do a lot around the box," Boston College coach Steve Addazio said. "And then Danny Crimmins, both those guys are 6-4, 6-5, 240-pound guys and are receivers, but it gives us an interesting dimension. It makes us a little different.
"We’re not going to have that great vertical push. Harrison was a guy that had a little bit of speed and decent size, but I think we’re going to become bigger. Maybe that’s our niche. We’ll have a couple little guys. For us, you get the little fast guy sometimes, but we get the big receivers and they pose another problem for you. I’m excited with where we are a little bit.
For the speed dimension, the Eagles could rely on sophomore Drew Barksdale, and are hoping their incoming freshman class can contribute as well. Sherman Alston is one name to keep in mind, a player with speed who can be a hybrid receiver.
There also is the possibility that Shakim Phillips could return to the program as a fifth-year graduate. Phillips started his career at BC before transferring to UConn. He was dismissed from the Huskies program this spring. Phillips is working on graduating by the summer, which would make him eligible immediately.
