CHESTNUT HILL - Boston College's football team welcomed 16 new members during a press conference at the Yawkey Athletics Center in Chestnut Hill, MA on National Signing Day, which was on Wednesday. The Eagles' class of 2016 consists of eight offensive players and eight defensive players representing six states and two countries.
"Obviously its an important day for college football teams," said Boston College head coach Frank Spaziani, who is entering his fourth year at the helm. "[It's] significant, and we'll find out in four or five years how important it was and how good it was.We're excited today about our signees, we have 16 of them."
On offense, the Eagles added three offensive linemen -- Jim Cashman, Win Homer and Frank Taylor -- while adding three wide receivers --- Marcus Grant, Harrison Jackson, Karim Zoungrana -- and two tight ends -- Dan Crimmins and Mike Giacone.
Defensively, the Eagles added four linebackers -- Steven Daniels, Tim Joy, Mike Strizak and Bobby Wolford -- while bringing on three defensive backs -- David Dudeck, Bryce Jones and Just Simmons. In addition, defensive end Malachi Moore will also join Boston College, rounding out the recruiting class.
"There are few things that excite the fan base more than thinking about the recruiting class and how it's going to affect the football program," said Spaziani. "I can tell you this, we're very excited about the 16 that we've signed. This is our third [year] of being in the program, having the full cycle of recruiting and evaluating and bringing young men in."
Boston College's recruiting class this year is ranked No. 72 overall in the nation by Scout.com. The Eagles did not land any Scout100 or Rivals100 players, nor did they sign any five-star recruits, but they did come away with two four-star recruits, 10 three-star recruits and four two-star recruits. Spaziani, however, isn't focused on the stars.
"I know there's a lot of ways to evaluate a recruiting class," he said. "There's ESPN, Rivals, Scout, 24/7 and who knows what else is out there that gets recruits stars, I think it's from one to five. There a lot of other ways to evaluate a recruiting class."
Spaziani was quick to note the success of Boston College's recruiting in the past, noting that the school has six graduates playing for either the New England Patriots or New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.
"A couple of other things I would point out is that we have six players on the Super Bowl roster," Spaziani said. "I think it's the most of any college out there."
Boston College will now have all of the spring and summer to integrate their 16 new recruits as it prepares for the 2012 season. The Eagles finished last season with a disappointing 4-8 overall record and a 3-5 mark in conference play.
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