With Friday's season-opening game just days away, Boston College football has released its depth chart for Week One against Northern Illinois. Some of the information on the chart should come as little surprise, while others show some different thinking.

Going position-by-position:

Quarterback: Should come as no surprise. Head coach Steve Addazio hasn't tipped his hand at the position prior to opening day in the last three years I've been covering the team. Technically it's still a race between Darius Wade and Anthony Brown, one that has seemingly heated up over the last couple of weeks.

Running back: Again no surprise here that Jonathan Hilliman, the experienced redshirt junior, would get the technical "top spot" over A.J. Dillon, the four-star recruit who has impressed thus far in camp. Hilliman and Dillon are joined by Davon Jones, Richard Wilson, and Travis Levy, the last of whom is another true freshman. All five will likely be used in different situations, but again, little surprise.

Fullback: Ray Marten and Colton Cardinal were in the running from the beginning. Little surprise.

X-Receiver: The senior, Charlie Callinan, comes as no surprise in this position, with Elijah Robinson behind him. These receiver spots are interchangeable to an extent, but as the most-tenured route runner Callinan works in this position.

A-Receiver: Ben Glines hasn't had any stand out moments in the little practice I've seen, but there's no doubt about it that he's a uniquely talented weapon, especially here in the slot. Michael Walker and Nolan Borgersen have shown that repeatedly too. This could be BC's best group of slot receivers under Addazio.

Z-receiver: Jeff Smith and Kobay White are listed here as the deep threats. Again, not a surprise, and should be the best deep receiving corps that Addazio has had since coming to BC.

Tight end: A little surprised not to see Korab Idrizi on the opening depth chart here at tight end behind Tommy Sweeney and Chris Garrison, but it may matter little anyway as Sweeney will likely get the bulk of the time no matter what.

Left tackle: We've known for quite some time that Aaron Monteiro would be the starting left tackle. It's put up or shut up time for him. Austin Stevens is capable and ready to take his place behind him.

Left guard: John Phillips and Sam Schmal will likely rotate at the spot once supposed to be held by the now-injured Elijah Johnson. With interchangeable rest, the two should be ready to compete regularly.

Center: No surprise with the veteran Jon Baker. A very good center for the Eagles to have up front. Alec Lindstrom makes another true freshman on the roster that is on the depth chart, but somewhat surprising that Shane Leonard, who played for Baker all spring, didn't make the cut here.

Right guard: Chris Lindstrom, the Eagles' best offensive lineman, is listed back at his old position, with Phillips behind him. There's no doubt that Lindstrom will be a stellar right guard. However...

Right tackle: Lindstrom is also right behind graduate transfer Marcell Lazard at right tackle. Lindstrom had been practicing at the tackle position, while Lazard has not particularly impressed. He'll have to step up quickly, to prevent the revolving door of graduate transfers that Addazio has had to impose at the position. True freshman Ben Petrula also cracks this list. He's done very well thus far.

DEFENSE

Defensive end: The easiest depth chart decision of them all. Harold Landry and Zach Allen will be at the positions. Good depth behind them too with Wyatt Ray, Tanner Karafa, and Bryce Morais. I feel we will see a lot of them on the field as well.

Defensive tackle: Noa Merritt and Ray Smith, who have both been pegged as the starters, still top the chart. It may be a position of concern for size purposes, but it's definitely not a position without experience.

Strongside linebacker: Easily the best decision of this depth chart was moving Connor Strachan over to strongside linebacker. He's so naturally talented that he should easily slide over to the position. Addazio and defensive coordinator Jim Reid are prioritizing talent at linebacker over the set positions. It's a great move, with two competent players--including freshman Isaiah McDuffie--behindd him.

Middle linebacker: Max Richardson's quick ascent is why Strachan has moved over. Richardson profiles very well at the position, and would be stuck behind Strachan if he stayed at MLB. This move allows BC to put its three best linebackers on the field in starting roles.

Weakside linebacker: Ty Schwab will be reprising his role from last season, with several young linebackers behind him.

Cornerback: Isaac Yiadom and Kamrin Moore, the cornerback starters of the last three years, will get to cap off their senior year at the position. Taj-Amir Torres and Hamp Cheevers are two good weapons behind them.

Strong safety: Will Harris has played at safety for the Eagles since freshman year, and should be a breakout candidate again this year.

Free safety: Lukas Denis starting here doesn't come as a surprise. Gabriel McClary's move to safety from cornerback, however, should give him more playing time.

SPECIALISTS:

Kicker: Max Schulze-Geisthovel has long since been named the kickoff man. It appears, however, that there's still competition between Colton Lichtenberg and Mike Knoll for field goals. My money is on Lichtenberg.

Punter: Knoll will return to the job he had last year, giving Grant Carlson one more year to prepare.

Returner: Michael Walker will come back in his primary role, one with which he had a lot of success in 2015. Torres and Cheevers will also be good options behind him.

Long snapper: Sneakily the longest tenured position needing replaced by the Eagles, Jimmy Martin will take over for four-year starter Leonard Skubal.