Recruiting Notebook

EagleAction.com is pleased to introduce a new feature that we're sure you're going to really enjoy -- the Recruiting Notebook. From time to time and hopefully on a regular basis we'll be compiling some insider information that we've received from our best, most reliable sources. You'll still be hearing about visitors and other news as soon as we get hold of it but the Notebook will be a more thorough look at some of the trends and happenings affecting the recruiting scene for the Eagles.

Let's get right to it!

As you all know there are very few scholarships remaining for BC in the Class of 2012. It's impossible to know exactly how the numbers game will work at this point but the Eagles will probably just be taking two or three more commitments from here on out.

Official visitors and where BC stands

We should know a little more about where BC stands after this weekend. As we reported, Nana Kyeremeh, Sam Grant and Akeel Lynch are the official visitors for this weekend.

While Grant is rock solid, Lynch has continued to entertain interest from a number of schools that are pursuing him. This week Lynch told EagleAction.com that he's hearing from Arkansas, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Connecticut. The Athol Springs (N.Y.) St. Francis running back will probably be taking official visits to BC, Iowa and Illinois. Of course, there's a chance that a great visit to BC this weekend causes Lynch to shut it down, but it's likely that he will at least visit Iowa on December 9.

The Hawkeyes are casting a wide net at running back but at least one of our sources told us they'd be happy to have Lynch. Iowa feels good about their position with four-star running back Greg Garmon. He's scheduled to make his decision in January in Arizona at the Semper Fi game and many believe the Hawkeyes would be the choice if he had to make it today. Iowa had been pursuing David Smith, the three-star Illinois back that BC is also working on, but Smith and the Hawks recently parted ways. Interestingly, Iowa will be bringing in another running back committed to another school on the day they host Lynch. Rodrick Williams, a Minnesota commit, will be in town as well. They'd probably prefer Lynch but Iowa will probably want two running backs from here on out and they're hoping one is Garmon. With that other slot they might take the first to commit, and there will probably be some pressure for someone to pull the trigger. Point being, BC fans should hope Lynch's official goes very well and the staff is able to cement things.

Getting back to Smith, the Eagles remain in great shape and that's good news because sources tell us he remains one of the top few prospects on the wish list. He had a great official visit early in the month, in spite of the loss to Florida State, and BC is right in there with Purdue and West Virginia. He did enjoy his official to Purdue a couple of weeks back and he's going to be at West Virginia on December 9. He could take another official somewhere else and if he does it might be to Georgia Tech. Sources are telling us that the Yellow Jackets have come on strong of late.

Lake Forest (Ill.) Academy four-star defensive end Faith Ekakitie has narrowed his list to BC, Northwestern, Iowa and Georgia Tech, in no particular order. That's not a surprise but it's big news considering how high he rates on the BC board. He visited BC, Iowa and Tech back-to-back-to-back earlier this month. On Ekakitie's blog he has been extremely candid, pointing out that Iowa's campus and dorm rooms weren't impressive. He also pointed out that Iowa's academics aren't on par with the other schools he's looking at. Iowa does have a solid, stable program working in their favor, and he sees an opportunity to get on the field early.

Ekakitie was much more intrigued by the BC campus. More important than that he pointed out that he has a stronger relationship with the BC coaches than he does with the coaches at any of the other schools recruiting him. The down side? Ekakitie noticed some tension between the players after the BC loss and he didn't mesh as well with the personalities of some of the folks in the area as he did elsewhere. He also sees playing time available at Boston College.

Sources say Ekakitie's family would love to see him at Boston College but they won't be making the decision.

We continue to hear that Kyeremeh is in that top tier on the Eagles' wish list and BC is looking good there as well. His last official was to West Virginia weeks ago so the Ohio corner is anxious to hit the road again. Kyeremeh was supposed to visit BC much earlier in November but those plans got pushed back. He's an attractive prospect because he has the size and skill set to play either corner or safety.

For the past few weeks it has looked like a two-horse race between the Mountaineers and Eagles, as other schools have either filled up or started looking at other options.

Other top targets

Speaking of top tier prospects still in play, Jamil Pollard is a guy BC is in great shape with. The four-star defensive tackle from Westville (N.J.) West Deptford has an outstanding relationship with Mike Dawson and the problems at Penn State have only helped the Eagles' chances. The former Nittany Lion commit was actually supposed to visit Boston College this weekend but it appears as though that trip might be pushed back a bit. Not to worry, BC is still on his list. It's a list that's pretty short with Rutgers and East Carolina. As is the case with Ekakitie, BC probably has the best relationship with him, so a strong visit could seal the deal.

Another defensive tackle, Jaxon Hood out of Arizona, continues to take a hard look at Boston College. EagleAction.com reported on him after his official to BC earlier in November and that trip went extremely well. This one might require just a little bit of patience, though. Hood will be taking official visits to Washington State and Fresno State in December. Those two, plus BC, comprise Pollard's top three.

We're hearing that at this point BC is probably the odds-on favorite in this one. UCLA and Washington have been showing a lot of interest but haven't offered yet.

The next tier

Our sources have told us that the above prospects are the top targets for the Eagles and BC is looking good with all of them. Fabian Moreau is still awaiting an offer and he might get one if the Eagles miss on some of the above guys. Four-star receiver Gabriel Marks would probably be considered a top target but for the fact that it's not clear how interested he really is in BC. He'll take an official but it's entirely possible that he sticks with his verbal commitment to SMU. One of his favorites was UCLA but with Rick Neuheisal's ouster it's not clear whether the Bruins have staying power. Vanderbilt is a school that has a lot of momentum in this one as well and we've heard that a good visit to Nashville could really propel the Commodores into a frontrunner position. Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas safety Vernon Harris is still on the radar but don't expect an offer anytime soon.

A look ahead...

There's still a long way to go with 2012 but BC is already scouring the nation for 2013 talent. There are plenty of offers out to guys that have already become familiar names to BC recruitniks but we're hearing that several other guys are getting a hard look. Here are some new names that you'll be hearing more about in the months ahead, especially after February.

Brandon Bell is a 6-foot-2, 216-pound linebacker from Mays Landing (N.J.) Oakcrest and he's intriguing because he's a good athlete for his size and can play on either side of the ball. He doesn't have any offers yet but sources tell us the Eagles will be evaluating him and have put some feelers out.

Staying in New Jersey, keep an eye on TJ Taylor, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound athlete that could be a skill position player on offense or defense. He doesn't have blazing speed but Taylor has a long stride and a solid upside. We've heard that BC, Rutgers and South Carolina would be in great shape here.

Another 2013 safety the Eagles reportedly like is Oren Burks out of Lorton (Va.) South County. At 6-foot-4, Burks has rare size for a defensive back and may be able to play wide receiver at the college level. He hasn't drawn offers from the in-state schools yet but BC is showing a lot of interest. The coaches might be spending a lot of time in Virginia over the next year as several prospects from the state are hearing from the Eagles.

Dionte Taylor has already received verbal offers from Eastern Michigan, Marshall and Miami-OH, and the Florida receiver has been hearing from a lot of schools in the south and beyond. He's not the fastest kid in the state but he has good ball skills and the Eagles are scouting him.

Keeping it in Florida, Anthony Lauro could play either running back or receiver and the 5-foot-10, 170-pounder from Bradenton (Fla.) Manatee is an explosive athlete with game breaking speed. Expect to hear a lot more about him in the weeks ahead as he starts to visit more schools with the season over. Sources tell us if BC can somehow secure a visit they could have a shot.

That's it for the first edition of the Recruiting Notebook. Keep it with EagleAction.com for all the latest BC recruiting news.

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