Recruiting Notebook: Skill position talent

There are plenty of reasons to believe 2013 could be a big recruiting year for Boston College. There are several local talents that have expressed a high level of interest in BC and even some guys not so close to campus have said things that could excite folks.

Much has been written about linemen in the current crop of juniors. John Montelus, Tevin Montgomery, Maurice Hurst Jr., Mike McGlinchey and several other big men give us reason to believe the trenches could get a boost next February.

BC has also been active in offering quarterbacks, as has been documented.

What about the skill position talent that's on the board? That's what we address here. We'll limit our focus to just a few spots: Running back, wide receiver and defensive back.

Running back

Let's start out with the prospect that has shown the most interest. That would be Godwin Igwebuike, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound back from Pickerington (Ohio) North.

Those that are looking for bold statements and proclamations of favorites might be disappointment but that's not for a lack of interest. Igwebuike will be running track for a while and he's taking his time with the process. Nonetheless, Igwebuike has an offer from the Eagles and we're hearing there's legit interest coming from his end as well. His parents are big fans of everything Boston College offers and a spring or summer trip could solidify BC's status as a school to beat here.

BC is Igwebuike's best offer so far but if Big Ten schools start to get more involved there could be a heated battle. Expect him to wait to find out what all of his options will be, but for now we're cautiously optimistic.

Keeping it in Ohio the Eagles appear to be in solid early shape with Keith Watkins of Forest Park (Ohio) Moeller. His offer list is a big lengthier than Igwebuike's and it might be a chore to lure him out of Big Ten country, but don't be surprised if he visits sometime soon.

Beyond those two the Eagles have been active in offering some of the nation's best backs and they might best be classified as long shots right now. That list would include A.J. Turman of Orlando (Fla.) Boone and Taquan Mizzell of Virginia Beach (Va.) Bayside.

Galloway (N.J.) Absegami junior back Rashad Kinlaw is sitting on an offer from Rutgers and we feel it's likely the Eagles will eventually offer him. He's definitely one to keep an eye on as we move deeper into the 2013 recruiting cycle.

It's no secret the Eagles are hitting Virginia hard this year and don't be surprised if an offer eventually goes out to Jaylen Avent, a 5-foot-8, 185-pound all-purpose back from Woodbridge (Va.).

Boston College and Virginia Tech have shown the most interest in Avent. The Hokies would probably have the upper hand if they offered but that could be the hang up. Virginia Tech took three running backs in the last class and they're looking good with Daniel Reid, another in-state back. They will also pursue Mizzell and Derrick Green, another in-state back numbered among the best in the nation. Of course, they could always offer Avent late in the process or for another position, but if BC offers and makes the case he could get early playing time then the Eagles would be in good shape.

Running back Alex Moore from St. John's Prep is planning to be at BC on Saturday and we'll be touching base with him after that trip to find out how it went and where he stands with the coaches.

Speaking of under the radar backs, we're hearing BC hosted Noel Thomas, a versatile athlete that could be a running back or any number of positions. The Connecticut junior doesn't have any offers yet.

Wide receiver

Dionte Taylor, a 6-foot, 165-pound receiver from Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) University School, has been open about the fact that BC is at the top of his list.

Of course, Ryan Day had been recruiting Taylor for the Eagles so it will be interesting to see whether BC has staying power when a new coach takes over those duties. Taylor's offer list is growing and if an in-state school or an SEC program offers it will test BC's position.

The Eagles will be working hard to make sure Taylor visits the school so their lead doesn't evaporate.

Another junior the Eagles have to feel pretty good about is Kyle Queiro out of Bergen Catholic. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound prospect is a big-time talent and has been to Boston College twice already. He grew up a Notre Dame fan so if the Irish offer that could be a big hurdle. For now, though, of his offers BC appears to be in good shape with Queiro.

Keeping it in New Jersey, Charles Callinan is a big 6-foot-4 target out of St. Peter's that is definitely high on the board and under consideration for an offer. Rutgers offered him very early and he has some ties to West Virginia but the Mountaineers haven't offered.

We're hearing Callinan is planning to visit on Thursday so that could give the Eagles the opening they need.

Also scheduled to visit on Thursday is Mike Rapoza, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound receiver/defensive back from New Bedford that has remained under the radar until now.

Columbus (Ohio) Walnut Ridge wide receiver Rob Wheelwright reportedly likes the Eagles but he's also waiting for an Ohio State offer. He's also more likely to visit Big Ten schools than BC in the immediate future.

Wilmington (Dela.) St. Elizabeth's Andre Patton should emerge as one of the east coast's top receivers and the Eagles are on him as well.

Tyler Boyd is one of Pennsylvania's best receivers and the Clairton prospect picked up an early offer from the Eagles. He appears more intent on visiting other schools right now, however.

Moving back down to Virginia, Salem's Kwamane Bowens has an offer from the Eagles but the in-state schools have been turning up the heat as well. He doesn't have plans to visit just yet.

Defensive back

The coaches aren't going to shy away from recruit five-star types like Kendall Fuller, out of Good Counsel, but there are other targets out there that BC appears to have a much better shot with.

Fuller's teammate at Good Counsel, Kirk Garner, is talking about taking a trip to BC but there are a lot of other schools pressing him to visit as well. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound corner has offers from Florida State, BC, Penn State, West Virginia and a host of others, so he's an elite prospect in his own right.

Boston College was the first school to offer Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga cornerback Devin Butler and the emerging prospect has told EagleAction.com that's something that will always stick with him. The Eagles offered Butler after the January junior day and since then his recruitment has blown up with plenty of other offers coming in.

Solon (Ohio) corner Darian Hicks has an offer from the Eagles but he appears to be a long shot with Big Ten schools holding the upper hand early. That appears to be identical to BC's position with Ross Douglas out of Avon (Ohio).

Yesterday BC played host to Lucas Bavaro, a local safety from St. John's, though he doesn't have an offer yet.

There's no doubt much of the buzz has been about junior linemen so far, and the locals especially. However, there are plenty of skill position players on the board showing interest in BC.

With a real need to add some help at running back there is some reason for optimism, though wide receiver is the position BC looks strongest at of the skill positions.