Boston College is one of the seven schools in the ACC who will have a new starting quarterback under center for the 2017 season. Former quarterback Patrick Towles left for the big leagues last season, but failed to be drafted.
The backup in the shadows: Darius Wade. He’s been at Boston College for three years waiting patiently for his time to come. He did get a chance to become the starter during his sophomore season but suffered a season ending ankle injury. Once he came back, he had to compete with Kentucky transfer Patrick Towles and eventually ended up on the sidelines.
“Going into spring ball, Darius is taking those starting snaps, because Darius has earned that, because Darius has been here, put his time in here, has gone through being a starter, then losing a season, then not being a starter,” coach Steve Addazio said, per the Boston Globe.
“Darius has that right to open up spring ball and take those starting reps, but they will compete during spring ball, and I think that’ll make our team better.”
Wade has only played in just 12 games in three seasons, has two touchdowns and interceptions on his stat sheet with and has 355 yards under his belt but he’s the Eagles’ most experienced option at the position. The coaching staff saw a little potential in 2015, but couldn’t judge his complete maturity since he went down with his injury in a 14-0 loss to Florida State in the third game. Last year, due to Towles dropping in and winning the starting job, Wade only appeared in seven games and threw 19 passes total.
His Competition
Although he is the presumptive starter, the job isn’t solely Wade’s yet, as he still will battle 6’1” redshirt freshman Anthony Brown.
Brown, recruited out of St. John Vianney Regional High School in New Jersey, has a combination of speed, arm strength and great mobility in the pocket that Addazio believes can be a weapon. Even with those qualities, he decided against playing Brown last season, hoping the year of development will make him even better.
“Anthony Brown has just got such a high ceiling, such a wealth of talent,” Addazio said. “In terms of naming a starter, I love open competition,” Addazio said. “I think competition brings out the best in everybody at every position.
The Eagles’ have yet to name a starter with the season about a month and a half away. Boston College will head to Northern Illinois on Sep. 1 for their first game.
