Top BC Targets in the Class of 2005

Here's a look at a dozen prospects who have BC offers, are highly ranked, and who would fill positions of need for the Eagles. This list will be updated throughout the summer and fall, so stay tuned.

Note- this list is based strictly on TheInsiders.com's rankings, hearsay and BC's positional needs. In no way does this list reflect the opinions of the Boston College coaching staff.

Click on a player's name to find out more information about them as well as schools of interest and past articles.

DE Melvin Alaeze

Ht: 6-2 Wt: 276 40: 4.6

Position:

DE

Projected as:

DT, DE

Position Rank:

6

Class:

2005 Senior

High School:

Randallstown HS (Randallstown, MD)

Need number one for the Eagles is on the defensive line, as BC will likely lose 3/4 starters after the 2004 season. Alaeze is one of the most talented d-linemen in the country and is an obvious choice for BC's top target. He is currently wide open in his recruiting.

TE James Dray

Ht: 6-5 Wt: 230 40: 4.6

Position:

LB

Projected as:

TE, LB

Position Rank:

11

Birthplace:

Paramus, NJ

Class:

2005 Senior

High School:

Bergen Catholic HS (Oradell, NJ)

Even with the addition of TE Jim Ramella to the Class of 2009, the Eagles are looking for another tight end who can stretch the field and provide mismatches in the secondary. Dray could be that guy.

LB Brian Cushing

Ht: 6-3 Wt: 227 40: 4.45

Position:

LB, WR

Projected as:

LB

Position Rank:

10

Birthplace:

Park Ridge, NJ

Class:

2005 Senior

High School:

Bergen Catholic HS (Oradell, NJ)

Linebacker is another need for the Eagles, and they have addressed that with a commitment from local LB Mike McLaughlin. They will take another LB or two in this class and Cushing as at the top of the list.

OL/DT Marques Slocum

Ht: 6-6 Wt: 335 40: 5.0

Position:

OG, DT

Projected as:

OL

Position Rank:

12

Class:

2005 Senior

High School:

St. John Neumann HS (Philadelphia, PA)

Slocum is being recruited on both sides of the ball and will be given a chance to play DT should he choose BC. He was reportedly at BC during one of the camp sessions and had an opportunity to talk to DL Coach Willis and defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka. Slocum is likely one of the Eagles' top overall targets.

WR Darrius Heyward-Bey

Ht: 6-3 Wt: 195 40: 4.36

Position:

WR

Projected as:

WR

Position Rank:

15

Class:

2005 Senior

High School:

Mc Donogh School (Owings Mills, MD)

Heyward-Bey has the height and speed at the receiver position that the Eagles are looking for to compete in the ACC. He is the highest rated wide receiver by TheInsiders.com showing BC interest and the Eagles were on him early. BC and Pitt are the only two Big East schools to have offered Heyward-Bey.

DT James McGillicuddy

Ht: 6-3 Wt: 285 40: 5.0

Position:

DT, OL

Projected as:

DT, OL

Position Rank:

NR

Class:

2005 Senior

High School:

St. Johns Preparatory School (Danvers, MA)

McGillicuddy might be the best pure DT the Eagles are recruiting this season. He is incredibly strong and has put up great numbers at various combines. Keeping a four-star prospect in-state has to be a priority for the Eagles, especially with their need at the DT position.

LB Tom McAndrew

Ht: 6-4 Wt: 243 40: 4.9

Position:

LB, TE

Projected as:

LB, DE

Position Rank:

NR

Class:

2005 Senior

High School:

Glenbard West HS (Glen Ellyn, IL)

McAndrew is another very talented linebacker who has listed BC as a favorite in the past. We hope to have word from McAndrew to update where he stands in his recruiting process.

DE Jamie Kirlew

Ht: 6-2 Wt: 217

Position:

DE, TE

Projected as:

DE, TE

Position Rank:

NR

Birthplace:

Orlando, FL

Class:

2005 Senior

High School:

Cypress Creek HS (Orlando, FL)

According to Kirlew's family, BC has been recruiting him for awhile now and was his first scholarship offer. He is likely at the top of the board for Tom O'Brien's staff given his position and his geographic location. BC is trying to make in-roads into ACC territory, and has already had some success in Florida over the years.

OL Patrick Sheil

Ht: 6-6 Wt: 275 40: 5.0

Position:

OL, DT

Projected as:

OL, DT

Position Rank:

11

Birthplace:

Centreville, VA

Class:

2005 Senior

High School:

Centreville HS (Clifton, VA)

Sheil is probably one of the top OL prospects on BC's board now that Brian Roche has verballed to Rutgers. Word is he wants to stay in Virginia, but he seems to still be interested in BC.

LB Jerome Hayes

Ht: 6-2 Wt: 225 40: 4.6

Position:

LB, RB

Projected as:

LB

Position Rank:

13

Class:

2005 Senior

High School:

Bayonne HS (Bayonne, NJ)

Hayes has been supposedly narrowing his list for quite some time, and it will be a big story when he decides who has made the cut. BC is alive for now as they have offered, and he could become an even higher target if he takes an official visit down the road.

WR/S Danny Oquendo

Ht: 6-2 Wt: 180 40: 4.4

Position:

WR

Projected as:

S, WR

Position Rank:

NR

Class:

2005 Senior

High School:

Hackensack HS (Hackensack, NJ)

BC likes this NJ athlete and he has the Eagles in his top four. He would be a WR for the Eagles as they are recruiting players with height and Oquendo fits that mold.

TE Joey Hiben

Ht: 6-4 Wt: 230 40: 4.7

Position:

TE

Projected as:

TE

Position Rank:

9

Class:

2005 Senior

High School:

Waconia Sr. (Waconia, MN)

Hiben would be the Eagles' second tight end in this class but BC seems to like Dray more. Hiben looks to be headed to either ND or Stanford but he has not ruled out the Eagles.