Preseason Notebook: The Quarterbacks (Day 3)

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CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Monday was about the quarterbacks. Looking at each of the gunslingers on the Heights, the Eagles offer an array of looks from under center. With newly-anointed quarterbacks coach Jonathan DiBiaso in the fold, and a reloaded quarterback room, the Eagles’ offense is poised to make a leap into their new era.

“[DiBiaso] does a great job. He’s one of the better younger coaches I’ve been around,” said head coach Bill O’Brien. “He’s very smart, he’s a good teacher, he knows the game, he played the game at that position, he studies hard, he works hard, he’s a good recruiter, and I think it’s really good we have him here at BC.”

DAY THREE DETAILS

Date: August 5

Location: Fish Field House

Weather: 84 and sunny

#1 – Thomas Castellanos – Junior – Waycross, Ga.

A Georgia native and a late transfer during the 2023 offseason, Thomas Castellanos is back with a full offseason, and a rejuvenated offense. After appearing in five games his freshman year at UCF, the versatile spark-plug started 12 games in his first year on The Heights, and played in all 13. Castellanos rewrote the BC history books, becoming the first player in program history to pass for 2,000+ yards and rush for 1,000+ yards in a single season. Earning offensive MVP honors of the Fenway Bowl to close the book on 2023, Castellanos is primed for a breakout second season with the Eagles.

“Playing quarterback…it takes a lot. Coming back, the guys already rallied around me,” said Castellanos. “It’s a family now, and getting those bonds and chemistry created this preseason should be great.”

Through three days of camp, Castellanos has shown he is still the dual-threat weapon that raced for the third-most rushing touchdowns in the conference in 2023. Through the first two days, Castellanos spread it out through the air, and his chemistry with returning wideout Lewis Bond started picking up on day two and into day three. During Monday’s session, Castellanos connected on several first downs to Bond. Veteran tight end Jeremiah Franklin also hauled in two first downs from Castellanos on Monday morning.

#7 – John Montague – Freshman – Zebulon, N.C.

John Montague enters camp as a true freshman out of Zebulon, North Carolina. Recruited as a dual-threat quarterback out of Clayton High School, Montague threw for 1,601 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior, while logging 2,578 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns, earning conference player of the year.

#14 – Grayson James – Junior – Duncanville, Texas

Grayson James transferred to BC from FIU, where he was named to the Conference USA Preseason Watch List in 2023. James earned All-Conference USA honorable mention honors in 2022, and brings an experienced college tenure to the Eagles’ quarterback room. James has settled into the offense throughout spring ball and the early days of preseason camp, and has demonstrated his ability to spread the ball around the field.

“We have a really good friendship,” said Castellanos on James. “He’s really smart… It’s great being competitive with each other, no bad blood, He’s a great guy, he’s helping me get better… it’s been really good having him around.”

From back-shoulder throws to Franklin, to screen outlets to Treshaun Ward, to improvising for first downs with his legs, James can impact the offense in a variety of ways. On Monday morning, the chemistry between James and Dino Tomlin continued to express itself on the field, with two connections and one first down in the first team session. He also linked up with Kye Robichaux for more than one completion out of the backfield, with James showing off his progressions on offense.

#15 – Shane Hanafin – Redshirt Sophomore – Burlington, Mass.

Shane Hanafin checks in as a third-year quarterback out of Buckingham Browne & Nichols high school in Cambridge, Mass. Hanafin brings a wealth of knowledge to the quarterbacks room and has made strong contributions during practice and in scout team periods.

#16 – Jacobe Robinson – Redshirt Freshman – Henderson, Texas

Jacobe Robinson redshirted his freshman year and enters year two firmly in the running for a spot on the depth chart. Coming out of high school, Robinson was ranked as a four-star recruit by ESPN, passing for 2,123 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior, and 1,800 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior.

#18 – Peter Delaportas – Redshirt Sophomore – Jefferson, N.J.

Peter Delaportas was a four-star recruit coming out of high school, and after redshirting his freshman year, he enters his third season with the Eagles. Delaportas was a highly-touted prospect out of high school, ranked as the No. 12 quarterback in his class, and the No. 1 quarterback out of New Jersey.

#19 – Jack Brandon – Redshirt Junior – Williamsville, N.Y.

The longest tenured member of the room. Jack Brandon enters his fourth season with the Eagles after red-shirting his freshman year back in 2021. Attending Cheshire Academy in Connecticut, Brandon threw for over 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns in three seasons of high school play.