Dylan Lonergan named starting quarterback of Boston College Eagles
Lonergan will make his Eagles debut in Boston College's season opener against Fordham on Saturday, Aug. 30 at Alumni Stadium. He beat out senior Grayson James for starting duties this summer, though O'Brien continues to say both quarterbacks will play during the upcoming season.
"We feel like he gives us the best chance to win right now," O'Brien said of naming Lonergan the starter on Tuesday. "I told Grayson James to absolutely be ready to play. You always have to be ready to play. We have a lot of respect or both guys. It was a true competition and I think the team saw that. I think both made the team better.
"When you can throw the football the way they both do and operate the offense at a high level, I think that makes the team better. I give credit to both guys," added O'Brien.
O'Brien initially helped recruit Lonergan to Alabama when he was the offensive coordinator of the Crimson Tide, and then brought him to Chestnut Hill over the winter to compete for Boston College's starting job. The head coach said it was a "great competition" between Lonergan and James, but the sophomore has played a bit better than the senior so far this summer.
"[Pocket awareness], command in the huddle, anticipation, accuracy, knowledge of the defense, knowledge of the offense," O'Brien highlighted in Lonergan's game. "In many ways, it was a great competition and we're going to go with Dylan."
Lonergan was a four-star recruit out of Georgia in the 2023 class. The 6-foot-2 quarterback has displayed a big arm in practice, but has limited game action. Lonergan threw just six passes for Alabama, completing five of those attempts for 23 yards.
James started five games for Boston College last season after Thomas Castellanos' surprising departure from the team, and led the Eagles to a 3-2 record in those contests. James racked up 1,202 yards with six touchdowns and a pair of interception as he completed 106 of his 166 passing attempts for the Eagles.
O'Brien said James was disappointed with Tuesday's decision, but will continue to do what he can to support everyone in the quarterbacks room and on the offense as a whole.
"[He was] obviously disappointed, but, just like, 'Coach, I'm going to be a great teammate.'" relayed O'Brien. "That's what you're looking for at Boston College. I can't say enough about the guy. I think he's got a future in football. He'll be ready to play if called upon."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
3 minutes ago
- CBS News
Payton Pritchard reportedly set to start for Celtics this season
Payton Prichard took home Sixth Man of the Year honors last season, but could be in line for a much different -- and bigger -- role with the Boston Celtics in the 2025-26 NBA season. With Jayson Tatum likely sidelined for the entire upcoming season with his Achilles injury, the Celtics are going to need some scoring punch alongside Jaylen Brown and Derrick White in the team's starting five. Newcomer Anfernee Simons, who was acquired by Boston for veteran guard Jrue Holiday, was seen as the likeliest candidate to slide into the starting five and put up points for the Celtics. But according to a new report by Grant Afseth of Joe Mazzulla will insert Pritchard into Boston's starting lineup next season while Simons will come off the bench -- if Simons remains with the team through camp. "The Boston Celtics appear poised to elevate Payton Pritchard into the starting lineup while using Anfernee Simons as a high-scoring option off the bench for the 2025–26 season if he remains on the roster, sources informed Afseth wrote Thursday. While Simons was the big return in the Holiday trade, which was a salary move made to help get Boston under the NBA's second apron, the Celtics are reportedly open to trading away the swingman before he suits up for the team. But if Brad Stevens can't find a taker ahead of the season, Simons will reportedly return to the bench role he served for the Blazers over his first three-and-a-half seasons in the NBA. As for Pritchard, he's certainly earned his potential elevation into the Boston starting lineup. He took home Sixth Man honors last season after he averaged 14.3 points off 47 percent shooting overall and 40.7 percent from three-point range, to go along with 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 0.9 steals per contest. Pritchard came off the pine for Boston in all but three of the 80 games he played last season. In his three starts, Pritchard's output ballooned to 21.7 points off 48 percent shooting with 7.3 assists, and 5.0 rebounds over seven additional minutes per game. In 17 starts during his five-year career, Pritchard has averaged 17.2 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds. While a Pritchard-White-Brown backcourt would pack a formidable scoring punch, there are some serious questions about Boston's frontcourt heading into the new season. With Kristaps Porzingis traded to Atlanta and Al Horford mulling retirement and an offer from the Golden State Warriors, the Celtics are going to rely on the likes of Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, and Chris Boucher down low. At least Pritchard should have plenty of chances to put the ball in the hoop in the upcoming season. While starting would rob the offensively gifted guard a chance to win back-to-back Sixth Man awards, no one would be surprised if Pritchard puts up some big numbers in his expanded role for the Celtics.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pregnant wife of former Knicks first rounder Danilo Gallinari speaks for first time since surviving shark bite
Italian sports journalist and wife of former New York Knicks first-round pick Eleonora Boi spoke publicly for the first time after being attacked by a shark in Puerto Rico. Boi, who was bitten on the thigh by a shark, recounted the experience during an appearance on "Good Morning America" on Thursday. Boi, who is pregnant, is expected to make a full recovery. She is due to deliver the couple's next child — which was not affected by the attack — in November. Despite that outcome, Boi said the experience left her "traumatized." Boi said she was wading out in waist deep water with the couple's two children when she felt a strong pain and burning on her thigh. She originally thought she had been stung by a large jellyfish but eventually realized she had been bitten by a shark. Boi said she started screaming for help. Gallinari, who was on the beach with one of the couple's daughter, ran out to help his wife. The couple was able to get everyone to safety, where a woman helped put pressure on Boi's thigh as they waited for help to arrive. Boi and Gallinari never got that woman's name, but thanked her during the appearance, per GMA. "She was an angel. Danilo was with me, and she helped so much. I would like to say thank you to this woman, because I don't know her name, and I just want to say thank you to her, because she helped a lot," said Boi. Doctors ran hours of test on Boi to ensure her baby was OK. Once that was determined, doctors performed an operation on Boi. She still makes weekly visits to the doctor, and is expected to make a full recovery. Gallinari is currently a member of Vaqueros de Bayamón, a team that plays in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional in Puerto Rico. Prior to joining them, Gallinari spent 16 seasons in the NBA. Gallinari, who is from Italy, began his NBA career with the Knicks, who selected him with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. His selection was loudly booed by Knicks fans at the event. Gallinari recovered from that to deliver two-and-a-half solid seasons in New York before he was traded to the Denver Nuggets. Gallinari played for six other NBA teams during his career.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
AP releases its all-time All-America college football team featuring some of the greatest names in the game
NEW YORK (AP) — AP releases its all-time All-America college football team featuring some of the greatest names in the game.
