With just under a week left in fall training camp and Game Week 1 right around the corner, the football season is rapidly approaching. Let’s take a look at the most important position on the field: the quarterback room.
Key Departures: Emmett Morehead
No surprises here, as the presumptive starter heading into the 2023 season lasted all of two drives before losing his job. After three seasons on the Heights (including ending the 2022 season as the starter after Phil Jurkovec went down), Morehead hit the transfer portal. He’s now at Old Dominion, where hopefully he will be able to start.
Key Returners: Thomas Castellanos
The man who replaced Morehead and went on to have one of the most prolific rushing seasons by a QB in BC history returns as the Eagle’s starter in 2024. After Hafley’s unexpected departure late in the cycle, there was some fear that Castellanos would leave and find a new home — but instead he stayed, declaring that BC gave him the opportunity to showcase his abilities and he wants to build something in Chestnut Hill. There’s no denying QB1’s raw athleticism or his commitment to the team and improving. He provided moments of magic last year, flashing tantalizing potential from his Houdini-esque 4th-down completion against NIU to the 4th-down TD against FSU to the 4-TD -performance against Army. His 957 rushing yards are the most of a returning QB, and he has had a full offseason as the starter to prepare for 2024. Yet for all of his ability, question marks certainly remain — especially as a passer. Castellanos finished the year with 2,146 passing yards for 15 TDs and 14 interceptions with only a 57.1% completion percentage. Bill O’Brien has made it clear his offense will throw the ball, and so Castellanos has focused heavily on his pocket-passing, ball security, and chemistry with receiver. O’Brien has been very complimentary of Castellanos, calling him one of the most hardworking and improved players on the roster. Equally important has been O’Brien’s steadfast commitment to Castellanos as his starter. Though he says the quarterbacks are all battling every day to improve, there is no question that TC will be the team’s starter. His development will go a long ways to determining BC’s ceiling this season.
Key Additions: Grayson James
Castellanos’ backup will be FIU transfer James. A 6’3, 226 pound junior, James is a more prototypical pocket-passer than TC. Reports from camp have been a mixed bag on James, although he has been held out of the last couple practices after picking up some minor nicks. He’s shown a live arm, with some zip on his throws to hit some tight windows, but also some propensity for turnovers and risky plays. Should anything happen to TC, James will be next in line and ready to go.
Hopefully we do not see any other quarterback take the field besides Castellanos or James (unless BC is up big in a blowout win). However, should such a situation arrive, redshirt freshman Jacobe Robinson is the clear third option right now. He’s an excellent athlete and a dual threat at QB. Whereas Castellanos is electric and elusive as a runner, however, Robinson is more of a power runner at 6’3 and 220 pounds. Robinson is still very raw, but he’s seen some reps with the 2s during training camp while James is out and has flashed. He could be the future of the position for the Eagles. With less than two weeks until the Eagles take on FSU, the countdown is on. Castellanos and co. will need to be ready.