101 Days of BC Football: Brian Mihalik, #99

Finally, the last of the players we’ve seen before on the Boston College football team before turning our attention to the new guys, the coaches, and the mad dash of season previews until kickoff on September 1. Like a handful of other young men on this team, the last one of the returning faces is from Ohio. Meet Brian Mihalik, true sophomore defensive end out of Avon Lake.

Mihalik’s time at Avon Lake High School, just to the west of Cleveland, was highly successful, as he won state and regional honors as a defensive lineman. He also played tight end for his old team, though as far as anyone can tell, his several career touchdowns came as a defenseman, returning a pick-six and taking fumble recovery to the house. Mihalik was a three-star defensive end on his way out of high school.

This young man is perhaps not unfamiliar with Boston College. His father, John Mihalik, was a fullback for the Eagles and was on the magical 1984 team that won the Cotton Bowl behind Heisman winner Doug Flutie.

Last season as a true freshman, Mihalik found his way into eight games and recorded six tackles. He added on a sack, a tackle for a loss, and two pass breakups.

Evidently, he’s done well enough in impressing who he needed to impress, because he is now listed as the starter at right end heading into the upcoming season. At the end of last year, Kasim Edebali was first here and Mihalik was second, but Edebali has moved to left end with the departure of Max Holloway, while Mihalik slid up to the top line. A lot is going to be expected of him as he takes over as the starter here, and he’ll get plenty of playing time to prove that he’s up to the task.