2013 Boston College Football Unit Preview: Offensive Line
By Joe Micik
The Backups
According to preseason depth chart
Dave Bowen, sophomore, LT
Bowen played last year as a true freshman in all 12 games and ended up slotted into the tight end role as a blocker, which allowed for an extra blocker but completely gave up on the offensive component of the TE position. It’s clear that this staff intends to keep Bowen on the line, and there he might do fine.
Paul Gaughan, sophomore, LG
Gaughan is a center by listing who is backing up at left guard. At 6-6, 303 lb., he’s plenty big for either spot, but he’s part of what’s actually a three-deep at this particular position. Gaughan is still very inexperienced, only playing in six games last year with no more than six snaps in any FBS game. He will see playing time, and don’t be surprised if some of it ends up being at center.
Aaron Kramer, junior, LG/RG
Kramer is on the depth chart at two different positions, both being the guard spots. Thing is, he has only appeared in six games over the course of his first two years, playing a grand total of 40 snaps in two seasons.
If you haven’t noticed, there is a decided theme developing here: lots of collegiate inexperience on the offensive line outside of the first team.
Frank Taylor, redshirt freshman, C
Taylor was another well-regarded recruit who earned credit for his play in high school, but he hasn’t seen a snap yet in college. He redshirted last year and now enters his first year of eligibility. Oh, and he was recruited (by Ryan Day, in his first BC stint) as a guard. If you’re keeping track, we have a center (Gaughan) slotted into guard, and a guard (Taylor) slotted into center. One would think BC has good reason for changing these positions; however, in a scrimmage last week, both young men were back to their natural positions.
What is interesting, though, is that Taylor is arguably too light for the center role at 287, and is the lightest player on the line’s two-deep.
Seth Betancourt, junior, RT
Betancourt has been around for several years and can’t seem to make a starting job stick. Even with a few years of being here, however, Betancourt has only played in 12 total games, starting three. One might think we’ll see some more of him this year, but when Ian White graduates, Betancourt may take this position in 2014. Of course, he could also be moved anywhere else on the line and it wouldn’t be the first time.
Off The Two-Deep
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Patchan, senior, LT
Patchan isn’t on the preseason depth chart, but indications are that he might even start. He probably should, anyway. Patchan played in 27 games for the Florida Gators and spent a little time under Steve Addazio when he was the offensive coordinator. His college football career has been beset by injuries but Patchan gets a chance for a fresh start at Boston College, at least for one last year. He’s capable of playing well and can give an added lift to the Eagles.
In August scrimmages, Patchan has reportedly been practicing with the first-team offense, so the preseason depth chart might already be junk.
Victor Nelson, sophomore
Nelson has yet to appear in a game for the Eagles. He might make his debut this year, and it would be a bit surprising if he doesn’t, but at this point it would appear that his playing time will be limited, barring injuries.
Jim Cashman, redshirt freshman | Win Homer, redshirt freshman
Both of these relative newcomers may make their debuts in 2013. Homer in particular was a highly-regarded recruit, getting four stars from a few of the big agencies, but we have no frame of reference regarding either one of them at the collegiate level.