Boston College #NSD: The Wild, the Innocent and the Running Back Shuffle
By Kyle Egan
Nov 16, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston College Eagles running back Andre Williams (44) scores a touchdown against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the fourth quarter at Alumni Stadium. The Eagles won 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
With Andre Williams leaving, Boston College needed a strong group of running backs to step in and take his place. Coach Steve Addazio recognized that by going out and acquiring a dynamic crew of backs to complement his move to a run based attack. This is your 2014 class of running backs in the run up to National Signing Day on February 5th.
The newcomers
Jonathan Hilliman
Hilliman is a running back from New Jersey who was originally committed to Rutgers but like most of the pearls of the Rutgers Class of 2014, they decommitted and went to other schools. Hilliman is out of St. Peter’s Prep rated four stars and ranked 282nd on the ESPN 300. On December 13th, Hilliman bolstered the Boston College recruiting class and was probably persuaded by the 2013 performance of Heisman finalist Andre Williams to sign on to play at the Heights. ESPN describes Hilliman as “Good blend of size, strength and speed at the position. Inside running strength and outside speed project well at the college level. Has potential load-back, every-down measurables and skill set… Hilliman is a back who can move the chains in a variety of ways, both inside and out and as a pass catcher. His size and speed combo along with his natural vision and feet project well for the college level. Shows quality closing speed and skill set at linebacker and could get recruited on defense.”
Just like Andre Williams, Hilliman is the kind of guy who can absorb a hit and even anticipates the contact and thrives on it. At 6’0 201 lbs. Boston College is getting a big kid who could’ve played at linebacker if he really wanted to. Hilliman will likely be the feature back for Boston College if he stays on.
Marcus Outlow
Outlow was the first member of the Class of 2014 to commit to Boston College, doing so on February 19th, 2013. At the time it looked like a sign that new head coach Steve Addazio would be more aggressive than his predecessor in the recruiting game. Outlow comes out of Norwich Free Academy in Norwich, Connecticut and is also a star player for the high school’s basketball team. For much of the recruiting season it looked like he would be the top running back recruit for Boston College but since Hilliman committed that has changed. Outlow is still a bruising running back that will help Boston College in the future.