Boston College Football 2014: Andy Gallik, C

Boston College senior center Andy Gallik has developed into a fine offensive lineman, and will help lead his unit in the coming 2014 season.

Prior to his arrival on the Heights, Gallik came from the Chicago area where he anchored the offensive line for Brother Rice High School. He was an all-state first-teamer there in his senior season, earning lots of good publicity for his play. This got Andy Gallik offers, aside from Boston College, from Illinois, Minnesota, Northern Illinois, and Ball State, amongst others. Gallik actually decommitted from Illinois and changed course to head to Chestnut Hill, and the Eagles are glad that he did.

In Gallik’s early playing days at Boston College, which began in 2011 after a 2010 redshirt season, there were learning experiences and opportunities for improvement as one could expect from a young player easing into the lineup, especially during a time (the previous regime) when the offensive line was becoming shockingly subpar as a whole.

Last year, in 2013, Andy Gallik thrived under new offensive line coach Justin Frye and put together a solid junior year, blocking for Andre Williams‘s record-breaking season. The foundation for that was laid during Steve Addazio’s first spring football sessions with the group, in which Gallik showed great improvement.

Now, approaching the 2014 season, both Gallik’s role and importance to this team are clear.

Andy Gallik #59: Fast Facts

• Position: Center
• Hometown: Evergreen Park, Illinois
• High School: Brother Rice High School, Chicago, IL
• Measurements: 6-foot-3, 299 lb.
• Class year & age at 2014 opener: Senior (RS), 22
• BC games played: 33

Andy Gallik #59: 2013 Season

• Starting center
• Games played: 12; started all
• Appeared on Spring 2014 roster

If Gallik has a year as good as he did last year, along with equally respectable performances from the rest of the offensive line, then Boston College will be able to carry out their offensive philosophy of pounding the run. Gallik, as a senior and a starter on this line, will be relied upon to help the playmakers do their jobs. Simply put, he is crucial to the Eagles’ offensive success in 2014 and is on course to put forth another good year.

Missed any 2014 player or season previews? Click the “114 Days” tag below to catch up on what we’ve shared so far.