James Walsh, CJ Jones Leave Boston College Football Program
By Joe Micik
On the first day of 2014 Boston College football camp, we learned that quarterback James Walsh and defensive back CJ Jones left the program.
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Walsh did not make any appearances for the Eagles during his lone year on the Heights. Jones, on the other hand, was entering his final year of eligibility at Boston College and appeared several dozen games for the Eagles. Last season, CJ Jones made 15 tackles in 12 games.
It had widely been expected that James Walsh would serve as the primary backup to senior quarterback Tyler Murphy this season, but Murphy’s departure would eventually pave the way for the currently true freshman Darius Wade. At Eagles training camp, Murphy played with the first-team offense and Wade played with the second. Incoming freshman Troy Flutie now looks like he will take the number three spot.
The departure of James Walsh changes the depth chart dynamic in that it virtually eliminates the chance that Wade will redshirt in 2014. That would have been the most preferable outcome, but with Wade looking more and more like the quarterback of this team’s future — which is to say from 2015 and beyond, it would have been very easy for Walsh to examine his situation and determine that he probably did not have a future here as the starter.
It was a role that Walsh could have earned in open competition next year, but immediately sliding Wade up to the backup role as a true freshman further supports the conventional wisdom that Wade is being groomed for the job, except now he does not get a redshirt year to prepare. Yet, that could also be a function of this team’s depth situation at the position, which took a hit.
Boston College is now expected to roll with three quarterbacks on their roster in 2014, all while hoping there are no injuries to report.
Meanwhile, CJ Jones transferred back to his native Delaware to finish out his collegiate career with the Blue Hens.
We wish James Walsh and CJ Jones well in their respective futures.