Boston College added another piece to its recruiting class when Ponte Vedra Beach (Fla.) Nease three-star tight end Chase Phifer announced his commitment on social media.
Phifer said the appeal started with the staff, pointing to Bill O'Brien and tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski as NFL guys. But the fit went beyond that. He said Boston College laid out a plan he wanted to buy into, one built around development and a role he believes can grow over time.
"Honestly coach [Bill] O'Brien and [tight ends] coach [Rob] Chudzinski they're NFL guys," Phifer said. "But that's not the only reason.
They showed me a vision that I want to be a part of. With the development they are able to give me and the coaching, I feel like I wouldn't be able to get that anywhere else.
Coach O'Brien is turning the program around, and I feel like I can be a big part of that turnaround. I think that was the ultimate goal."
Academics mattered too. Phifer said the education at Boston College stood out because he wants something that lasts beyond football.
"The education was also a big part because football is not forever," he said. "I want to make sure I'm good after football. The education really stuck out to me because if I got injured, I can always fall back on it and make sure my family and I are good."
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Phifer picked Boston College over Georgia Southern and Arkansas State. He also held offers from UCF and Wake Forest.
On the field, the Eagles have a specific idea for how they want to use him. Phifer said he would line up as an F-type tight end, more split out and used to push the ball vertically. Boston College also showed him a bigger picture for the future.
"I would be their F-type tight end, which is more split out, pushing the ball vertically," he said. "Last year they had 120 targets in the tight end room, which is a lot.
Their vision for me is to push the ball vertically and use my skillset to track the ball down. Eventually, when I get developed by them, they will turn me into a three-down tight end where I don't come off the field at all."
Phifer described himself as a player who brings an edge to the position.
"Definitely a competitor," he said. "Somebody that will do anything to win and put his team in a good position."
As a junior last season, Phifer caught 32 passes for 500 yards and seven touchdowns.
247Sports lists him as the No. 78 tight end nationally and the No. 171 player in Florida in this cycle.
Boston College now has three commitments from Florida prospects, with Phifer joining Orlando (Fla.) Bishop Moore Catholic three-star wide receiver Magnus Talma and Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney three-star defensive lineman Kaleb Exume.