The transfer portal has been buzzing across college football, and Boston College is feeling the full effect. What started as a few depth players testing the waters - names like Dylan Lonergan and Bam Crouch - has turned into a full-blown exodus. In just the past few days, BC has lost several key contributors, including standout running back Turbo Richard, wide receiver Reed Harris, and safeties Omar Thornton and Omarion Davis.
Individually, none of these departures would be catastrophic. But coming off a 2-10 season, the Eagles were already in need of a serious reset.
Losing top offensive playmakers and depth across the defensive backfield only adds to the urgency. This isn’t just a patch job anymore - it’s a full-scale rebuild.
And the challenge now facing head coach Bill O’Brien and his staff is clear: how do you turn a roster that just hit rock bottom into one that can claw its way back to bowl eligibility?
One of the biggest moves in that direction might not be a player at all, but a front office addition. The hiring of Kenyatta Watson as general manager gives BC a much-needed boost in roster management.
Watson knows the program, understands the landscape, and brings experience to a staff that needs to hit on nearly every personnel decision this offseason. Last year’s transfer class didn’t move the needle much - Dylan Lonergan showed flashes, but the overall impact was minimal.
That can’t happen again.
Now, with BC tapping into a full revenue distribution model - a game-changer in today’s NIL-driven era - the Eagles finally have the infrastructure to compete more aggressively in the portal. But let’s be real: BC isn’t suddenly going to outbid SEC giants or Big Ten powerhouses for five-star talent.
That’s never been the model in Chestnut Hill. Instead, it’s about playing smart - identifying overlooked players who are ready to break out with the right opportunity.
That means combing through the more than 1,400 names already in the portal and finding the right fits. Whether it’s Group of Five stars looking for a bigger stage or Power Five backups hungry for playing time, BC needs both quantity and quality. And it starts up front.
For years, Boston College football was synonymous with offensive line play. That identity has faded in recent seasons, but there’s a path back.
The last time BC had a strong, consistent O-line presence, they were competing. The same goes for the defensive front.
Two seasons ago, when the Eagles’ D-line was clicking, the team looked like it was on the rise. But this year, once Quintayvious Hutchins went down, the unit collapsed.
If BC is going to rebuild, it has to begin in the trenches.
Then there's the quarterback situation. With Grayson James graduating and Dylan Lonergan hitting the portal, the Eagles are left with just one scholarship QB: Shaker Reisig.
The rising sophomore saw limited action this season - 10-of-19 passing for 141 yards, one touchdown and two picks across three games. Reisig has potential, but BC can’t afford to roll into 2026 without a veteran option under center.
They need someone who’s been through the fire, who can stabilize the offense while the rest of the roster finds its footing.
Of course, losing players like Turbo Richard and Reed Harris stings. Both were electric with the ball in their hands, and in a season with few bright spots, they gave fans a reason to keep watching.
Their departures are understandable - players want to win, and they want to develop in a competitive environment. But it’s still tough to see them go, especially when they looked like they could’ve been cornerstone pieces in a turnaround.
As for the defensive losses, it’s hard to mourn the exit of a group that struggled as much as this one did. BC’s defense was among the worst in recent memory, and while individual talent may have been there, the unit as a whole never clicked. The hope now is that the players brought in through the portal can at least match - or preferably exceed - the level of play that just left.
This is the new normal in college football. Roster turnover isn’t a surprise anymore - it’s a given.
The challenge is adapting to the chaos, and Boston College is at a crossroads. With a new GM, a new defensive coordinator, and a head coach who’s still trying to establish his identity in Chestnut Hill, this offseason will be critical.
BC fans know the clock is ticking. The Eagles are still in a power conference - for now.
And while that window remains open, there’s a real opportunity to build something meaningful. But it starts with smart decisions, savvy recruiting, and a clear plan for how to get back to relevance.
The road back won’t be easy. But if BC can find the right mix of portal additions, rebuild the trenches, and land a quarterback who can lead with confidence, there’s a path forward. It’s up to the staff to walk it.