The hits keep coming for Boston College’s football program, and the latest is a big one. Sophomore safety Omar Thornton is expected to enter the NCAA transfer portal, becoming the 21st BC player to do so this offseason - and the second safety in just two days, following freshman Omarion Davis.
Thornton’s departure is more than just another name on the list. This is a player who made a serious impact in his first full season as a starter.
In 2025, he earned All-ACC Honorable Mention honors, and the numbers back up why. He started 11 games at safety, racked up 82 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles, 2 sacks, and an interception.
That’s not just production - that’s disruption.
He played 700 snaps this past season, second only to fellow safety KP Price, and finished second on the team in total tackles and solo stops. But where Thornton really stood out was in the chaos category: he led the Eagles in tackles for loss, forced fumbles, and “Stops” - those key defensive plays that put the offense behind the sticks. Simply put, he was a playmaker with a nose for the football.
Thornton’s journey at BC started in 2024, when he saw action in 12 games and rotated into the defense in eight of them. He earned three starts late in the season, and his breakout moment came in his first start against Louisville - a nine-tackle, two-TFL, one-sack performance that hinted at what was to come.
In 2025, he brought that same energy to the full-time role. Thornton was a tone-setter in the secondary, known for delivering punishing hits and playing with a physical edge that opposing offenses had to account for.
But that aggressive style came with some growing pains. He led the team in missed tackles with 24 - more than the next two defenders combined - and ranked eighth nationally in that category among FBS players.
His coverage numbers also took a hit, allowing 74% of targets to be completed and surrendering six touchdowns.
Still, the upside was clear. Bill O’Brien once compared him to Bob Sanders - a high compliment for a player still learning the nuances of the position. Thornton was trending upward, and his departure leaves a significant hole in a defense that’s already dealing with heavy attrition.
Boston College does still have some stability in the secondary. KP Price returns as a veteran leader, and Amari Jackson brings experience as well.
There’s also a group of intriguing young players - Syair Torrence, TJ Green, and Ashton Cunningham - who could be in line for bigger roles. But with the transfer portal officially opening on January 2, this roster is far from settled.
Given the recent wave of departures, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more names enter the portal in the coming days.
Thornton’s exit underscores the broader challenge facing BC this offseason. The Eagles are losing not just bodies, but contributors - players who were expected to be part of the core moving forward. And as the portal continues to reshape rosters across the country, Boston College will need to find answers quickly, both in terms of retention and recruitment.
For now, the Eagles are left to regroup - and hope the bleeding stops soon.