Guard Christian Mahagony the cornerstone of BC offensive line

Right guard Christian Mahogany is OK being the one left behind.

Boston College opened spring football on Saturday morning inside the Fish Field House with vacancies across its offense line, a rare circumstance for a program known nationally as O-Line U.

“I really talked to the guys that there are no set expectations now because there are four open spots, and when was the last time BC had four open spots on the O-line?” asked Mahogany, the only returning starter from 2021.

“I can’t remember, and when I came in there was only one. So, now there are opportunities but there are no expectations. We all just have to do our best to be the best O-line in America and it starts with me. I’m going to try and see that it happens.”

BC assembled arguably the finest offensive front in the program’s history last season. Center Alec Lindstrom, left guard Zion Johnson and right tackle Ben Petrula were graduate students who aged out while redshirt junior left tackle Tyler Vrabel elected to leave early.

All four are expected to be drafted and scattered to the four corners of the NFL. Johnson is projected to the first guard taken in the 2022 NFL Draft while Lindstrom was a finalist for the Rimington Award given annually to the nation’s top center. Johnson and Lindstrom were named All-Americans on a variety of teams and have been invited to participate in the NFL Combine along with middle linebacker Isaiah Graham-Mobley.

Petrula, a second team All-ACC pick in 2021, started a school record 60 consecutive games and played four positions over five seasons before settling in at right tackle. That is remarkable stretch, especially in the age of COVID, and NFL teams value versatility and experience at the Power-5 level.

Vrabel is a two-time ACC honorable mention who grew up in a football household in Bellaire, Texas, and plays the most valued position on the offensive line. Vrabel’s father Mike played linebacker for the Patriots and is the head coach of the Tennessee Titans.

That foursome forged a hard legacy for Mahogany to carry over into this season.

“As I progressed to a starter, I didn’t really have to do much, I didn’t have to say much because there were four older guys ahead of me,” said Mahogany. “Now that I have grown into that role, I have to be more vocal.

“I have to take a new step as leader of the O-line and that is a very special thing here at BC.”

While Mahogany played follow the leaders in 2021, he did not compete in their formidable shadows. The 6-3, 316-pound, redshirt junior from Paramus, N.J., started 11 games, participated in 785 offensive snaps and his blocking did not go unnoticed. Mahogany was named All-ACC second team and BC coach Jeff Hafley anticipates an upgrade to first team this season.

“Christian has got the most experience and he has kind of taken that role over from the guys that we had last year,” said Hafley. “He knows what he’s doing, he’s worked really hard and I think he is the best offensive lineman in the ACC if not the country.

“I truly believe that and if you watch the film from last year, it will tell you that and he’s gotten bigger and stronger. He had those older experienced players who showed him how to do things the right way. Then they leave and he gets to step in.”

Drew Kendall of Norwell is slated to fill Lindstrom’s position. Ozzy Trapilo and Finn Dirstine are vying for Johnson’s spot at left guard. Jon Conley and Kevin Cline are contending for the open tackle positions.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/Z7doOSf