Boston College Eagles: Top 5 wide receivers in program history
Household names or not, the Boston College Eagles football team has had its fair share of outstanding wide receivers take the field in program history.
They may even have their highest NFL draft pick at the position yet in Zay Flowers, if projections hold true.
It’s been over 35 years since Boston College had a wide receiver drafted, when Kelvin Martin was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1987. Martin was taken as the 11th-pick of the fourth round, and is only one of six former Eagle players to be drafted at the wide receiver position.
Flowers, despite the team struggles, was a standout in 2022, and among the greats to play the position for Boston College. Here are my top-five.
Early 2000s standout for Boston College Eagles
Sorting out the back end of this list was difficult, as any number of wide receivers could have made the cut.
In the end, the nod was given to Brandon Robinson (2005-08).
Robinson’s career with Boston College was a slow progression, but by the end was a steady contributor.
His career numbers are still among the top-10 in program history. Robinson’s 2023 receiving yards rank ninth all-time and his 141 receptions are fourth best among wide receivers and sixth overall.
Robinson finished with 10 touchdowns and had five 100-yard games. He also played during one of the best stretches in Boston College history, where the Eagles went 39-14.
Playing with Matt Ryan as quarterback, Robinson’s best season was in 2007, where he caught 56 passes for 793 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Related Story. Boston College Eagles: Looking back at the 2007 season. light
Narrowly missing out on this list was Tom Waddle (1985-88), who sits just behind Robinson in receptions (139) and receiving yards (1965). One of Waddle’s finest games was a 174-yard effort vs Rutgers in 1987 and his 13 receptions in a game are tied with four others for tops in the program.
Also going without mention is Gerard Phelan (’81-84). Phelan was the receiver on the infamous “Hail Mary” from Doug Flutie and finished his career with 107 receptions, 1714 yards, and six touchdowns.
As difficult as settling on the fifth spot was, the top four wide receivers all have an argument for the top spot.