As Practice Winds Down, Running Game Rises Behind Dillon, Hilliman
When asked who he most tries to model his game after, Boston College freshman running back AJ Dillon had no hesitation.
"Leonard Fournette is someone I feel really similar to," Dillon said after Tuesday's practice.
Watch him bowl through BC's defense, and it's not hard to see why.
Dillon, a New England boy who grew up playing for Lawrence Academy in nearby Groton, Mass. and has a love for all things Boston, showed elite level toughness. In a way few other running backs have shown over the last few years, Dillon has no fear in his pushing upward with an arm shiver and fighting hard for those extra two or three yards that he needs to get. He made superb use of the holes given to him by BC's offensive line in Tuesday's practice, particularly through the left side A gap.
His talent extends beyond that as well. Dillon also showed off his ability to catch out of the backfield, showing off some solid chemistry with quarterback Anthony Brown. It's a role that Dillon is particularly excited for.
"I feel like the coaches have a really good idea of what they want me to do this year and how they use the offense," Dillon said.
MORE ON WR, READ: Receiver Depth a Refreshing Plus for Boston College
He's also very honest and open about why he ultimately chose BC over Michigan, the school that had originally committed him. Dillon suffered a season-ending injury not long ago, putting his football future in question. When he put everything in perspective, he realized that football isn't like sports like golf.
"It's not something I can play forever," Dillon said, prioritizing his three As: academics, atmosphere, and athletics. "It's something you know eventually your time is going to come to an end."
He's not the only one leading what aims to be a resurgent rushing attack for the Eagles. Head coach Steve Addazio also touted redshirt junior Jonathan Hilliman as having "by far, without a doubt, the best day he's had." Hilliman, who shined as a freshman, is looking to bounce back after a 2016 campaign in which he averaged under three yards a carry. Former fullback-turned-halfback Richard Wilson also had a strong 40-yard touchdown run.
What Addazio now focuses on hammering down now is the second-down attack. The first down runs have been good according to the head coach. But on second down, when you're eyeing a 2nd-and-2, or 2nd-and-3, is where they need to focus, on the short game. Nevertheless, Addazio hopes that this group, along with Davon Jones and Travis Levy, will finally provide the "stable of backs" that made the Eagles dangerous on offense in 2014. But it all starts with Hilliman and Dillon.
"Today, [Jon] and AJ were really moving that rock," Addazio said. "They're both big backs."
MORE ON TUESDAY PRACTICE NOTES, READ: Addazio Please With Effort in Fourth Week of Practice
