The turning point — and tension point — of Boston College’s football season occurred in the days after its biggest win of the season.
The Eagles had just executed a 37-31 comeback win over Syracuse with backup quarterback Grayson James on Nov. 9. One day later, BC coach Bill O’Brien informed James, a transfer from Florida International, that he’d remain the starter while Thomas Castellanos, a passing scrambler who’d started 20 games for BC, would head to the bench.
Castellanos took a few days away from the team before simply leaving the program on Nov. 14. James had the keys to the offense — but it came at a surprising price.
Boston College offensive coordinator Will Lawing hadn’t experienced quite that scenario in his coaching career, most of which has followed O’Brien around to his various stops. But, to navigate a tricky situation, he relied on a saying he and O’Brien believe in.
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“You’ve gotta stick and move,†Lawing said. Make decisions, understand things may change, and adapt accordingly. “…You can’t get flustered and worried and ‘oh, I don’t know how to react.’ You’ve got to be able to calm yourself and come up with a solution. As coaches, we try to problem solve and manage things as best as possible and teach.â€
Boston College’s late season wins over North Carolina and Pittsburgh suggest O’Brien and Lawing adapted well.
The Eagles scored 37, 28, 41 and 34 points in their November games. They averaged 212.5 rushing yards in those games. Across the full season, James completed 64% of his passes for 901 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.
BC took a risk at QB and got better.
“Whoever OB puts in at QB is who he puts in at QB,†said BC receiver Lewis Bond. The Eagles’ offensive line and skill players have their own job, Bond said, irrespective of the guy throwing the ball.
And statistically, Castellanos had a decent year, completing 61% of his passes for 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. He was running far less in 2024 — in 2023, he rushed for 1,113 yards and 13 touchdowns — but retained a certain threat.
Castellanos also started four of Boston College’s five losses, and when he missed the Western Kentucky game with a concussion, James pulled out a 21-20 win. Later in the years, as the Eagles rode a three-game losing streak, Castellanos completed 2 of 7 passes against Syracuse before he left the game with an injury.
In relief, James completed 5 of 6 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. He became the full-time starter directly after.
“He came in poised and you could tell he’d played high-level football before,†Bond said. “And it didn’t really change when he got in there as a starter. It didn’t change his approach. He came in, controlled the huddle, knew what he was doing.â€
Nebraska defensive coordinator John Butler said the 6-foot-3, 226-pound James is a “nice young player†who “knows where he wants to go with the football.â€
Butler’s familiar with both O’Brien — who hired Butler at Penn State and the NFL’s Houston Texans — and Lawing, who served as a graduate assistant under Butler at PSU in 2013. Lawing then spent years as a defensive coach for the Texans before moving to the offensive position. O’Brien may adapt his offense to the personnel, but it’s still a pro-style system that emphasizes getting the offense into the best plays.
“Bill’s always trying to make sure his quarterback’s trying to execute the run game as well as the pass game,†Butler said. “I’m sure (James) has a good understanding of that to be (O’Brien’s) quarterback and (handle) the expectations that Bill’s always had with the guys who are his trigger man.â€
Lawing said he learned “a lot†from his time working for Butler. They’ll battle each other as game plan designers and playcallers in Yankees Stadium. Butler said he’ll enjoy competing against both his former boss and former pupil.
“The world has a funny way of coming full circle,†Butler said.
