BC Class of 2008 Looks Bright

Things are looking up at The Heights, no pun intended.

Nathan Gerbe holding the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey trophy. Gerbe decided to forgo his senior year on May 7, 2008 to sign a 3 year deal with the Buffalo Sabres. (AP Photo)

Eagles men’s ice hockey forward, Nathan Gerbe became the sixth BC athlete to turn to the professional leagues. After helping lead the Boston College Eagles to their third NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship – and second in seven years – the nation’s leading points scorer for 2007-2008 signed a three year $2.55 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres.

The former BC forward over came a lot in his 20 years. Not only did he have to deal with people questioning his toughness because of his physical build. (Gerbe stands just 5’6” above the ground.) But he also had to overcome the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder when he was senior in high school after receiving poor SAT and ACT scores. He may be short but according to a former BC teammate he has no fear and will try to prove himself at the next level of ice hockey.

Gerbe’s announcement to turn professional comes two weeks after three football players were taken in the 2008 NFL Draft led by quarterback and 2007 Heisman Trophy candidate Matt Ryan. Ryan was joined by offensive line man Gosder Cherilus and cornerback DeJuan Tribble in the 2008 draft class. Like Ryan, the Somerville native, Cherilus was also taken in the first round by the Detroit Lions with the 17^th pick overall. Tribble. Safety Jamie Silva and linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar were signed after the draft as amateur free agents by the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints, respectively.

In the past Boston College has been known to produce a number of young, talented, top-notched offensive linemen who performed well at the next level, including two Super Bowl Champions. New England Patriots center Dan Koppen and New York Giants guard, Chris Snee went from being teammates at Boston College 2002 to foes in Super Bowl XLII. But after seeing a quarterback, a corner, safety and linebacker from BC signed by the professionals, it will heighten BC, even more, on the national radar in terms of recruiting.

Since Gerbe, Ryan, Cherilus, Tribble, Silva and Dunbar have all been signed by professional franchises, there is one athlete who I am surprised has not declared. It is junior point guard Tyrese Rice. After putting up 46 points – 34 in the first half – against North Carolina on March 1, I thought for sure Rice was a goner and would choose to enter the NBA Draft in June. But it has been almost two months since the Eagles basketball season ended and the only hint about next year was Rice saying he expects to be back at The Heights.

Tyrese Rice reacts as he scores 34 points in the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Conte Forum on March 1, 2008. Boston College had a 20 point lead at half time against the #1 team in the nation. (AP Photo)

QB Matt Ryan celebrates his fourth quarter comeback against the Virginia Tech Hokies on October 25, 2007. BC was down 10-0 with just under five minutes to go in the game and came back to win 14-0 with two touchdowns in two minutes. (AP Photo)