The 2026 Boston College Football team just kicked off their training camp with an impressive first controlled scrimmage at Alumni Stadium.
Under the guidance of Gregory P. Barber ’69 and Family Head Coach Bill O’Brien, the team showed a mix of defensive grit and offensive flashes.
This post takes a closer look at the practice session, the players who really popped, and how the squad is shaping up for the season ahead.
Boston College Football’s First Controlled Scrimmage
The Boston College Eagles held their first controlled scrimmage of the 2026 training camp inside Alumni Stadium.
It was a key moment in their preseason, giving both veterans and fresh faces a shot to show what they’ve got.
Defensive Highlights
The defense set the tone right away, shutting down the offense on the opening drive.
Second-year safety Marcus Upton made a big statement by picking off a pass and taking it to the house for a touchdown. That kid looks ready.
Defensive end Israel Oladipupo seemed pretty happy with how the group performed, mentioning the team’s hard work and Coach Roof’s high standards.
Offensive Breakthroughs
The offense showed some juice too, with a few plays that got the sidelines buzzing.
Running back Nolan Ray ripped off a 65-yard touchdown run that really woke everyone up. The guy’s got wheels.
Quarterback Mason McKenzie kept building on his earlier practices, hooking up with wide receiver Jaedn Skeete and later tossing a touchdown to tight end Brady Clough.
Special Teams Contributions
Special teams got their reps in as well, with both Bryce LaFollette and Andy Quinn handling punts.
Kickers Luca Lombardo and true freshman Jonathan Hewitt each drilled a couple of 40+ yard field goals and knocked through their extra points. Not bad at all.
Running Back Depth
Besides Nolan Ray’s long run, running back Mekhi Dodd broke off a few chunk gains himself.
This group looks deeper than people might expect—could be a fun ground game to watch.
Player and Coach Reactions
After the practice, Coach Bill O’Brien said he was pleased with the team’s effort, especially the competitive energy and the valuable reps for different players.
Wide receiver Johnathan Montague Jr. called out quarterback Mason McKenzie for his versatility and knack for making something out of nothing. Always good to hear.
Looking Ahead
The Eagles are pushing forward with training camp, bringing a little extra energy this week. They’ll have Sunday off, which is probably much needed at this point.
Practice picks back up on Monday for day 10. Since these sessions aren’t open to the public, most of the action stays behind closed doors.
The team is zeroed in on sharpening their strategies and building off what they’ve already accomplished. If you want more updates or a closer look at what’s happening, check out the official Boston College Athletics website.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
