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National signing day

Boston College football announces 21-player recruiting class on National Signing Day

Everett's Ismael Zamor is the No. 2 wide receiver recruit in the Massachusetts, according to Rivals.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

Boston College football’s 2022 recruiting class is complete, and the Eagles’ No. 24 national ranking on Rivals is tied for their highest ever and best since 2004.

The class, finalized Wednesday on National Signing Day, features 21 players and includes recruits from 11 states and three countries.

BC is coming off a 6-6 regular season in coach Jeff Hafley’s second year and is set to face East Carolina in the Military Bowl on Dec. 27 in Annapolis, Md. The Eagles are gaining momentum on the recruiting trail.

“I didn’t come here to just be here for a short period of time and leave,” Hafley said in late November after signing a five-year contract extension. “I believe in Boston College, and I believe that if we build it the right way, in time we can win here consistently.”

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Hafley noted this was the first year his staff was able to consistently meet recruits and their families in person. He said that face-to-face interaction went a long way. “When you get to know the family, and you sit down in the living room, you just really feel a connection,” Hafley said.

Here’s a closer look at the recruiting class, which features two four-star and 19 three-star prospects, according to Rivals.

Cam Barfield, running back, Las Vegas — Nevada’s No. 3 running back, according to 247 Sports, the 5-foot-8-inch, 180-pound, three-star workhorse powered Bishop Gorman to a state championship this past season.

Jude Bowry, tackle, Germantown, Md. — At 6-5, 285 pounds, Bowry is listed as the No. 1 offensive tackle from Maryland on Rivals.

Alex Broome, running back, Nashville — Broome (5-8, 185) guided Lipscomb Academy to its first state title since 2007 under coach Trent Dilfer. Broome was named Division 2-AA Mr. Football and is the No. 2 all-purpose back in Tennessee, per Rivals.

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Sam Candotti, punter, Niddre Victoria, Australia — Candotti (6-1, 180) is the No. 7 punter in the class, according to 247 Sports.

Noah Clifford, offensive lineman, Brentwood, Tenn. — Clifford (6-5, 280) started his career at Ravenswood High School in Tennessee before transferring to St. Thomas More in Connecticut, where he’s the No. 2 tackle in the state per 247 Sports.

CJ Clinkscales, athlete, Buford, Ga. — 247 has him as the No. 10 athlete in Georgia, which is no small feat. Clinkscales (5-7, 180) capped his career with a state title.

Daveon Crouch, outside linebacker, Tampa — Listed as the No. 9 linebacker in Florida, per 247, Crouch (6-2, 215) led Wharton with 67 tackles. Off the field, he was the first to respond to a fellow student on campus who was unresponsive and breathing irregularly in August. Crouch was able to get the attention of staff, who used an AED shock and performed CPR.

Peter Delaportas, quarterback, Jefferson, N.J. — The No. 1 quarterback from New Jersey, according to 247, Delaportas (6-4, 200) completed 69.1 percent of his passes and was named to the all-county team as an ESPN four-star recruit.

“He’s got a big-time arm, and he’s going to be a big kid,” Hafley said. “Really big, really strong. He’s a wrestler, he’s tough. He’s got this quiet toughness about him and he has a great presence about him.”

Jeremiah Franklin, tight end, Walkersville, Md. — Franklin (6-4, 225) is the No. 1 tight end in Maryland on all major recruiting websites. He had 24 catches for 363 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 459 yards and 12 TDs as a senior.

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Jack Funke, offensive lineman, Needham — Funke (6-6, 290), a Xaverian standout, is the No. 2 offensive tackle in the state.

Xaverian standout Jack Funke is headed for Boston College.Winslow Townson for The Boston Globe

“One of the recruits thought he was a parent on the official visit,” Hafley said. “He looks like he’s been picking up cars. This guy’s enormous. His neck is about as big as my shoulder width.”

Joseph Griffin, wide receiver, Springfield — The 6-4, 200-pound deep threat from Springfield Central is the No. 1 receiver in Massachusetts on all major recruiting websites. He’s fresh off a Division 1 state title and finished his career with 102 catches for 1,913 yards and 22 TDs. Griffin is a four-star prospect on Rivals and 247.

“I think Joe’s the best athlete in the state,” Hafley said. “I really do believe that. He might be the best football player in Massachusetts right now. He’s big, he’s long, he’s athletic, he can jump, he’s so competitive.”

Sione Hala, safety/linebacker, Los Angeles — Hala (6-2, 210) played at the same high school (St. John Bosco in California) as current BC strong safety Jaiden Woodbey. Rivals rank Hala as the No. 3 safety in California, and he’s a four-star prospect on Rivals and 247.

Joshua Hardy, defensive end, Bowie, Md. — He attends Annapolis Area Christian School, which is 2 miles from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, the site of BC’s bowl game. Hardy (6-3, 235) is the No. 2 edge defensive end in the state, per 247.

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Amari Jackson, cornerback, McDonough, Ga. — Jackson checks in at 6 feet, 180 pounds and is the No. 8 cornerback in Georgia, according to Rivals. He is an ESPN four-star recruit.

“When he called me today and signed, I’m a DB guy, so that was probably as loud as I’ve screamed in a long time,” Hafley said. “I felt like that one was a fight to the end.”

Edwin Kolenge, outside linebacker, Montreal — The Canadian has spent plenty of time in New England, as he played for Loomis Chaffee in Connecticut. Listed as the No. 2 prospect from Canada in this class, Kolenge (6-3, 220) was named New England defensive player of the year.

Matthew Ragan, tight end, Westborough — A Lawrence Academy standout, Ragan (6-5, 230) is the No. 1 tight end in Massachusetts and a four-star prospect on 247. His father, John, played linebacker for the Eagles from 1978-80, and his brother, Sean, was a BC offensive lineman from 2016-19.

Gilbert Tongrongou, defensive end, Woodbridge, Va. — The No. 4 defensive lineman in Virginia, per 247, Tongrongou (6-3, 250) was named his district’s defensive player of the year as a junior.

Kwan Williams, defensive tackle, Baltimore — At 6-1, 290, Williams is the No. 2 defensive tackle in Maryland, per Rivals. He totaled 79 tackles and six sacks as a senior and is a four-star on both 247 and ESPN.

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Clive Wilson, defensive end, Youngstown, Ohio — The No. 1 strongside defensive end in Ohio, according to Rivals, Wilson (6-5, 245) didn’t start playing football until his sophomore year of high school.

Kivon Wright, defensive end, Baton Rouge, La., Manvel (Texas) Wright (6-4, 217) is the No. 148 player in Texas. He’s a three-star on all major recruiting websites.

Ismael Zamor, wide receiver, Everett Local high school coaches are glad they don’t have to worry about Zamor anymore. At 6-1, 190, he is Rivals’ No. 2 wide receiver in the state.

Ismael Zamor is one of four Bay State natives who committed to play for Boston College.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff

BC’s recruiting class by state or country:

Maryland (4); Massachusetts (4); Georgia (2); Tennessee (2); Australia (1); California (1); Canada (1); Florida (1); Louisiana (1); New Jersey (1); Nevada (1); Ohio (1); Virginia (1).

BC’s recruiting class by position:

Defensive end (4); offensive line (3); wide receiver (2); linebacker (2); running back (2); tight end (2); athlete (1); defensive back (1); defensive tackle (1); kicker/punter (1); quarterback (1); safety/linebacker (1).



Trevor Hass can be reached at trevor.hass@globe.com.