Eagles land first commitment

The Boston College Eagles are on the board with their first verbal commitment of the recruiting year.

"I committed to BC today," said Woburn, Mass. linebacker Mike McLaughlin. "After BC came by my school today, I talked things over with my father and coach and decided that I was a good fit at BC."

McLaughlin, who at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds had offers from Maryland, Iowa, Syracuse and others, visited BC a few times this spring.

"I just got along well with the players and fit in," he said. "They are a lot like me and it's close to home. I visited Maryland and really liked it down there, but after the trip wore off a bit it was clear where I wanted to go. I liked BC because they wanted me there as much as I wanted to be there. You could tell they really wanted me badly."

McLaughlin will play middle linebacker at BC unless he grows into a defensive end.

"Right now the plan is to play in the middle," he said. "But wherever I can help out is fine. I chose BC for more than just football and I just want to contribute on the field."

As a junior, McLaughlin made 95 tackles and rushed for 950 yards and 20 scores. His 390-pound bench press makes him one of the strongest prospects pound-for-pound in the country.