Jagodzinski quick to point to speed

The depth chart at running back for the Boston College football team could leave fans feeling a little queasy.

Tailback: Josh Haden, true freshman, 5 feet 8 inches, 182 pounds.

Tailback: Jeff Smith, junior, 5-9, 198, who is coming off a series of concussions that threatened to end his career last season.

Tailback: Razzie Smith, junior, 5-10, 177, former cornerback who last played running back in high school.

Fullback: James McCluskey, sophomore, 6-2, 246.

Fullback: Codi Boek, sophomore transfer from American River Junior College, 6-3, 221, who came to BC as a quarterback but was moved to fullback as training camp began this week.

The total production for BC from the above crew, plus new starting quarterback Chris Crane, last season: 9 carries, 10 yards, 3 touchdowns; 2 catches, 13 yards.

But as the Eagles went through their first day in full pads at summer practice yesterday, coach Jeff Jagodzinski was filled with anticipation, with a tinge of excitement.

The reason? Speed.

"There is more speed in the backfield than Boston College has had the last four years," Jagodzinski said after practice, which was moved to the morning because of the possibility of rain. "They are young and there is going to be a learning curve, but I'm going to play the best players out there. And in Josh Haden, Jeff Smith, and in Montel Harris [a true freshman from Jacksonville, Fla.], I see kids with real good skills."

But mostly, Jagodzinski sees sprinter speed from Haden, Jeff Smith, and Razzie Smith. He also sees that in Boek, who has size as well as 4.6 speed in the 40.

"The placement of personnel is just about as important a coaching decision as you can make," said Jagodzinski.

So the Eagles will mix and match for the next few weeks, trying to find the right combination that will produce an offense that can run the ball as well as catch it - and create doubt in the minds of defensive coordinators trying to prepare for the Eagles.

"Speed really helps," said Crane, who has moved into the starting QB slot after the departure of Matt Ryan. "It makes the other teams wary of what we are going to do, and with Josh and Jeff we have a combination that can do that."

Haden, who enrolled as a freshman in January, says he is ready. "With me, Jeff, and Razzie, everything is coming together smoothly. Coming here in January was a big edge for me, because I know the school, I know the plays, I feel very comfortable."

Jeff Smith says he is just happy to be playing on a regular basis again. "I took a lot of time off," said the junior, who had been told by doctors that his football career should basically be over after a series of concussions. "But as time went on and I got healthier, they said it was OK. I'm not sure what's going to happen out there with what we're going to do, but I'm happy to be back."

For Boek, who is slotted behind McCluskey at fullback, it was simply an opportunity to get on the field. "Coach [offensive coordinator Steve] Logan just called me into his office last week and asked me about [playing fullback]," said Boek. "I've never played fullback or running back, but it was a chance to help the team, to get on the field. I said I was all for it. And it can't hurt to have two quarterbacks on the field, can it?"

With the first scrimmage of the summer tonight, Jagodzinski says the defense is ahead of the offense.

"If I was running the ball well, on my defense right now, I'd be worried," he said.

The offensive line is set at three places: left tackle, Anthony Castonzo; center, Matt Tennant; and left guard, Rich Lapham . . . The other two starters on the right side appear to be Clif Ramsey at tackle and Thomas Claiborne at guard . . . In addition to the changes of position for Boek and Razzie Smith, linebacker Kevin Akins is working at cornerback . . . Injury-wise, the Eagles are in decent shape. Offensive lineman Pat Sheil is out with an infection in a torn pectoral, defensive tackle Damik Scafe is out with turf toe. Defensive end Alex Albright, suffering an assortment of bumps and bruises, did not practice.

Jagodzinski said the kicking game is wide open between Steve Aponavicius, Billy Bennett, and freshman Ryan Quigley, who is also the current first-team punter . . . Castonzo has put on 43 pounds since last season, up to 289 from a freshman playing weight of 246 . . . With Boek moving to fullback, quarterback Dominque Davis has moved into the backup role . . . BC will have two-a-day workouts Monday and scrimmages on Wednesday and next Sunday.

Mark Blaudschun can be reached at blaudschun@globe.com.