Megwa recalls 'scary' aftermath of leg injury

Boston College wide receiver Clarence Megwa sat outside the locker room yesterday with a wistful smile on his face. His teammates were going out to practice in preparation for the Atlantic Coast Conference title game against Virginia Tech Saturday in Tampa.

Megwa, a pair of crutches next to him, wasn't going anywhere. He is recovering from a broken right leg suffered in the fourth quarter of a 27-21 loss to Clemson Nov. 1.

As bad as the injury appeared, the scary part for Megwa came two days later when surgery had to be postponed because of complications. He developed an embolism in his leg that traveled to his lungs. Instead of simply setting the fracture in his leg, doctors had to deal with the embolism, which was so life-threatening that they induced a coma.

"They did it the Monday before the Notre Dame game and I woke up on Saturday," said Megwa, who said he has lost 27 pounds from his 216-pound frame. "It was pretty scary stuff."

Megwa, a 6-foot-1-inch junior from Binghamton, N.Y., says he feels fine now and is well on his way to recovery. When and if his football career resumes is another matter.

Second best

Georgia Tech's Paul Johnson was named ACC Coach of the Year, with BC's Jeff Jagodzinski finishing second. Johnson received 46 of 67 votes from the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association, while Jagodzinski received 12 . . . The Eagles worked out on their grass practice field without defensive tackle Ron Brace and tailback Josh Haden. Brace injured his foot in Saturday's win over Maryland and Haden hurt his shoulder. "They say it's just going to take time," said Haden. "But I will probably play." Jagodzinski said both players will be ready by Saturday . . . The Eagles will wrap up practice tomorrow and fly to Tampa late in the afternoon.

Mark Blaudschun can be reached at blaudschun@globe.com