BC Defensive Back Charlie Comella Ties for Third in the Nation With Four Interceptions
The dual-sport athlete, who recently played baseball for Boston College, is averaging strong numbers on the football field after a fast transition between seasons.
By Trevor Wilson ·
Charlie Comella currently holds a tie for third place in the nation with four interceptions. The redshirt sophomore recorded two of those picks during Boston College’s road victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday. One of those interceptions resulted in a touchdown after Comella returned it 47 yards. He was named the Atlantic Coast Conference defensive back of the week for that performance.
Comella is navigating a schedule that requires him to compete in two Division I sports. He finished his baseball season in May after the Eagles were eliminated from the postseason. He flew from Atlanta to Boston on a 10 p.m. flight and arrived at 3 a.m. on Monday. He was on the field for football practice at Fish Field House by 6 a.m.
His father, Greg Comella, noted that most players would take a break after a disappointing season. Greg said, “Personally, I would take a couple of days. It speaks to where his head is at, where his mind is at. He loves to compete.” Greg played fullback for the New York Giants and other NFL teams for seven years before becoming a coach for his son’s youth teams.
Bill O’Brien, the BC football coach, compared Comella’s field vision to his experience playing center fielder. “That play that he made in the middle of the field, he’s a center fielder,” O’Brien said. “I’ve actually seen him do that on a baseball field. He’s a really good athlete. He’s a very versatile player. He can do a lot of different things.”
Comella missed his senior year of high school football at Xaverian due to a collarbone injury. He served as a de facto assistant coach during the school’s Division 1 Super Bowl run. When BC head coach Jeff Hafley inquired about recruiting him, Greg asked if Charlie would play both sports at the university. Charlie replied, “Oh, I would do that in a heartbeat.”
The 2026 baseball team went 37-23, with Comella serving as a reserve. He redshirted in fall 2024 and spent last year primarily on special teams. He now plays cornerback, nickelback, and safety under defensive coordinator Ted Roof and cornerbacks coach Jules Montinar.
Al Fornaro, Comella’s high school coach, said the player’s drive to improve is evident in his film study. Fornaro stated, “He wants to get better. He studies the game. Right now, Boston College is reaping the benefits, as is he.” Comella’s next game is scheduled for this week as the Eagles continue their ACC schedule.
Source: The Boston Globe
