“I didn’t really expect it because I [wasn’t sure I’d] go to a huge program like that, and such a good school,” Bordner said. “But then it ended up happening, so it was really exciting and it caught me by surprise.”

Bordner, who threw for 2,217 yards, 18 touchdowns and rushed for 10 scores as a junior, said the Eagles’ staff was tipped off to him by DeMatha offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Chris Baucia.

Baucia, a former Virginia Tech signal-caller and punter, runs a “quarterback factory” in Southern Maryland. Bordner has studied under Baucia for months, and credits him for increasing his recruiting interest.

“He knows everybody,” Bordner said. “I’m pretty sure he originally was the one who talked me up and got [Boston College] more interested. So a lot of credit goes to him. Honestly, if I didn’t run into him through this program, I know that I would not have this [scholarship] right now. A lot of thanks goes out to him.”

The Eagles coaches were receptive to Baucia’s sales pitch on Bordner, and extended an invitation for him to attend the Eagles’ camp. Once he arrived in Chestnut Hill, Bordner realized just how many quarterbacks he was competing with to earn an offer. After some time, however, he noticed members of the Eagles’ staff paying him more attention.

“They liked my arm strength and the way I put the ball on people,” Bordner said. “They said there’s a lot of potential. But I’m definitely going to have to work on some things. They said I have a lot of raw talent.”

On Sunday afternoon, Boston College offered Bordner a scholarship. Later that day, he accepted. Now a summer filled with football camps and baseball showcases has been reduced to an occasional baseball tournament and tons of time in the weight room, preparing for senior year at Century and beyond.

“I’m just going to lift and get bigger and faster,” Bordner said. “And hopefully up in Boston, I’ll get better ... [and become a] big-time quarterback.”

Baltimore Sun photo of Josh Bordner by Gene Sweeney Jr. / November 7, 2008