Chip Hester Gets More Challenging as Top Player Bids Farewell to Program

Barton Football Linebacker Set to Visit Boston College

Despite the spring transfer portal window officially closing, it remains active with players still scheduling visits and deciding on their next destination.

One such player is Barton linebacker/EDGE E’Lla Boykin, who is set to visit both Boston College and West Virginia this week, according to Pete Nakos, a college sports business and transfer portal reporter for On3Sports.

“Boykin will visit Boston College and West Virginia this week, his agents tell @SWiltfong_ and me,” Nakos posted on X.

Boykins will visit Boston College and West Virginia this week, his agents tell @SWiltfong_ and I. https://t.co/ILgQ3jY7Em

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) April 28, 2025

Boykin played one season at Barton, where he appeared in nine games and recorded 55 total tackles (23 solo, 32 assisted), 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, one quarterback hit, and one pass breakup. The Mount Olive, N.C., native finished fourth on the team in assisted tackles, total tackles, and tackles for loss, while ranking fifth in solo tackles. He also earned South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Defensive Freshman of the Year honors.

On April 21, Boykin announced his decision to enter the transfer portal, and just a few days later, he received an offer from Boston College on Monday afternoon.

🚨IM IN THE TRANSFER PORTAL 🚨
D2 SAC DEFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
SAC ALL CONFERENCE SELECTION
3 years of eligibility left (REDSHIRT YEAR AVAILABLE)@RivalsPortal @247SportsPortal @TransferPortal_ @CollegeFBPortal

OLB,DE,MLB

Freshman in season/spring highlights below.… pic.twitter.com/f9fVMHLko3

— E'Lla Boykin (@LlaBoykin) April 21, 2025

This spring, Boston College bolstered its roster with former Michigan linebacker Jason Hewlett, former Wake Forest defensive lineman Chris Marable Jr., and former Wisconsin-Platteville linebacker Will Straka. However, the Eagles also saw several key departures, including defensive lineman George Rooks, who transferred to Syracuse, linebacker Bryce Steele, quarterback Jacobe Robinson, and offensive lineman Otto Hess.