Since top collegiate football recruiting websites began to track ratings on players via a star system in 2001, the state of Massachusetts has never produced a 5-star quarterback. 

But on Aug. 13, 2025, Christopher Vargas made Massachusetts history when he received a composite 5-star ranking. 

Four and 5-star recruits make or break schools’ recruiting classes. With sites such as On3, Rivals, and 247 Sports assigning stars and grades to recruits, these metrics influence the opinions of both recruits and the public on which programs are the nation’s best. 

While these metrics are not perfect, 5-star recruits undoubtedly have more raw talent than their 4- and 3-star counterparts—that explains why more than half reach the NFL. 

A Lawrence native, Vargas attends MIAA Division I powerhouse St. John’s Preparatory School. 

Standing at 6-foot-4 and 175 pounds, Vargas has established himself as a methodical pocket passer who stands tall under pressure. 

With a snappy release and high football IQ, the Class of 2028 star threw for 1,311 yards and 17 touchdowns during his freshman year campaign en route to the MIAA Division I semifinal. 

As Massachusetts’ first 5-star quarterback, Vargas has caught scouts’ eyes across college football’s Power 4 conferences. On June 3, 2023, Boston College became only the second FBS school to give him an offer. 

With BC able to get its foot in the door early on the local superstar, Vargas has visited BC four times, allowing him to take in everything the Heights has to offer. As most 5-stars do, however, Vargas has also picked up offers from FBS powerhouses Penn State, Georgia, and Ohio State, among others. 

The only university Vargas has visited other than BC is Penn State. Yet, it should be noted that Penn State recently fired long-time head coach James Franklin, leading to a mass recruiting exodus in his wake. 

Now, the question arises: Why would Vargas, Massachusetts’ first 5-star recruit, choose BC, which will be coming off a one or two-win season, over well-established blue-blood programs like Penn State, Georgia, and Ohio State? 

Other than the fact that Vargas would most likely be the clear-cut QB1 for the Eagles, or that he would fit quite well into Bill O’Brien’s offensive playstyle, there is a larger force that could drive him to BC. 

St. John’s Prep head coach Brian St. Pierre played at Prep from 1994 until 1998, setting the school’s record for touchdown passes, completions, and rushing touchdowns. Then, he committed to BC as an All-American talent.

St. Pierre played for the Eagles from 1998 to 2002, racking up 48 touchdowns in his career and leading the Eagles to a 9–4 record in 2002. He also led the team to victory in the Motor City Bowl, toppling the Toledo Rockets 51–25 in dominant fashion. 

His biggest accomplishment in the maroon and gold came in his statement 14–7 victory in the Holy War over No. 4 Notre Dame. 

With one of the most influential voices in Vargas’ life being a BC football alum, the chance that the Eagles land Massachusetts’ first 5-star recruit may not be as much of a stretch as one may think. 

With Rev. Jack Butler, S.J., taking over the University presidency in 2026, BC fans could hope for a more favorable shift toward athletics and the Friends of The Heights—BC’s name, image, and likeness collective. 

Nevertheless, Vargas’ ascension to 5-star status remains a double-edged sword for BC athletics. 

If O’Brien manages to bring Vargas to the Heights, it will signal that BC is ready to recruit and compete in this new age of college football. If Vargas looks elsewhere, then fans will chastise O’Brien for his failure to keep homegrown, New England talent at BC—one of O’Brien’s central messages after his hiring. 

A BC fan can only hope for the former. 

Correction (Saturday, Nov. 29, 2:15 p.m.): This article has been updated to clarify that Vargas is the first 5-star quarterback from Massachusetts, not the state’s first 5-star overall recruit. A previous version of this article also incorrectly stated that he is from Lawrence, Mass.