Following in his late father’s footsteps, Ozzy Trapilo has made his way from BC High to Boston College to, now, the National Football League.
Trapilo, selected in the second round (56th overall) by the Bears on Friday, can check off one more major box of his own. Steve Trapilo, drafted by the Saints in the fourth round in 1987, died of a heart attack at age 39 in 2004, when Ozzy was 2 years old.
“It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little kid,” Trapilo said. “The fact that it’s what he did as well, now that it’s actually happened, it’s truly amazing. I’m super honored.”
On draft night, Trapilo sported one of his father’s Breitling watches, which he reserves for special occasions. His mother, Kim, said Steve would be “so proud” of all his son has accomplished.
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“I honestly believe that the fact that Ozzy got drafted higher than he did, that would be thrilling for his dad to actually know that,” Kim said. “That would be one thing he would always say. You just have to always do better.”
Related: Their fathers crafted legacies at Boston College. Now, two Norwell kids are trying to make their own.
Trapilo, a 6-foot-8-inch, 316-pound offensive tackle from Norwell, earned Atlantic Coast Conference first-team honors this past season. He started 36 games on the line at tackle during his college career and boasted a team-best 80.5 pass-block rating from Pro Football Focus this year.
A cerebral and physical force who moves well for his size, he’s a difficult matchup for often-overpowered defensive linemen.
“You may think someone that big is not an athlete,” ESPN’s Booger McFarland said. “He plays light on his feet, heavy hands, position flexibility, able to move.”
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Trapilo completed the 40-yard dash in 5.21 seconds, three-cone drill in 7.71 seconds, and 20-yard shuttle in 4.7 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine.
He trained with former Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, alongside childhood friend and BC teammate Drew Kendall, in the months leading up to the Draft.
BC head coach Bill O’Brien said Trapilo is someone who is the same every day, adding that he’ll be “a great pro.”
“He’ll do whatever you ask him to do,” O’Brien said. “He always puts the team first.”
The Bears weren’t necessarily on Trapilo’s radar. When the call came, he suspected it was an NFL team but had no clue which one.
He said he’s eager to compete in a sports city with a similar feel to Boston. His sisters are already searching for Bears sweatshirts online.
The Trapilos and their friends and family already had plans for Friday night: an annual cribbage tournament. Trapilo made the semifinals, but lost shortly after he was picked.
His mother understands why his head was elsewhere.
“For it to finally happen, I think I’m still in shock,” Trapilo said.
Everett star Josaiah Stewart taken by Rams in third round
Michigan edge rusher Josaiah Stewart, who starred at Everett High, went 90th overall in the third round to the Rams.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 249-pound Stewart was born in the Bronx, N.Y., and was ESPN’s No. 6 player from Massachusetts in the Class of 2021.
He began his college career at Coastal Carolina and played two years for the Chanticleers before transferring to Michigan, helping the Wolverines win the national title in 2023.
Stewart racked up 30 sacks during his four years in college.
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Trevor Hass can be reached at trevor.hass@globe.com. Follow him on X @TrevorHass.
