True freshmen have a hard time making an immediate impact at the Power-5 level in the age of redshirts, fifth-year graduate students and the open transfer portal.

Boston College wide receiver Jaedn Skeete is one of the few exceptions. The 6-1, 176-pound speedster from Hyde Park has become a fixture in quarterback Thomas Castellanos’ progressions despite a crowded field of receivers.

Freshman WR Jaedn Skeete. (BC Athletics photo)

“We need the next guy to step up and do the best that he can and we have a lot of young guys playing right now,” said BC head coach Jeff Hafley. “Guys that step up have to play and Skeete is one of those guys.

“If you look at what Skeete did the last two weeks, he is a young guy that is starting to play really well. He has started now in multiple games and he is seeing significant playing time.”

Skeete will compete in his fifth game since replacing Ryan O’Keefe at the X-receiver slot when BC (6-4, 3-3) encounters the Pittsburgh Panthers (2-8, 1-5) on Thursday night (7) at Acrisure Stadium.

Skeete’s college career got jump started when O’Keefe, a transfer from Central Florida, went down with a season-ending neck injury in BC’s 27-24 win over Virginia on Sept. 30.

To demonstrate the impact of the loss, O’Keefe is still third on the team in receiving with 23 catches for 235 yards and a touchdown in five games. Skeete has eight catches for 89 yards with a long of 34 and a touchdown.

“I definitely think I have grown as a player just being around the great athletes and great wide receivers that we have here,” said Skeete. “They have helped me develop and put details into my game and that is what I needed to do.

“The details are being where you’re supposed to be at the right time and just executing and play harder than the guy in front of you. It’s a long process, the season is always long and for someone just starting off and not playing. It involves doing what you are supposed to be doing and you will be rewarded.”

Skeete is one of three players on the roster who played for famed coach John DiBiaso at Catholic Memorial High School in West Roxbury.

The elder statesman of the trio is redshirt sophomore middle linebacker Owen McGowan of Canton, who also doubles as an H-back in goal line situations and scored his first touchdown with a two-yard reception in the Eagles’ 17-10 win at Syracuse. The other is true freshman defensive back Max Tucker from Hyde Park, who has appeared in seven games and has been used on special teams.

“My senior year coach (DiBiaso) mentored me, taught me what to expect,” said Skeete. “His words stuck with me and that is why I’m here.

“Max has been my brother growing up, same high school and same middle school and we were always playing together. He’s a great DB, an aggressive guy and likes to come down and make hard tackles and he flies around the field.”