Position Preview: Defensive Line
August 15, 2018 | Football
Veterans Allen, Ray and Smith Lead the rush for the BC d-line.
PERSONNEL
Returners: Zach Allen (Sr.), Brandon Barlow (RSo.), Tanner Karafa (RJr.), Bryce Morais (RSo.), Wyatt Ray (Sr.), TJ Rayam (So.), Ray Smith (Sr.)Newcomers: Kyiev Bennermon (Fr.) Jaleel Berry (RFr.), Ryan Betro (Fr.), Taylor Hill (RSo.), Drew McQuarrie (RFr.), Marcus Valdez (RFr.)
The majority of the attention payed to the Boston College defense center around Allen, who spent the last three years growing and learning around All-American and NFL second round selection Harold Landry. Allen was an All-ACC Honorable Mention a year ago and one of just two defensive linemen in the country to eclipse 100 tackles. Despite high grades from NFL scouts, he decided in January to return to BC for his senior season rather than pursue football at the professional level.
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Entering this season, Allen has been named a Preseason All-American by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. He is on the watch list for the Bednarik Award, Ted Hendricks Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Wuerfell Trophy. In 2017, Allen led the Eagles' pass rush with six sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss, which is tied for 10th most in a single season in program history.
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Opposite Allen, Boston College turns to Ray, another veteran end. He has appeared in 37 games over his collegiate career and made five starts; all coming in the final games of 2017 in place of an injured Landry.
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Smith anchors the BC d-line from the inside at nose tackle. He has played in 27 games and made 22 starts. He totaled 59 tackles as a junior and accounted for six or more in a game on five occasions, including nine against Wake Forest and eight in the Pinstripe Bowl against Iowa.
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The challenge for the Eagles up front will be replacing the production of Noa Merritt, who started in 16 career games and posted 50 tackles as a senior, including 6.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks. Karafa moved from defensive end to tackle in the off-season and should be one player to watch along with Rayam, who appeared in six games as a true freshman.
BY THE NUMBERS
#2 Allen, Zach: 13 games, 100 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 6.0 sacks, 1 INT, 3 PBU, 6 QBH#11 Ray, Wyatt: 13 games, 39 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT, 2 QBH, 1 blocked kick
#44 Barlow, Brandon: 4 games, 1 tackle
#48 Karafa, Tanner: 13 games, 16 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 1 PBU
#90 Morais, Bryce: 3 games
#96 Smith, Ray: 13 games, 59 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 3 PBU, 2 QBH
#99 Rayam, T.J: 6 games, 1 tackle, 1.0 TFL
Contributing on both special teams and on the defensive line, Karafa adds depth and experience on the end as well. He has played in 18 career games and made 16 tackles last season. Barlow is another option for the Eagles as an edge-rusher. He has had a strong showing in camp spelling Allen in first team reps after appearing in four games during his redshirt freshman season in 2017.
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Among those that have yet to step on the field for a game as an Eagle, McQuarrie and Valdez have had promising camps. McQuarrie, who played tight end last season until bowl practices, has adjusted well to his position change, which comes just two years after being a high school quarterback in Weare, N.H. Like McQuarrie, Valdez redshirted last season. The 6-foot-1, 260-pounder has shown the versatility to play both end or tackle. Valdez is looking to return to game action for the first time since suffering a season-ending knee injury as a senior in high school at Don Bosco Prep.
DOWN THE LINE
Bennermon rated as the No. 22 prospect in the state of New York at Spackenkill High School last year… he arrives on the Heights after posting 79 tackles and 11.0 TFLs as a senior… Berry, who weighs in at 310 pounds, sat out 2017 as a redshirt… he played defensive tackle at Nottingham (N.Y.) High School… a taller defensive tackle at 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, Betro comes to BC from Lawrence (Mass.) Academy… he was the top-ranked DT and fifth overall prospect in the state according to Rivals… Hill is a two-year member of the Eagles as he redshirted the 2016 season, but did not see game action last year… earned Associated Press All-Ohio as a junior at St. Charles Prep.QUOTES FROM THE STAFF
"I'd say the one position that I'm looking to see the depth respond right now is at the pass-rushers. Wyatt Ray and Zach Allen are two elite pass-rushers. We have a couple guys we think have the talent and ability, but we want to see them start to come on." – Head Coach Steve AddazioÂ
"Zach came back. I want you to know that people said, why would he risk that? Well, let me just say this to you. He's coming back for all the right reasons. He loves his teammates. He loves the education he's getting here. He loves Boston College, the environment, everything to do with it. His versatility is extremely, extremely unique. He can run fast. He's big. He's physical. He can use his hands. He can stop the run, he can stop the pass, get the ball down, rush the passer. Unbelievable. What I love most about him is this. When Zach Allen speaks, everybody listens, including the guy that's talking right now." – Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Ends Jim Reid
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"Guys that rush the quarterback, their pass-rush skills. I mean, it's not that he's not working on run defense and defeating a block. Those guys all want to get to the quarterback, so they're working on different moves, different techniques. That's got their major attention. Zach is maniacal about everything. He wants to be the best, which is a great thing. Fun to be around him and watch him." – Addazio
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