BC Football Spring Notebook (March 28, 2019)

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Boston College defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Bill Sheridan begins his first year in leading the BC defense after joining the staff in 2018. A former defensive coordinator for the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sheridan has the task of replacing eight starters on defense, including six Eagles who earned invites to the NFL Combine and should hear their names called in April's NFL Draft.

"A lot of young guys are getting a lot of reps," said Sheridan. "Obviously, we had some really good players that have moved on and have a chance to play in the NFL. So our young guys are very excited for the opportunity – they're getting a ton of reps, we're running a lot of plays in practice."

Sheridan knows the importance of getting so many reps this spring for every player who sees the field.

"We're rotating all of the guys through so even the three's – the positions that we have three-deep – they're getting reps as well," Sheridan said. "I'm encouraged. We've put in almost the entire play book. We have mental errors from time to time and that has to get corrected but we wouldn't run the volume of defense we're running now in an individual game week, but that's alright. I'm encouraged and the guys are excited."

One strength of the BC defense in 2019 should be the linebackers. Four players return who have started at least one game in their career, led by junior Isaiah McDuffie, redshirt junior Max Richardson, redshirt senior Davon Jones and redshirt junior John Lamot.

McDuffie, who is out this spring recovering from a knee injury, finished second on the team with 95 tackles in 12 games in 2018. The New York native totaled 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and broke up two passes as one of the most active defenders on the field the entire season.

Richardson returned from a knee injury in 2018 and was a dynamic playmaker all year long, playing in all 12 games. He finished the year with 76 tackles (third on the team) to go along with 9.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. A versatile player who can play any of the three linebacker positions, Richardson is primed for an even bigger season in 2019.

Jones returns for his fifth season as one of the most rugged, physical players on the entire team. He played in 10 games a season ago both at running back and linebacker, but has been solely at linebacker this spring.

"They've been good," said Sheridan. "Max has picked up where he left off. He had an excellent year last year and he's had a good spring – we've played him a little bit both at the mike and will, we're just trying to give guys some position flexibility in the spring. We've done this with John Lamot, Davon Jones and even the young guys – I think Paul Theobald has had a good spring. Vinny (DePalma) had a really good scrimmage the other day. Even Nick (DeNucci) and Evan Stewart and Hugh Davis - they're getting a ton of reps and they're getting better. They still look like freshmen but they're getting a lot better because of just the volume of repetitions they're getting in practice."

The secondary lost four players who played extensively in 2018, including potential NFL draft selections in Will Harris, Lukas Denis and the nation's leader in interceptions a season ago, Hamp Cheevers. Redshirt sophomore Brandon Sebastian returns after blossoming into one of the team's best defensive players in 2018.

Sebastian ended the season with 49 tackles, 2.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack, two interceptions and eight pass breakups.

"Brandon Sebastian is a returning starter for us and has played well this spring," said Sheridan. "Tate (Haynes) has had a real good spring. Between him and Elijah Jones, they'll probably solidify the three main corners we'll be playing. The safety position is wide open because we've been playing with Lukas and Will the past couple years. Mehdi (El Attrach) is taking advantage of the reps he's getting. Unfortunately it's his last go-around but he's doing a good job. Mike (Palmer) has been very steady – he'll be playing a lot. Jahmin Muse is getting a ton of reps and Nolan (Borgersen) is having a nice spring. He's fallen into a couple interceptions in the past few days so he's doing a good job."

The position group on defense probably hit the hardest by graduation is the defensive line. Zach Allen, Wyatt Ray and Ray Smith are three players who BC fans will probably see playing on Sundays next season in the NFL. With the loss of so many impact players, the opportunity for the next wave of BC defensive linemen is quickly approaching.

"They're being really fanatically coached and they're getting better," Sheridan said about the defensive line. "Tanner (Karafa) is a very, very solid player and had an excellent year last year – he hasn't missed a beat this spring. The nose tackles, TJ (Rayam) and Jaleel Berry, they've been fighting for playing time with Tanner. (Kyiev) Bennermon and Isaiah Henderson, the two young guys, they're getting a ton of reps. We're trying to move them around to make sure they can play both the two inside techniques and I think both of them are going to be good players. It's very encouraging."

"With the defensive ends, Marcus (Valdez) got nicked up for the rest of the spring so he'll be out. Bryce Morais is getting thrown in there and getting a lot of reps. On the other side, between Brandon Barlow and Joey Luchetti, they're competing for playing time at the other position. John Lamot is doing some of that also. So I'm encouraged in our good, young players. They just haven't played a lot. You can meet with them for an hour every day and watch all of the practice film and try to get the riled up but they're getting better, for sure."

The Eagles have just four practices remaining this spring, including a scrimmage Saturday along with the Jay McGillis Memorial spring game on Saturday, April 6 at noon inside Alumni Stadium.

BC Football Spring Notebook (March 28, 2019)

Players Mentioned

Zach Allen

Brandon Barlow

Jaleel Berry

Hamp Cheevers

Hugh Davis

Lukas Denis

Will Harris

Davon Jones

Elijah Jones

John Lamot

Joey Luchetti

Isaiah McDuffie

Bryce Morais

Jahmin Muse

Wyatt Ray

Max Richardson

Brandon Sebastian

Ray Smith

Evan Stewart

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