Tanner Tough

Virginia Tech had clear momentum when its offense came back on the field to start a drive late in the third quarter. The Hokies scored a touchdown on their previous possession, and a BC three-and-out put them back on the field after less than a minute expired. Ryan Willis overcame a first-play false start to complete a 12-yard pass, and Virginia Tech's offense began moving forward when the period came to a close.

The movement created a nervous energy at Alumni Stadium, and another quick first down didn't quell anything to start the fourth. It was one of those moments where an undercurrent of anxiety wished and hoped for a big time play in a big time moment.

Enter Tanner Karafa. After John Lamot stuffed Deshawn McClease in the backfield on a first down play, Willis called for a screen pass off to the left side. McClease rotated out after the snap, and offensive lineman Christian Darrisow released. It allowed Karafa to jailbreak by design so he would run past the play, enabling Willis to float a pass over the charge to McClease with a lead block.

The pass never got there. Karafa jumped, as McClease came back to the ball, and snagged it out of the air in a fit of athleticism before tumbling to the Alumni Stadium turf with an intercepted piece of glory.

"We rotate so many guys (along the line), and there's so many factors involved," head coach Steve Addazio said. "You have your 'first regular,' your 'second regular,' your 'first nickel,' your 'second nickel,' and your first this and your second that. That's based on what's going on in the game: fatigue, injury, whatever. (Tanner) is a guy that we're going to plug along that defensive line in a lot of spots. It was fun to watch him make such a critical play."

Karafa's pick changed the entire dynamic of BC's win over the Hokies. It didn't result in an immediate touchdown, but it completely deflated the Virginia Tech offense. VT went three-and-out on its next drive, right before the Eagles ground out a touchdown drive that ate over three minutes off the clock.

It was a signature, statement moment in a signature, statement victory, and it came from the team's defensive captain. It also provided something of a first stamp to a capstone season for one of BC's best stories, a segue to an ultimate Eagle on a stout defensive line.

"He's such a great story," Addazio said. "Tanner didn't play for the first couple of years. He wasn't traveling with the team when he was here as a freshman. He paid his dues."

Karafa entered BC, after all, a three-star, developmental recruit - at inside linebacker. He set both the single-season and single-game tackle records as part of the Virginia 5A state champion Stone Bridge High School squad. It earned him the 2014 Virginia High School League Regional and Conference Defensive Player of the Year award, and he became one of the most decorated among all-region and all-state honorees.

Scouting services believed in his potential, but didn't see him as a full impact player. They saw him as a productive linebacker with additional potential as a tight end, and his size made him an intriguing prospect. Reports loved his explosiveness and strength, but they also noted his need for seasoning and development.

In other words, he was the perfect candidate for a Boston College program looking for future defensive talent. Karafa's recruiting class enrolled in 2015, a year widely noted for its contrast between defensive dominance and offensive struggles. The struggles forced offensive players into meaningful snaps before offensive development occurred, but the defense's skill enabled players like him to work behind the scenes before settling into positional placement.

"It's everything," Addazio said. "I forgot what Tanner's (starting weight) was, but I'll throw the number of around high 210s to maybe 220. He's 285, 290 (now). He's come a long way. He's put on at least 60 to 65 pounds here, and there's not really any fat on him."

Karafa redshirted 2015 and only played in six games in 2016, but he saw extended time in 2017. He played in all 13 games as a defensive end, recording 16 tackles and two tackles for loss. It paved his road to a starting position on the interior line last season, where he became a productive star with 47 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks over all 12 games. He remained a versatile piece through it all, which is why he intercepted the pass from the defensive end instead of the interior position he's made more recognizable.

"He came in as a linebacker," Addazio said. "He had to put a whole bunch of weight on. Then he went to defensive end. Then he had to go inside. He just kept grinding and was a team guy, and here he is now, a captain making unbelievable plays, critical to our success. I love those stories."

The story generates depth to the satisfaction of Karafa's interception on Saturday. He had three tackles and two passes defended, but his interception changed the game's whole complexion. The moment sucked all wind from Virginia Tech's sails because it was entirely athletic. The Hokies didn't do anything wrong and executed everything in their design. A single player - a trusted captain on the defense - disrupted everything with an unpreventable, individual effort.

"He's a great student (and) a great human being," Addazio said. "He's one of the highest character guys in the program and one of the toughest. You can't not like that story. It's a good story."

Karafa and the Eagles are back in action this weekend when they host Richmond at Alumni Stadium. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. and can be seen on ACC Network Extra.

Players Mentioned

Tanner Karafa

John Lamot

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