Preseason Notebook: The Linebackers

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Thursday was about the linebackers. Looking at each member of the Boston College Defense's second line, the Eagles boast a full depth chart with veteran presence complimented by some new talent ready to make an impact.

"We got a lot of veteran guys…guys that have played some football here," said linebackers coach Dan O'Brien. They're really smart guys, great in the classroom, you know, they can transition what we do in the classroom onto the field."

DAY ELEVEN DETAILS
Date: August 15
Location: Chamberlin Field
Weather: 78, partly cloudy

THE RETURNERS

#1 - Daveon Crouch - Junior - Tampa, Fla.

Ready to make a jump in year three, Daveon Crouch has carved out a significant role on the Eagles' defense. After appearing in 11 games as a freshman, and 12 as a sophomore, the junior out of Tampa, Fla. profiles to play a significant amount of snaps in 2024. Crouch logged a career-high five tackles twice in 2023, first in a win at Georgia Tech and later in the Fenway Bowl victory over SMU.

"[Bam's] fearless," said fellow linebacker Kam Arnold. "He brings a lot of juice… he's fast, he's very athletic… We complement each other really well…both of us have good football instincts and good athleticism as well, just flying around and getting to the football."

#2 - Bryce Steele - Redshirt Junior - Raleigh, N.C.

After missing the 2023 season, Bryce Steele is returning to form as a redshirt junior. The Raleigh, North Carolina product played in 23 of 24 possible games over his first two seasons with BC, logging over 75 tackles and six TFLs over that stretch.

#5 - Kam Arnold - Graduate - West Bloomfield, Mich.

Kam Arnold returns as the leader of the linebacker room, fresh off winning Defensive MVP honors in the Eagles' Fenway Bowl victory over SMU. Arnold has played in 37 of 37 possible games over the last three years, with over 60 tackles in all three seasons. The imposing Michigan native finished top-three on the team in tackles in each of the last two seasons and will provide a veteran presence to this group.

"I gotta take over that alpha role," said Arnold. "Be a leader, get the guys going, and make sure everybody's fired up and ready to go every play."

The Linebackers (continued below...)

Gallery: (8-15-2024) BCFB Preseason Camp - Day 11 - 8/15/24

#7 - Sione Hala - Redshirt Sophomore - Los Angeles, Calif.

A young and impactful presence in the linebacker room, Sione Hala enters 2024 as a redshirt sophomore with a full year of playing time under his belt. Hala redshirted in 2022, but then played in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman last season, making 26 tackles with one sack. Hala logged a season-high seven tackles and a sack at Louisville and has earned a good chunk of preseason reps.

#8 - Jaylen Blackwell - Redshirt Junior - McDonough, Ga.

Jaylen Blackwell made two starts and played in seven games as a redshirt sophomore in 2023. The Georgia native logged a season-high seven tackles and a TFL against Northern Illinois. He missed the second half of the 2023 season after sustaining a season-ending injury.

#33 - Owen McGowan - Redshirt Junior - Canton, Mass.

After appearing in all 13 games in 2023, Owen McGowan is poised to contribute once again this season. The Canton, Mass. native, and Catholic Memorial product, has appeared in 24 games over the last two seasons, at linebacker, fullback, and on special teams. A former Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year, McGowan has made an impact in camp, including two interceptions in the first intrasquad scrimmage on Wednesday. No. 33 had a strong morning on Thursday, first forcing an incompletion on a QB pressure, and following with a run stuff and a nice full-extension PBU on a pass over the middle.

"I love the competitiveness we've shown," said McGowan. "Guys are getting after it, it's been really physical… I think we're going to have a really good room and a really good defense."

#34 - Tim Hays - Redshirt Sophomore - Concord, Mass.

Tim Hays redshirted as a freshman in 2022, and grew into a special teams contributor in 2023. Hays logged 148 tackles in three high school seasons, and added 16 rushing touchdowns as a fullback.

#36 - Billy Van Pelt - Redshirt Sophomore - Houston, Texas

Billy Van Pelt enters his third season at BC after two varsity seasons at linebacker in high school. Van Pelt earned second-team all-district honors as a senior, and the Houston native profiles as an important depth piece in the linebacker room.

#44 - Palaie Faoa - Redshirt Freshman - Ewa Beach, Hawai'i

Palaie Faoa enters 2024 ready to contribute after redshirting his first year at BC in 2023. Faoa played varsity all four years of high school, and was a three-time team captain. The Hawai'i native earned First-Team All-State honors as a junior in high school, and followed with a First-Team selection and Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior.

#45 - Joe Marinaro - Graduate - Wayzata, Minn.

Joe Marinaro has appeared in 18 games over the last two seasons, primarily in a special teams capacity on kickoff and kick return. Marinaro was a nominee for Minnesota's Mr. Football in 2019, and he will play an important role on the special teams unit and provide depth in the linebacker room.

#54 - Juan Zabal - Redshirt Sophomore - Mexico City, Mexico

Juan Zabal spent the 2022 season on a redshirt, and after appearing in one game last season, has worked into more preseason reps and has an opportunity to impact defense and special teams.

THE NEWCOMERS

"We got a lot of competition in the room," said Dan O'Brien. "We got guys that, you know, push each other every day, they coach each other on the field, and it allows for our position group to grow every day and get better every day, and execute at a high level."

#42 - Kemori Dixon - Freshman - Danville, Va.

Kemori Dixon arrives at BC after earning two All-Region accolades at George Washington high school. The Danville, Virginia native was a versatile athlete in high school, earning all-district honors in basketball and qualifying for states in the long jump.

#47 - Caden Bowling - Freshman - New Canaan, Conn.

Caden Bowling arrives at BC after attending New Canaan high school and The Brunswick School. The Connecticut native also played basketball and profiles as a depth piece on defense and special teams.

#50 - Sean Howard - Freshman - McLean, Va.

A two-time conference champion in high school, Sean Howard will help fill out the linebacker depth chart and compete to impact the special teams units as well.

Players Mentioned

Kam Arnold

Jaylen Blackwell

Caden Bowling

Daveon Crouch

Kemori Dixon

Palaie Faoa

Sione Hala

Tim Hays

Sean Howard

Joe Marinaro

Owen McGowan

Bryce Steele

Billy Van Pelt

Juan Zabal

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