2018 BOSTON COLLEGE FOOTBALL POSITION PREVIEWS
Position-By-Position Breakdown Ahead of Opening Day
QUARTERBACKS
Returners: Anthony Brown (RSo.), EJ Perry (So.)Newcomers: Matt McDonald (RFr.), Dennis Grosel (RFr.), Johnny Langan (Fr.), Matt Valecce (Fr.)
Notes: The veteran of the Eagles' quarterback room, Brown reclaims his role as QB1 after a late-season injury ended his 2017 campaign. Brown was BC's starter from game one last season and went on to throw for 1,367 yards in 10 starts. He threw for 11 touchdowns, including three in a win at Virginia in which he totaled a season-high 275 yards. Brown's rookie season came to an end following a non-contact knee injury against NC State. Perry and McDonald have competed for the number-two slot on the depth chart throughout training camp; each getting opportunities with the first team offense while Brown works toward a full recovery. Perry, a product of Andover, Mass., moved up the depth chart to back-up for the final three games of 2017 following Brown's injury and made his college debut against Connecticut at Fenway Park. McDonald arrived on the Heights last summer from Mission Viejo (Calif.) High School, where he he threw for 2,764 yards and 39 touchdowns to just six interceptions.
Quotes From the Staff:
“Matt is highly accurate. Everybody has got unique skills. Matt's unique skill is he can anticipate throws. He doesn't have to see them open, he anticipates them and then he's very accurate. EJ has got a tremendous arm and he's got great athleticism. He too is starting to see the field. That's encouraging, but there is a learning curve to both of them and they're still in that learning curve. And Anthony is doing great. Anthony looks phenomenal in seven-ons and all the scout drills. We're going to start to merge him back in here little-by-little [this] week so he'll start to get more and more of this to get ready for the opener.” -- Head Coach Steve Addazio
“[Brown] understood the playbook, the plays. If you don't understand the whys, you aren't going to be good. The latter half of the season, he started to figure out why we were doing what we were doing. It's one thing whenever you're in a great play. But being a quarterback, understanding if you're in a bad play, this defense is going to take the play away. By throwing the ball, aggressive play, he's getting to the point where he's able to audible a little bit more. He's getting to the point where he understands the whys. I think that's really important. We all think that's really important.” -- Deputy Head Coach Offense/Offensive Coordinator Scot Loeffler
DEFENSIVE LINE
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.)
Notes: 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. 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. 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.
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.” – Addazio
“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
OFFENSIVE LINE
Returners: Jon Baker (Gr.), Nate Emer (RFr.), Eddy Fish (RSo.), Elijah Johnson (RSo.), Wyatt Knopfke (RJr.), Adam Korutz (RSo.), Alec Lindstrom (RFr.), Chris Lindstrom (Sr.), Aaron Monteiro (Sr.), Anthony Palazzolo (RJr.), Ben Petrula (So.), John Phillips (RJr.), Sean Ragan (RSo.), Sam Schmal (Gr.)Newcomers: Finn Dirstine (Fr.), Cam Reddy (Fr.), Thomas Shelmire (Fr.), Tyler Vrabel (Fr.)
Notes: The Boston College offensive line is one of 18 schools nationally that returns all five starters for 2018. Entering his senior year at right guard, Lindstrom has started a team-leading 35 games; all consecutively. Overall, seven BC offensive linemen have started 10 or more games in their career, including Monteiro, the BC left tackle, who has 29 career starts. The unit features a level of experience, depth and flexibility that few teams in the country possess. Now a graduate student, Baker went down with a torn ACL in the fourth quarter of the 2017 opener of his senior season. He started all 25 games the two previous seasons and is in line to return to his spot as BC’s starting center. Alec, the younger Lindstrom brother, redshirted a season ago and has taken first team reps at center throughout camp. Petrula, who had not previously played center, moved over the ball to fill in for Baker last season. He went on to start 12 games, but this preseason he is making the shift to tackle. Schmal brings a wealth of experience to the o-line after redshirting 2014 and serving two seasons as a reserve lineman. He has since made 24 starts, primarily at left guard. Adding to the squad’s experience are Phillips and Johnson, who continues to work back from a knee injury. Phillips came off the bench 11 games in 2016 and after playing as a reserve in last year’s opener, he went on to start each of the next 12 games. Johnson has not seen game action since 2016 when he appeared in 12 games and made 10 starts at left guard as a true freshman.
Quotes From the Staff:
“Chris [Lindstrom] is developing into being an elite offensive lineman. Honestly, he's as good as there is in the conference right now. I think that will show to be true at the end. He's very competitive, very tough guy. What a tremendous representation of Boston College. He just comes in here, kind of guy that stands for all the right things. His whole family. His brother Alec is a young guy here, following exactly in the same course as Chris. Chris will have a great opportunity to go on and play at the next level, have great things ahead of him. I wish I had 20 of him. He's a great guy, really, truthfully.” – Addazio
“You can't substitute experience. Right now, we feel we have six, seven, eight guys that have experience. We're older, stronger, more mature. We understand exactly what we want to do. It's always great whenever you have a veteran, older offensive line. That's the way we feel about our offense in general. Are there a few young guys still out there? Yes, there are. That's college football. For the most part we're older, smarter, strong, faster. I think everyone has a really great appreciation of what we're trying to accomplish on offense.” – Loeffler
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Returners: Hamp Cheevers (Jr.), Nolan Borgersen (RJr.), Tate Haynes (RFr.), Will Harris (Sr.), Brandon Sebastian (RFr.), Mike Palmer (RSo.), Lukas Denis (Sr.), Taj-Amir Torres (Sr.), Mehdi El Attrach (Jr.), Jahmin Muse (RFr.), Ben Stewart (RFr.)Newcomers: Elijah Jones (Fr.), Tyler Days (Fr.), Aaron Gethers (Fr.), Ezechiel Tieide (Fr.), Jason Maitre (Fr.)
Notes: The BC secondary has established itself as a “NO FLY ZONE”. The Eagles picked off 18 passes last year, which led the ACC and was 12th nationally. The entire defensive unit ranked first in the conference and third in the country, its highest national ranking, in team passing efficiency defense at 101.85. BC also ranked fourth in the ACC by allowing just 191.9 passing yards per game. Individually, Denis was second in the country and first in the league with seven interceptions from the free safety position and earned Walter Camp Football Foundation Second Team All-American honors. Named a preseason All-American by four media outlets heading into this season, he posted 83 tackles, including a career-high 13 at Clemson last season. Additionally, Denis knocked down 10 passes and forced two fumbles. Harris anchors the strong safety position for BC and equaled Denis with 83 tackles in 2017. He led the country with four fumble recoveries; two of which came in the Eagles’ win at Syracuse. Harris, who has started 29 consecutive games, is a Phil Steele’s Preseason All-American.
Quotes From the Staff:
“Will Harris, he's a dominant player now, a big-time guy. Both of those guys are big-time guys. Lukas and Will are the older guys in that group. Those were guys that have a lot of pride and came up in a group that has a lot of pride, starting with Justin Simmons set that course, Cam, Ike. Now you have Will and Luke. It's going to keep rolling. It's kind of a good deal. Luke has done a great job. What a role model. If you haven't spent a lot of time around Lukas Denis, you should do that. He's a tremendous kid with a great personality, wonderful heart. He's a really talented player. That makes usually for really good leadership skills. You can look up to him as a role model, as you can Will.”
– Addazio
“I think both Lukas and Will, I've said this almost ad nauseam, but they're both really, really extremely bright guys. They have an incredibly high football IQ, as well. They've just been tremendous from a leadership perspective. I think that's kind of carried on all the way since before I was here, whether it be Justin Simmons, then John Johnson my first year here, Kamrin Moore, Isaac (Yiadom), there's been a great legacy of older players helping younger players. Our young guys right now are benefitting every day from being around them. They have totally bought into everything that Coach Reid talk about here over the last three years, about being a selfless player, being a high-character person, the toughness. That stuff still does either matter, it's important to those guys. They are BC men in every way. They're special people, both those guys.” – Co-Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile
WIDE RECEIVERS
Returners: Elijah Robinson (Sr.), Michael Walker (Sr.), Jeff Smith (Sr.), Kobay White (RSo.), CJ Lewis (So.), Aidan Hegarty (RSo.), Christian McStravick (RSo.), Noah Jordan-Williams (RFr.), Ben Glines (RJr.)Newcomer: Jehlani Galloway (Fr.)
Notes: Between the Eagles’ depth at wide receiver and tight end, quarterback Anthony Brown will have a seemingly endless stock of options in the BC aerial attack this season. White emerged as the top target from the receiving corps with 34 catches in his redshirt-freshman season. A trio of seniors; Robinson, Smith and Walker all bring a combination of experience, pass-catching ability and athleticism to the group. White’s 34 receptions and 423 yards were both second on the team a year ago, but tops by a Boston College wide out. He scored two touchdowns, including a 34-yard reception in the end zone from Smith on a trick play to set the tone early in the Eagles’ 35-3 win over Florida State. Smith, like Robinson and Walker, arrived at BC in 2015 after making waves as a high school quarterback. After rushing for 450 and passing for 253 yards as a freshman, he made the move to receiver in 2016. Smith has had back-to-back productive seasons in the BC passing game with 27 catches for 395 yards as a first-time receiver and 25 catches for 296 yards last year. Walker, an All-ACC third team pick as a return specialist, contributed to the Boston College offense with 19 catches and 168 yards a year ago. He can shift the momentum of a game by helping BC win the field position battle, but is also expected to be a major player in the air. Robinson adds a veteran presence to the depth of the receivers. He has appeared in 30 games, primarily on special teams the last two years, but hauled in 11 catches as a true freshman in 2015.
Quotes From the Staff:
“They've developed and matured. A lot of them have played since they were freshmen and sophomores, and they're now juniors and seniors. That helps them with composure. Our talent has always been there, but it's now more about their mindset with the experience that's grown. I'm excited to see how they perform and help the team." – Wide Receivers Coach Rich Gunnell
“They're doing a great job. We have some older guys, Tom Sweeney has been around, Jeff Smith has been around. We have some older guys that understand what to do. They've played a lot of football.” – Loeffler
RUNNING BACKS
Returners: AJ Dillon (So.), John Fadule (Sr.), Ben Glines (RJr.), Davon Jones (RJr.), Travis Levy (So.), Andrew Strader (RJr.)Newcomers: David Bailey (Fr.), Javian Dayne (Fr.), Peter Stehr (Fr.)
Notes: Dillon became Boston College’s first ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,589 yards as a freshman last season. His rushing total ranked seventh nationally, the second most among all freshmen, the most in BC history by a freshman and the second most by a freshman in ACC history. Returning to the Heights a year older and stronger, Dillon was chosen as the ACC Preseason Player of the Year entering his sophomore campaign. He has been named a preseason All-American by six media outlets and is on the watch list for both the Doak Walker Award and Maxwell Award. Levy played in all 13 games as a true freshman a year ago and received 21 carries; totaling 54 yards. He figures to be the second string running back behind Dillon. The two backs have gotten the bulk of the work with the first team offense through camp and have made strides in the passing game as options out of the back field.
Quotes From the Staff:
“We feel like now AJ is in year two, he's an every-down back right now, third down included. We want to be able to help run the ball and throw the ball out of shotgun. We want to be able to run the ball under center and come out under center old school and three-step or five-step drop it. Those are some things we're working on.” – Addazio
“The foundation of any football program in my opinion has to be able to run the ball. You also have to be able to throw it. It's the new wave in football, that you have to be balanced. We've got a dynamic running back. We have a few dynamic running backs in my mind. Any time the defense has to account for the run game, it makes our throw game much better. We're super excited about it. We feel like we have some weapons on the perimeter. Hopefully the throw and run game can really work together the way we want it to.” – Loeffler
“Davon is doing a great job. He's playing both sides for us a little bit. We're trying to invest some time into him in case we have any issues or to increase our depth, while we're waiting for these young guys to develop. He's a powerful back. He's playing on defense and don't be surprised to see him game one having the ability to have 10 plays on offense.” – Addazio
LINEBACKERS
Returners: Connor Strachan (Gr.), Max Richardson (RSo.), Davon Jones (RJr.), John Lamot (RSo.), Curt Bletzer (RSo.), Paul Theobald Jr. (RFr.), Thomas Hovsepian (RFr.), Isaiah Miranda (RSo.), Jimmy Martin (RJr.) Kevin Bletzer (Gr.), Doug Rodier (RSo.), Isaiah McDuffie (So.), Ryan Whittelsey (RFr.), Reggie Terry Jr. (RFr.)Newcomers: Nick DeNucci (Fr.), Joe Sparacio (Fr.), Hugh Davis (Fr.), Vinny DePalma (Fr.), Evan Stewart (Fr.)
Notes: Boston College’s group of linebackers is charged with the task of replacing the team’s leading tackler Ty Schwab, who totaled 107, from last season. Aside from Schwab, the Eagles’ linebackers constantly battled injuries throughout 2017. Strachan, who was awarded a medical redshirt after needing knee surgery two games into the season, and Richardson both saw their seasons end before the calendar flipped to October. Each has returned healthy and ready for this season. Strachan, a middle linebacker, is a key leader on the field and in the locker room. He has appeared in 39 career games and totaled 176 tackles, including 26 TFLs and six sacks. Richardson, an outside linebacker, also suffered a season-ending knee injury last September. He posted 23 tackles, seven in each of his last seven games. Lamot emerged from the BC depth chart to play a major role with Strachan and Richardson going down. With the ability to play inside and outside linebacker, he totaled 63 tackles, all in his last eight games of the season.
Quotes From the Linebackers:
“Connor is just a great teammate, a great friend. Us both being on crutches last year was kind of a bonding experience. It helped our team unity, our linebacker unity, coming back on to the field with each other.” – Richardson
“Guys that are experienced are always going to help the room. With the linebacker corps, we need experience and those guys that have been there in those situations to help the young guys learn. I think we have a lot of experience between Connor and Max.” – Lamot
“I think it creates a good, competitive atmosphere where a lot of guys are making plays or are in position to make plays so it kind of elevates everyone else. If Lukas [Denis] gets a pick, I'm going for one or you see Wyatt [Ray] or Zach [Allen] come off the edge and get a sack, you're trying to get one too. With all these guys making plays, it just brings everyone else up. The standard for what's acceptable on defense now is higher.” – Strachan
TIGHT ENDS
Returners: Colton Cardinal (Sr. – fullback), Hunter Long (RFr.), Chris Garrison (RJr.), Jake Burt (RJr.), Korab Idrizi (Jr.), Ray Marten (Jr.), Patrick Brown (RFr.), Tommy Sweeney (Gr.)Newcomers: Joey Luchetti (Fr.), Tito Pasqualoni (Fr.), Brendan Smith (Fr.)
Notes: Boston College’s tight ends room rivals the skill of the Eagles’ receiving corps and experience of the offensive line, but with perhaps an unprecedented depth. Six veteran returners have played regularly throughout their career; five of whom caught at least one pass in 2017. Sweeney leads the group with 67 career receptions as he led BC with 36 catches, 512 yards and four touchdowns last season. The Eagles have the ability to use a variety of tight ends in a wide variety of roles in their offensive schemes, including the use of Cardinal in the H-back spot. Garrison, who started two games at tight end in 2016 before a season-ending injury, has provided 20 career catches and started all 13 games in 2017. Marten has played in 21 games, Burt in 17 and Idrizi 15. All three are strong blockers in the pass and run games and can contribute on the receiving side of the ball. Idrizi, a 6-foot-3, 250-pound product from Bergen Catholic (N.J.) has had a strong camp and is expected to play a major role in the offense going forward.
Quotes From the Staff:
“A lot of people talk about our tight end position as a difficult position, both physically and mentally. The position has so many job descriptions, especially in our style of offense. A lot of coaches use the term 'pro-style' for our offense, and it is, but there are, in fact, many elements to what we do.” – Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Frank Leonard
“Korab is probably one of the tougher guys in the country. He's very physical, but he's also very bright. That's what it has to be in that room - kids with intelligence because there are too many job descriptions. Ray plays that position just like Christian and Korab. They don't have a lot of dialogue. There's always going and always doing what we ask as coaches.” – Leonard
SPECIALISTS
Returners: Grant Carlson (RSo. – punter), Ben Glines (RJr. – returner), Thomas Hovespian (RFr. – long snapper), Colton Lichtenberg (Sr. - kicker), Jimmy Martin (RJr. – long snapper), Jeff Smith (Sr. – holder), Michael Walker (Sr. – returner)Newcomers: Danny Longman (Fr. – kicker), Garrett Reilly (Fr. – punter), John Tessitore (Fr. – kicker)
Notes: In the kicking game, Lichtenberg is a veteran of 23 games after appearing in all 13 games last season. He hit 12 field goals a year ago, including a season-long 42 yarder in the season opener at Northern Illinois. Lichtenberg was 3-for-3 in the win over the Huskies, nailed the game-winner from 37 yards out with 2:13 remaining in the game and was named the ACC Specialist of the Week for his efforts. He previously appeared in just the season opener in 2016 after kicking in nine games as a freshman in 2015. He hit three field goals that season, including career-long boots from 43 against Notre Dame and Syracuse. Lichtenberg will likely get the opportunity to handle kickoffs for the first time since 2015. A native of Missouri City, Texas, Carlson has yet to see the field at BC as he redshirted as a freshman in 2016 and did not see game action in 2017. He is the favorite coming out of training camp to handle the punting duties. At Ridge Point High (Texas) High School, Carlson earned Class 5A all-state second team as a senior and junior.
Quotes From the Staff:
“I thought Grant [Carlson] punted the ball well. He has been punting the ball well, which is important to us this year and he continued that today. He had some great punts and I'm really pleased with the way he has come on. I was concerned about that coming in. He has shown me that he's really taken a big step forward. I think he and Colton [Lichtenberg] have each upped their game. Jimmy Martin is snapping the ball really well too, which is helping them. Jimmy's snaps have been pinpoint, which is a big improvement from a year ago.” – Head Coach Steve Addazio
