Welcome back to another position preview! We’re just few weeks away from Boston College football’s season opener against the Florida State Seminoles. Until then, here’s a brief look at some of BC’s most important defensive linemen and linebckers.
Defensive Line
It’s no secret that Boston College struggled to sack opposing quarterbacks in 2023, and generating pressure always starts with the defensive line. The Eagles tallied 13 sacks as a team and finished with a 3.04% sack percentage, which ranked 131 out of 133 FBS teams. The good news is that a lot of BC’s best pass rushers are returning for another season in Chestnut Hill.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, who was one of three Eagles who tied for the team lead with two sacks last year, will be a senior in 2024 and is looking to rebound in a big way. In 2022, he had 7.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 60 tackles; BC really needs him to return to that level of output again this season. Neto Okpala will also be a senior and also finished last season with 2 sacks. He, along with Ezeiruaku will be heavily depended on as veteran leaders of this BC defense.
Next up is former Michigan transfer, George Rooks, who started 12 games last year at defensive tackle and finished with 1.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 29 tackles. He is someone who could be a breakout candidate now that he’s already got a whole year at BC under his belt and is in his junior year. Caleb Jones is another former transfer (NC A&T) who missed all of last season with an injury, although he was a Freshman All-American at NC A&T prior to his time at BC. Some other names to watch are Illinois transfer Sed McConnell, Gilbert Tongrongou, Cam Horsley, and Quintayvious Hutchins.
Linebackers
The Eagles are really going to miss veteran leader and leading tackler, Vinny DePalma, who has joined the New England Patriots coaching staff after six years at The Heights. That means Kam Arnold is now the de facto leader of the linebacking corps and defense. A year ago, he ranked up 66 tackles, 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. Bryce Steele, who missed all of last season while fighting thymoma, is now cancer-free and should have a very big role in Bill O’Brien’s defense.
Jaylen Blackwell and Daveon Crouch will also be called upon to step up in the linebacker room. Blackwell had 11 tackles last year and Crouch had 17. Behind them, look for guys like redshirt junior Owen McGowan and redshirt freshman Palaie Faoa to get on the field in limited action.