A lot must not go well for a team to struggle to a 3-9 season. In 2022, the Boston College Eagles tasted defeat in all its bitterness, and experienced so in a variety of ways.
Their starting quarterback was injured. Offensive line struggles and injuries plagued the team all season, leading to inconsistencies across the offense. And the defense delivered a heroic effort at times, ultimately succumbing to injuries and depth issues of their own. Toss in fatigue for the defense from spending way too much time on the field, and the recipe for disaster is complete.
Teams found success on the ground against the Eagles, rushing for nearly 168 yards per game. Part of this was due to pass defense that was overall solid, allowing only 19 passing touchdowns in 12 games. Opponents scored 30 points a game but, like the case for many teams, all of that cannot be pinned on a defense.
An area of need that can be pinned on this unit is forced turnovers, of which Boston College came away with only 12. And sacks were decent, with 27, but also a total that can be improved upon.
The defense in '23 will hope to remedy all aspects on their side of the ball. Veterans, youth, and transfers will hope to launch the Boston College Eagles into another stratosphere, where new co-defensive coordinators Sean Duggan and Aazaar Abdul-Rahim will have plenty of talent to work with.
Seasoned front seven
Former defensive coordinator Tem Lukabu forged something special in his three seasons with Boston College. Now with the Carolina Panthers, Lukabu left behind several veterans for Duggan and Abdul-Rahim to mold the defense in their vision.
Success will begin with the front seven, where plenty of players on the defensive front and at the linebacker spot can help the Boston College defense become elite. And these are players who will help determine whether the Eagles notch four wins or eight wins.
At the top of the list is junior defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku.
Ezeiruaku is coming off an outstanding sophomore year in which he had 61 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss. He led the team in sacks with 8.5, notching a sack in 7 of the 12 games played in '22.
Ezeiruaku also led the team in forced fumbles with three.
One goal for this star-in-the-making defensive end is to find more consistency across the season. Two of Ezeiruaku's best games were the opener and the closer, where he had nine tackles in each game (against Rutgers and Syracuse, respectively). True that much of an opponent's focus was on stopping Ezeiruaku. In some ways, teammates failed to step up in that department but an experienced group on the line should help alleviate pressure in 2023.
One of those players is Shitta Sillah. Big things were expected of Sillah before a shoulder injury sidelined after the first game of the season. This was after previous two seasons in '20 and '21 in which Sillah played in 21 games, making eight starts. Over that span, he had 53 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and a game-clinching interception against Louisville in 2020.
Getting Sillah back is a plus, as is the return of Cam Horsley (30 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss), Kris Banks, Ty Clemons, and Edwin Kolenge. Kolenge is one to keep an eye on, playing well in only three games last season.
Adding depth on the defensive line are two transfers in George Rooks (Michigan) and Caleb Jones (NC A&T). Rooks is a redshirt sophomore and could make an impact right out of the gate.
The defensive line might have the most depth for the Boston College defense heading into the season but the linebackers aren't lagging too far behind.
The top-two tacklers, both linebackers, return, with two others ready to make the jump from contributor to standout.
Vinny DePalma returns after notching 87 tackles (49 solo) last season. DePalma added seven tackles for loss and one sack.
On an individual level, DePalma's best games where against Notre Dame (12 tackles) and Louisville (11 tackles). In coming back for this super-senior year, DePalma could stand to average 10+ tackles a game. Finding that extra gear in run support would help immensely, especially if given an agency to roam the field more.
While accumulating over 100 total tackles in '23 is a nice goal, it also might not be needed with the veteran linebackers in this group. Kam Arnold returns after post 75 tackles in '22. He, too, had a 12-tackle game, against Virginia Tech.
There's also Bryce Steele and Jaylen Blackwell to contend with, both who are ready to make the jump and be more consistent in all aspects. Steele had 51 tackles and two sacks last season and finished strong with at least one TFL in four straight games to close the season.
Blackwell pounced on the field to start '22, with eight tackles and two sacks in the first two games. Progress wasn't really made as the season wore on, however, as Blackwell finished with 20 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
More from Blackwell is needed and there are questions regarding depth behind these four. However, it's a solid base to start from and not as wobbly as the unit roaming the field behind them.
Secondary green
Recent seasons have given little to worry about who is manning the secondary for the Boston College Eagles. The talent pool was seemingly bottomless, and depth was a non-issue, with players able to play multiple positions in the secondary.
The 2023 season could be a different story.
No less than five players from last season's secondary have departed, many who contributed in multiple ways. Gone are the likes of Jaiden Woodbey (NFL), Josh DeBerry (transfer to Texas A&M) and Jason Maitre (transfer to Wisconsin).
The talent pool might very well be there but the sad truth many of the players don't have the experience yet. So, it's tough to say exactly what the defense has for sure.
One player not on that list is Elijah Jones, who will be depended on for leadership along with his skills on the field. Jones had two interceptions in '22, tied for the lead with Arnold, and added 34 tackles.
Jones has played 51 games in his Boston College career and was an All-ACC honorable mention last season.
Two of the few other members of the secondary who saw decent playing time are Cole Batson and Amari Jackson. Batson, in his last four games of the '22 season, had 16 solo tackles (finishing the season with 30) and is the only other returning player with an interception from a season ago.
Jackson had his missteps but finished with 21 tackles over nine games. Though he didn't have a pick, Jackson found ways to be disruptive and finished with three pass breakups.
Other returners in redshirt sophomore Jalen Cheek and redshirt freshman Sione Hala are two to keep an eye on. Cheek appeared in three games and Hala only one but both should get their opportunity to shine. Especially Hala, who can bring the hit stick with the best of them.
Two transfer players in Alex Washington and Khari Johnson could also make an immediate impact. Washington had six interceptions and 57 tackles in 27 career games with Harvard. Johnson played three seasons at Arkansas, totaling 35 tackles.
A lot of questions remain at the back end but with this group up front, chances are the Boston College Eagles can make some noise on defense. This experience and depth up front should mean more pressure, in both the ground and passing games. Ease up some of the pressure the secondary will no doubt be seeing early in the season. And if those youngsters can cut down the learning curve quickly and the veterans play to their strengths, the defense has the chance to put together a hard-hitting, high-flying season. And that's exactly what is needed around Chestnut Hill this fall.
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
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