The Boston College Eagles football team has plenty of talent in 2019, led by all-ACC running back AJ Dillon. Do the Eagles take a step forward in 2019?
In the last couple of seasons, hopes have been high for the Boston College Eagles football team reaching eight or nine wins, a plateau that hasn’t been reached since Steve Addazio became head coach.
Addazio has picked up seven wins in five of his six seasons as Boston College head coach, but has yet to reach that magical 8th win. In fact, it hasn’t been done at Boston College since the Eagles went 8-5 in 2009.
The Eagles seemed on their way to a possible 10-win season in 2018, sitting 7-2 with three games and likely bowl game left to play.
Instead, Boston College closed the regular season with three straight losses, including losses at home to Clemson and Syracuse. Even the 8th-win eluded the Eagles, as the First Responder Bowl game against the Boise State Broncos was cancelled due to weather, with Boston College leading 7-0 in the first quarter.
Eight wins or more is again on the agenda for the Eagles. Boston College will have some key holes to fill on defense, but their offense returns players at several key positions, including the offensive line. They should again be one of the best units in the nation, led by standouts Ben Petrula and Alec Lindstrom, who was recently named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List for the nation’s best center.
For the Eagles to find success, here are five players who must have an impact in 2019.
The all-American running back
Entering his junior year, AJ Dillon has not disappointed and 2019 promises to be even better.
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Despite missing two games with a high-ankle sprain — and being hampered by the injury to close out 2018 — Dillon still had a fantastic season. He ran for 1,108 yards, in the process becoming the first player in Boston College history to run for 1,000 or more yards in each of their first two seasons.
Dillon also had ten touchdowns in earning a first-team all-ACC selection at running back.
The injury certainly played a part in Dillon’s effectiveness down the stretch. He went over 100 yards rushing only once in the last four games, totaling 116 against Florida State.
Dillon has the ability to pick up yards in big chunks and will be the focal point of the Boston College offense. While true that he was dealing with the effects of the ankle injury, it didn’t help that teams loaded up to stop Dillon. The passing game was inept at times, only making things more difficult for Dillon.
Running behind the excellent line will only help Dillon standout. An effective aerial attack will help matters immensely.
Kobay White
Also entering his junior season, wide receiver Kobay White has a chance to make a lot of noise in 2019.
We’ve seen glimpses the last two seasons, even leading the team in receptions (33) and yards (526) in 2018. The Eagles offense is predicated on the run, but given the opportunity, White can thrive in an improved passing game.
That was part of the issue in 2018. Part of that was due to inconsistent play and injuries at quarterback. Anthony Brown looked fantastic early, fell into a slump, was injured and never could quite get back on track.
This partially led to White not finding the end zone after the week 3 game against Wake Forest. He ended the season with three touchdowns while hauling in at least one catch in every game.
White should see even more action in 2019 and a chance to bypass the number of games (2) in which he surpassed 100 receiving yards. One of the best games of his career was a 7-catch, 121-yard performance against Florida State.
Tanner Karafa
The Boston College Eagles have had some outstanding talent at defensive end the past few years, with Harold Landry and Zach Allen dominating the headlines.
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He may play defensive tackle, but the focus in 2019 will be on Tanner Karafa.
Karafa is coming off a solid season in 2018, accumulating four sacks and tossing in 8.5 tackles-for-loss for good measure. He had also had 47 tackles with a season-high eight against Florida State.
With Allen and Wyatt Ray drawing most of the attention in 2018, Karafa was able to clog up the middle. He’ll be asked to do more this season with Allen and Ray both having graduated. Karafa will be given a chance to shine in his final season at Boston College.
It will interesting to see if Karafa plays primarily as a defensive tackle. In 2017, much of his game-action came at defensive end so versatility is certainly factor. Perhaps to best utilize Karafa, rotating him around might be the best bet.
Isaiah McDuffie
Linebacker and leading tackler from 2018 Connor Strachan has graduated but that doesn’t mean the unit will be without talent.
Junior Isaiah McDuffie proved last season he has plenty of that to go around.
McDuffie played in all 12 games in 2018, starting six. He was second on the team in tackles behind Strachan, finishing with 85. McDuffie tossed in 3.5 sacks for good measure.
Earning more playing time as the season progressed, McDuffie only got better. He had 13 tackles in games against N.C. State and Virginia Tech and showed up in fantastic form against Clemson, racking up eight tackles and a sack.
McDuffie will be counted on to be a leader on this defense, especially with Strachan and Allen, plus most of the secondary, moving up in the world. McDuffie will have help at linebacker as the Eagles also return Max Richardson, who had 76 tackles and 9 tackles-for-loss in 2018.
Hunter Long
The position of tight end on the Boston College Eagles belonged to Tommy Sweeney the past three seasons. With Sweeney graduated, the position is up for grabs.
That’s where Hunter Long enters the picture.
Replacing career numbers of 99 receptions, 1281 yards and 10 touchdowns will be no easy feat. Sweeney was also a great leader and provided a dependable safety valve for Boston College quarterbacks the last few seasons.
Long, a redshirt sophomore, will be one of the players expected to fill Sweeney’s role. Long’s stats are a little light, but when he showed up in 2018, he showed. Long caught 4 passes for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns. While Sweeney was more of a possession receiver, Long has the ability to stretch the field and possibly open up the Eagles passing game even more.
Long will likely team with graduate student Jake Burt, hopefully forming a dynamic tight end duo. Burt had 6 receptions for 83 yards and a score in 2018 and he and Long were both named to the John Mackey Award Watch List for the nation’s top tight end.