Boston College Eagles: Defense set to reload in 2019

A look at the defense for the Boston College Eagles in 2019, a unit that is looking to replace seven starters and a whole lot of depth.

Talent and experience were easy to come by for the Boston College Eagles defense in 2018. Seven players from that team are in — or have spent time in — NFL training camps, many of who were multi-year starters for the Eagles.

Gone are the likes of Zach Allen, Will Harris and Lukas Denis. Allen, the defensive end who had 61 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2018, was taken with the 65th-pick in the NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Harris, a safety, was taken 16 picks later by the Detroit Lions.

Denis, who had seven interceptions in 2017, was part of a secondary in 2018 that also saw Hamp Cheevers (7 int in ’18) and Taj-Amir Torres initially sign as undrafted free agents.

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Denis is still with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Cheevers and Torres are currently free agents.

Despite a unit loaded with talent in 2018, Boston College still showed signs of regression. This has been happening since 2015, when the defense allowed only 15.3 points and 254 yards per game.

Still, the team had 18 interceptions and 33 sacks in 2018. Last season saw the Eagles give up 25.7 points and just over 400 yards per contest.

Replacing these players will not be easy, but the Boston College roster is full of youngsters who are ready to make in impact in 2019.

A green crew in 2019

Only five players who have started a collegiate game return on defense in 2019 for Boston College, meaning fans will see a lot of new faces. A schedule that is once again backloaded with tough games should allow the team to find cohesion early. This should give the Boston College coaches plenty of time to find who works best together.

The secondary might be the biggest concern, especially when the Eagles will be facing the likes of Trevor Lawrence of Clemson. Brandon Sebastian at cornerback is the lone returning starter. Sebastian started seven games last season. The redshirt sophomore had two interceptions and was also second on the team with eight pass breakups.

Mike Palmer is someone the keep an eye on at safety. Palmer, a redshirt junior, played in 10 games in 2018, recording 23 tackles.

Tate Haynes, a redshirt sophomore, might be a good bet to start opposite Sebastian at the corner position. Haynes is a convert from the quarterback position and played in four games as a defensive back in 2018. He provides some good size in the secondary.

The defensive line will also be green in 2019. Along with Allen, Wyatt Ray ( 9 sacks) and defensive tackle Ray Smith graduated. The upside? Tanner Karafa is still around.

Karafa could be in for a huge season, as long as he gets some help up front. He’s coming off a junior campaign in which he had 47 tackles and 4 sacks, plus 8.5 tackles-for-loss.

While there is plenty of youth to go around on the line who could make an impact, a player to keep an eye on is Richard Yeargin. Yeargin is a graduate transfer from Clemson who hasn’t played a down since 2016. Yeargin suffered a neck injury in a car accident in the summer of 2017 and didn’t play the last two years.

At linebacker, Connor Strachan is gone, but Max Richardson and Isaiah McDuffie return. Richardson and McDuffie combined for 161 tackles, 6 sacks, and 14.5 tackles-for-loss in 2018 and should anchor what will be the strength of Boston College Eagles this season.

The Eagles open the season on August 31 when they play host to the Virginia Tech Hokies. Boston College defeated the Hokies 31-27 last November.