Boston College Eagles: Deep, experienced secondary ready for their close-up
Often lost in the shuffle of ACC, the Boston College Eagles are looking to get over the seven-win hump in 2021. A difference between seven wins and nine or ten wins could very well come down to how well the defense improves this season.
Focus in recent years has often been placed on the individual talent on the defensive line and linebacker positions. In 2021, poised for a big season, it’s time for the secondary to rise to the occasion.
This deep, experienced group is more than ready to make waves. The unit, despite battling injuries and inconsistency in 2020, actually made a nice jump from the previous season.
Boston College Eagles secondary making strides
As a whole, Boston College’s defense allowed 28.4 points per game last season. The number skewed higher thanks to allowing 115 points over their last three games in 2020. Not too surprising, given the injuries that had piled up.
The Eagles allowed 245.5 passing yards per game, forty yards less on average than the 2019 season. They were also better in opponent completion percentage, going from 65.1 percent allowed in ’19 to 61.7% in the ’20 season.
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One thing that definitely needs to happen is a return to 2018 form, where the Boston College defense, led by the secondary, had a nose for the football.
While the passing yards allowed were similar to the ’18 season, interceptions were not. Boston College had only nine last season, dropping down from 10 in 2019 and a far cry from the 18 they had in that 2018 season.
Support in the run game, with new starters stepping up in the Boston College linebacker unit, will be needed from the crew in the secondary. But it will be in locking down opponents’ passing ability in which the secondary will truly shine.
Three shifts deep in Boston College Eagles secondary
It’s not too often one sees complete line changes on a football field. One might swap sets of receivers or rotate groups of defensive lineman but it’s a rare sight in the secondary.
Not saying Boston College will do that but the depth is certainly there.
Twelve players at minimum, even if the team stays at full health, could see adequate playing time in the Boston College secondary this season. Nine of these players range from being a junior to a graduate player.
The top of the list belongs to Brandon Sebastian and Josh DeBerry. Sebastian is the wise veteran of the group. He led the team with 10 pass break-ups in 2020 and also added to the career highlight reel with a 97-yard fumble return for a score. He has played in 36 career games, accumulating 96 tackles and snagging four interceptions.
DeBerry is coming off a season in which he was named to the All-ACC honorable mention team. DeBerry had 44 tackles, two forced fumbles, and one interception.
These two are almost guaranteed to be starters, with any number of players battling to join them.
Deon Jones and Jahmin Muse are both graduate students who played last season. Jones finished with 42 tackles and two fumble recoveries while Muse led the team with three picks.
Two transfers are going to figure heavily in the mix, especially in a 4-2-5 defense. The one with the most upside is Jaiden Lars-Woodbey, who arrives from Florida State. He made the All-ACC Freshman first team in 2019.
The other is JT Thompson II, who comes over from Southern Illinois.
Experience is also brought to the table from Jason Maitre, who had six starts in 2020, and Mike Palmer. Palmer, who had 76 tackles in 2019, is coming back from a leg injury but has 31 career games and three interceptions under his belt.
Not to be outdone by the veterans, CJ Burton and Shawn Asbury II are two players who could see time, along with redshirt sophomore Jalen Williams.
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That’s a lot of names to go around. Faith that these veterans can provide the type of leadership this defense needs is running high. Collectively, as long as the unit is on the same page, fans are going to be treated to a good time when this secondary is cooking. And with all this on-field experience, the feasts could be legendary.