BC Football Position Preview: Linebackers

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PERSONNEL

Returners: Connor Strachan (Gr.), Max Richardson (RSo.), Davon Jones (RJr.), John Lamot (RSo.), Curt Bletzer (RSo.), Paul Theobald Jr. (RFr.), Thomas Hovsepian (RFr.), Isaiah Miranda (RSo.), Jimmy Martin (RJr.) Kevin Bletzer (Gr.), Doug Rodier(RSo.), Isaiah McDuffie (So.), Ryan Whittelsey (RFr.), Reggie Terry Jr. (RFr.)
Newcomers: Nick DeNucci (Fr.), Joe Sparacio (Fr.), Hugh Davis (Fr.), Vinny DePalma (Fr.), Evan Stewart (Fr.)

Boston College’s group of linebackers is charged with the task of replacing the team’s leading tackler Ty Schwab, who totaled 107, from last season. Aside from Schwab, the Eagles’ linebackers constantly battled injuries throughout 2017. Strachan, who was awarded a medical redshirt after needing knee surgery two games into the season, and Richardson both saw their seasons end before the calendar flipped to October. Each has returned healthy and ready for this season. Strachan, a middle linebacker, is a key leader on the field and in the locker room. He has appeared in 39 career games and totaled 176 tackles, including 26 TFLs and six sacks.

Richardson, an outside linebacker, also suffered a season-ending knee injury last September. He posted 23 tackles, seven in each of his last seven games. Lamot emerged from the BC depth chart to play a major role with Strachan and Richardson going down. With the ability to play inside and outside linebacker, he totaled 63 tackles, all in his last eight games of the season.

BY THE NUMBERS

#13 Strachan, Connor: 39 career games and 176 career tackles
#14 Richardson, Max: 23 tackles, 0.5 sacks
#16 Jones, Davon: 23 tackles, 2.0 TFLs
#28 Lamot, John: 63 tackles, 6.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, 1 interception
#43 Miranda, Isaiah: 2 tackles
#46 Martin, Jimmy: 3 tackles
#49 Bletzer, Kevin: 35 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 4 PBUs, 2 FR, 1 FF
#55 McDuffie, Isaiah: 11 tackles

Jones joined the linebacker group midway through last season out of necessity due to the mounting injuries. He was credited with 23 tackles and forced one fumble. Jones will also be used in offensive packages for the Eagles at running back. He rushed for 361 yards as a freshman in 2016 and received four carries last year. Kevin Bletzer also stepped into a larger role last season. He started nine games and tallied 35 tackles, 6.5 TFLs and recovered two fumbles.

McDuffie and Miranda add additional depth to the position with game-experience. McDuffie appeared in all 13 games last season and recorded 11 tackles. The Buffalo native has a ton of potential and could vie for a starting assignment at strongside linebacker. Miranda, a local product from BC High, made his collegiate debut in the Eagles’ win at Virginia in late October with a pair of tackles and finished the year by playing in three games.

QUICK BLITZ

DeNucci rated as the No. 1 inside linebacker in New Jersey and No. 25 nationally by 247Sports… Curt Bletzer redshirted in 2016, did not see game action last year and has been preparing with the second team defense and special teams this preseason… Sparacio enrolled at BC for the 2018 spring semester and competed in spring practice after rating as the No. 40 inside linebacker nationally by ESPN.com… Theobald redshirted last season and looks prepared to get on to the field this season… Hovsepian redshirted last season and will provide added depth at the position as well as a potential long snapper… Martin, BC’s primary long snapper, has played in 21 games and totaled seven career tackles… Rodier has yet to see the field in two seasons, but the Lawrence Academy (Mass.) product is competing for plays on defense and special teams… Davis was the No. 1 inside linebacker prospect in Indiana according to Rivals… DePalma, another early enrollee last semester, was the top-ranked inside linebacker out of New Jersey according to ESPN.com and is in contention to appear on the depth chart as a true freshman… Stewart, a top safety prospect while at St. Joseph’s Regional (N.J.), earned All-State as a senior… Whittelsey redshirted last year after setting single-season tackles (148) and sacks (11) records at Green Hope (N.C.) High School… Terry redshirted last season and arrived at BC from Bridgton Academy after playing at Florence (Ariz.) High School.

QUOTES FROM THE LINEBACKERS

“Last year, coming in changing positions, I was trying to get the scheme down. Now that I’ve got the scheme down, I’m more so trying to fine tune the techniques here and there and helping the young guys with the techniques.” – Lamot

“Connor is just a great teammate, a great friend. Us both being on crutches last year was kind of a bonding experience. It helped our team unity, our linebacker unity, coming back on to the field with each other.” – Richardson

“Guys that are experienced are always going to help the room. With the linebacker corps, we need experience and those guys that have been there in those situations to help the young guys learn. I think we have a lot of experience between Connor and Max.” – Lamot

“I think it creates a good, competitive atmosphere where a lot of guys are making plays or are in position to make plays so it kind of elevates everyone else. If Lukas [Denis] gets a pick, I’m going for one or you see Wyatt [Ray] or Zach [Allen] come off the edge and get a sack, you’re trying to get one too. With all these guys making plays, it just brings everyone else up. The standard for what’s acceptable on defense now is higher.” – Strachan

“This past offseason, I’ve actually leaned down a little bit. I’m playing a little bit more Mike and Will rather than just Mike so I wanted to be a little more quick, a little more versatile and I think it has really helped me going into camp.” – Richardson