Boston College Lands Two on Preseason All-ACC Team

Read Time:2 Minute, 23 Second

We are now just days away from the start of summer camp for the Boston College football team. A program that is looking to rebound from a 3-9 season one year ago. The Atlantic Coast Conference recently named their preseason team and two members of this year’s Eagles team have made that group. On offense, guard Christian Mahogany has been named for the second straight year. From the defensive side, defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku made the team. Both of these players will become important pieces for BC if this year ends up being a good one.

Mahogany missed all of the 2022 season because of an injury. In 2021, he was named to the All-ACC second team. He has started 22 games in his Boston College career, His return should be a big boost to an offensive line that struggled last year both running the ball and protecting the quarterback. During the 2021 season, Mahogany started 11 games totaling 682 snaps. He was a member of that offensive line from week two until week 10 playing every snap the offense had. His presence on the line was a big plus to a running game that had games in which they ran for over 200 yards. In 2022, the running game never got off the ground with their top ball carrier Pat Garwo rushing for only 402 yards on 132 attempts for an average of three yards a carry. He did have three rushing touchdowns but only averaged 33.5 yards a game. Numbers that will need to improve if the Eagles are going to have any sort of balanced offensive attack. At 6-3 and 322 pounds, Mahogany also finds himself on the Outland Trophy watch list.

Donovan Ezeiruaku is a 6-2 251 lb junior who played in all 12 games for BC last season. He had 61 tackles (34 unassisted, 27 assists), forced three fumbles, and had 14.5 tackles for losses which totaled 83 yards in losses. He was good at getting to the quarterback last season, with 8.5 sacks for 62 yards in losses. Both numbers are the most by a member of the Eagles defense since 2018. He finished last season ranked fourth in both categories in the league. Ezeiruaku was a second-team All-ACC pick. In two seasons on the Eagles defense, Donovan has recorded 11.5 sacks. This is a unit that will also have to show improvement from a year ago. In 2022 the defense allowed 30+ points on seven occasions with only one win to show for it. That happened on October 1 when they defeated Louisville 34-33. The defensive numbers have a chance of improving if help from their offensive teammates takes place.

These preseason teams were voted on by 176 media-credentialed members, who cast their ballots at last month’s ACC kickoff.