Boston College football in serious rebuilding mode in 2020
Defense looks to improve immediately
On the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles needed to address their lack of overall efficiency. They feel they have begun the process of a complete rebuild on defense with the hiring of former Cincinnati Bengals linebackers coach Tem Lukabu as the defensive coordinator. He served with coach Jeff Hafley as the defensive quality coach for the San Francisco 49ers for two seasons (2016-17).
Hafley has a special relationship with these coaches especially with Lukaba, who also has an impressive resume of coaching in college and the NFL.
The Eagles will need to get as much help as they can to ensure they build a sustainable future on the defensive side of the ball. Boston College returns seven starters from last year’s team that was ranked 101st in the nation (12th in the ACC) in points allowed per game (32.2) and 125th in the nation (last in the ACC) in total yards allowed per game (478.9). There will be much pressure of the Eagles to develop a defense that seen at-least some significant improvement.
There are expected to be some significant changes along the defensive line as the Eagles only accounted for 19 sacks this past season. The only defensive lineman guaranteed to return as a starter is nose tackle TJ Rayam, who played in all 13 games this season with 12 starts. Rayam accounted for 41 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.
The Eagles might rely on Bryce Morais to make the start at defensive end after playing in all 13 games this past season. They did receive a huge boost during the offseason with incoming Buffalo grad transfer in defensive tackle Chibueze Onwuka. Last season, he started 13 games for the Bulls as he accounted for eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as he was selected as a third-team All-MAC.
Expect some competition for the final defensive end position as Brandon Barlow and Marcus Valdez will be competing for the No. 1 spot. Barlow did start 12 games this past season for the Eagles.
The Eagles do return a group of experienced linebackers from this past season. Boston College acknowledges they will need to be more efficient in stopping the run as they were ranked 100th in the nation (11th in the ACC) in rushing yards allowed per game (193.2).
Outside linebacker Max Richardson returns for his final season for Boston College after a long rich history of playing 38 games with 26 starts for the Eagles. Last season, he accounted for a team-high in total tackles (107), solo tackles (72) and tackles for loss (14). John Lamot returns as the starting middle linebacker after accounting for 77 total tackles (second on team) and 47 solo tackles.
Isaiah McDuffie returns after only playing four games due to an injury. He will look to make the same impact in 2020 as he did in 2018 where he contributed in the pass rush, rush defense and coverage schemes.
Boston College only returns two secondary starters from last season’s defense that was ranked 122nd in the nation (last in the ACC) in passing yards allowed per game (285.5). The defense overall allowed a completion percentage of 65 percent from opposing passing offense this past season.
Mike Palmer returns after starting 11 games this past season as he accounted for 76 total tackles (third on team) and 52 solo tackles (second on team). Junior cornerback Brandon Sebastian returns after starting all 13 games this past season after leading the team with pass deflections with nine. Sophomore Jason Maitre looks to make his first full-season start at the cornerback after accounting for 34 total tackles and six pass deflections last season. Junior Jahmin Muse played 13 games this past season with one start as the Eagles will look to start him at strong safety.