Following Johnson a tall task at safety
‘Playing back here at safety is pretty fun for me, and that is what I like to do.’ — LUKAS DENIS BC junior from Everett
While former Boston College strong safety John Johnson awaits his summons to the NFL, a spirited competition to replace him took place during the Eagles spring football season.
Junior Lukas Denis, a 5-foot-11, 186-pound safety from Everett, focused his offseason energies at securing the position and a leadership role on defense.
“We are all trying to fill the void that is there right now because John had such a big impact on our team,” Denis said. “We are looking to improve our defense and help fill that spot.
“He had a sense of leadership and how to stay calm in tough times and how to go out there and make plays and just be yourself.”
Denis is in competition with sophomore Mehdi El Attrach and returning free safety Will Harris for the spot.
Denis will attempt to enhance his standing with the coaching staff in tomorrow’s Jay McGillis Memorial Spring Game (noon) at Alumni Stadium. Denis played in 11 games last year with seven tackles, an interception and four pass breakups.
“These are guys that are playing at a good level of ball right now and I’m very pleased,” said BC coach Steve Addazio following the Eagles’ final practice yesterday at Alumni Stadium.
“We are pretty athletic in the (defensive) backfield and we are pretty athletic as a team right now. Those guys are having a good spring and John was a really good player for us. But these guys are playing at a high level now and our secondary is going to be an outstanding unit this year.”
Former BC defensive coordinator Don Brown (Michigan) once described Johnson as “the central nervous system” of a unit that was ranked No. 1 in the nation in total defense in 2015.
Denis possesses some of the attributes that made Johnson one of the premier defensive backs in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“Lukas is a smart guy, athletic and he can run and (is) very coachable,” Addazio said. “At this stage John just had a little more experience but Lukas is very athletic.”
Denis came to BC from the perennial powerhouse program at Everett High, coached by John DiBiaso. Denis’ arrival coincided with the departure of cornerback Manny Asprilla, another Everett kid who left his mark on the program.
“This spring ball has really given us the chance to get back in the groove and playing back here at safety is pretty fun for me and that is what I like to do,” Denis said.
Most of the attention will be on the quarterback battle between redshirt junior Darius Wade and redshirt freshman Anthony Brown. Denis has been tested by both quarterbacks this spring and offers a unique perspective from eight yards behind the line of scrimmage.
“From back there I can see everything and it’s a read thing and it’s my job to capitalize on things I can take advantage of,” Denis said. “Those two guys both love to work and at the end of the day both of them makes us a better team.”