Backfield in motion with next stop in NFL
Competing at a high level in the Boston College secondary against quality ACC opponents gets a player noticed by the NFL.
That reality is not lost on senior safeties Lukas Denis and Will Harris, both of whom bring leadership, speed and toughness to the Eagles’ defensive backfield.
“Every play you have to push yourself to the limit, there are no plays off,” said Denis, who came to The Heights from powerhouse Everett High School.
“Give it your all for those four to six seconds and you’ll be good.”
Denis and Harris learned how to conduct themselves on the field from a succession of quality athletes that went on to become high NFL draft picks.
The role model in 2015 was free safety Justin Simmons, a ball-hawking center fielder who was taken in the third round by the Broncos.
Strong safety John Johnson filled the void in 2016 and brought the rest of the secondary up to his standards. Johnson, whom former BC defensive coordinator Don Brown labeled the “central nervous system” of the defense, was taken in the third round by the Rams.
Last season, a pair of cover corners, Kamrin Moore and Isaac Yiadom, were the bookends on the secondary and were scooped up in last April’s draft. Yiadom went to the Broncos in the third round while Moore was taken by the Saints in the sixth round.
“Those guys definitely set the bar,” said Harris. “They pretty much set a culture in our locker room, especially in our DB group.
“Anything below that standard for us is unacceptable. We’ve been trying to uphold from that and the rest will take care of itself.”
Denis and Harris watched each other’s back over 13 starts last season. Denis led the team with seven interceptions, 10 breakups and tied Harris for third with 83 tackles.
Weather permitting
While the construction workers in yellow hardhats labored under the torrential rain that visited Chestnut Hill yesterday morning, the lads in gold helmets conducted Day 2 of training camp in dry and warm conditions.
BC coach Steve Addazio managed his 21⁄2-hour seminar on schedule inside the recently opened $52.6 million Fish Field House adjacent to Alumni Stadium.
In the past, Addazio would have either practiced in the downpour or adjusted his schedule around the flash flood warnings. The players were already excited about the new facility and the bad stuff going on outside gave them a greater appreciation.
“We would have been out there,” said Harris. “Man, I love this place. Just love it.”
Total package
BC tight end Tommy Sweeney can engage linebackers on running plays and bowl over safeties on pass plays.
The 6-foot-5, 255-pound senior from Ramsey, N.J., will be involved in both aspects of the Eagles offense on Sept. 1.
Sweeney said blocking for tailback AJ Dillon is a pleasure because he always sees a return on his investment in the play. He will also be quarterback Anthony Brown’s primary target over the middle. Sweeney led BC in catches (36), yards (512), average (14.2) and four receiving touchdowns last season.