Cheevers keeps BC ‘D’ on the ball
Hamp Cheevers has developed into a do-it-all cover corner in the Boston College secondary.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound junior from Trenton, Fla., leads the ACC and is tied for second in the nation with five interceptions, one behind Charlotte’s Jowan Foggie.
Cheevers’ lockdown capabilities have him ranked second in the ACC and 11th nationally with 12 passes defended, an exceptional number for a guy routinely situated across the line from the opponent’s best pass catcher.
“He’s a pretty athletic slippery guy,” BC coach Steve Addazio said. “Hamp, since he’s been here when he came in as a freshman has had a knack to make plays.
“He’s just very nimble, he’s very what I would call supple and he’s hard to get a clean shot on. He’s an exceptional athlete.”
Cheevers and his secondary mates will face another daunting challenge when the No. 24 Eagles (6-2, 3-1) engage Virginia Tech (4-3, 3-1) in an ACC crossover game Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.
Hokies quarterback Ryan Willis, who replaced injured starter Josh Jackson on Sept. 22, has completed 96-of-162 passes for 1,258 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Cheevers will likely be paired with Tech split end Damon Hazelton, a 6-2, 220pound speedster who leads the Hokies with 35 catches for 596 yards and six touchdowns.
“He is a very versatile receiver, he makes plays on the ball in the air,” said Cheevers.
Cheevers is top bird among the biggest collection of ball hawks in the ACC. The Eagles lead the conference with 13 interceptions including a pair in the third quarter of their win win over Miami last Friday.
Cheevers picked off Miami quarterback Malik Rosier on the Hurricanes’ 37 and returned it to the 14. BC went up 20-14 on a Colton Lichtenberg 23-yard field goal. Cornerback Taj-Amir Torres picked off Rosier on the Miami 20 and returned it to the 14. Tailback AJ Dillon scored on the next play to give BC a 14-point lead with 6:26 to play in the quarter.
“Every practice we are practicing trying to get the ball back for our offense,” said Cheevers. “Getting turnovers is one of our goals and we are pretty much No. 1 at the top.
“Anytime the ball is in the air, as a defender, as a DB, you have to make a play because we are guiding the receiver. You try to make a play on the ball in the air no matter what.”
Cheevers can be aggressive on the ball because he has three outstanding safeties, seniors Will Harris and Lukas Denis and redshirt sophomore Mike Palmer, watching his back.
Denis was tied for second nationally with seven interceptions last season. His lone interception this season was returned for a touchdown in the opener against UMass.
“That is definitely a big help with Will and Luke and Mike Palmer,” Cheevers said. “All three of them are great, they are detailed in and they know they can do their job and I have confidence in them.”