Ray stands in line for BC opportunity
Wyatt Ray put in the work, took direction from the coaches and awaited his opportunity to be an impact player on the Boston College defense.
The 6-foot-3, 255-pound senior defensive end from Boca Raton, Fla., has arrived at his destination, which has become the opposing team’s backfield in recent games.
After four games, Ray leads the Eagles with 5.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for a loss and is tied for third with 18 tackles.
Ray will have an opportunity to bolster his numbers and advance the cause when BC (3-1) hosts Temple (2-2) on Saturday.
“I mainly just focus on what I do whenever I get the chance to step on the field,” said Ray. “I’m just doing what I have to do to ultimately make the team better, help my teammates out and help win games.
“I focus on doing my job and going out and playing to the best of my abilities.”
Ray learned the techniques of a cagy edge rusher playing behind and observing Harold Landry, who led the nation and set the BC single-season record of 16.5 sacks in 2016.
“Harold was my dude and he was my host on my official visit when I was a freshman,” said Ray.
Despite heavy NFL interest after his junior season, Landry returned for his senior year, delaying Ray’s elevation to the starting job. Landry played the first nine games and registered 8.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks before an ankle injury ended his season. Ray started the final four games and completed the campaign with 39 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
“I was implemented into the rotation and I had a good feel for the game and the speed of the game before those four games came around,” said Ray.
“When those four games did come around I think my prep and experience from those prior games got me ready, so I was able to step in and fill that role.”
While Ray was locking down the starting job in training camp his teammate on the opposite flank, senior Zach Allen, was receiving national recognition.
Allen was a preseason All-American and an AllACC selection while prominently featured on watch lists for several awards.
Ray emerged from under those two huge shadows in wins over UMass and Holy Cross and drew league-wide attention for his work in BC’s win over Wake Forest.
He recorded seven tackles with a school-record four sacks and was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week. Ray, Allen and tackles Tanner Karafa and Ray Smith make up one of the top defensive fronts in the conference.
“We all try to make ourselves better every day going out competing and do whatever we can do to make each other better,” said Ray. “Whether it is criticism or going over things in the locker room or after practice watching film together we all do a good job working together and there is good chemistry there.”
After an ugly loss to Purdue, Ray and the Eagles hope to bounce back against Temple, which is coming off big wins over Maryland and Tulsa.
“We are all just going back to work,” Ray said, “and getting ready for Saturday.”