McDuffie a top dog
BC LB earns respect
Boston College sophomore linebacker Isaiah McDuffie was bestowed a descriptive moniker for his ability to hunt down players in the opposing backfield.
“We call him ‘The Bloodhound’ because he’s fast and he’s going to get somebody,” All-ACC defensive end Zach Allen said. “His play has been huge for us, and he really gives us a nice balance in coverage and on the run.
“He has that speed where he can run with anyone, so he’s going to be a very good player for BC, and he is a very good player now.”
That’s high praise coming from Allen, a dominant defensive presence who likely will receive AllAmerica honors and be a first-round pick in the NFL draft.
McDuffie, a 6-foot-2, 220pound Buffalo native, will be on the lookout for Florida State tailback Cam Akers and quarterback Deondre Francois when the Seminoles (4-6, 2-5) host the No. 22 Eagles (7-3, 4-2) on Saturday.
“I just play in the system and do my job and make the plays that come to me because we have really good team and we all feed off of each other,” McDuffie said.
“I feel we play together and play complementary. I pretty much do a little bit of everything, I play in the box or play off the box and check receivers and one-onone coverage.”
McDuffie has posted phenomenal numbers in the second half of the season, especially in three straight ACC wins against Louisville, Miami and Virginia Tech.
In his first career start at North Carolina State on Oct. 6, McDuffie led the defense with a career- and team-high 13 tackles. The following week against Louisville, McDuffie registered a teamhigh eight tackles with a sack and a pass breakup.
McDuffie led the team with 12 tackles against the Hurricanes and matched his career best with 13 at Virginia Tech. He had eight tackles and a sack in last Saturday’s 27-7 loss to No. 2 Clemson.
In 10 games, McDuffie in second on the team with 71 tackles. He’s added 5.5 tackles for losses, 3.5 sacks and two pass breakups.
“I’m just put in a good situation with the coaching and everything, and they said I need to step up,” McDuffie said. “I felt like I have to watch extra film and put the extra work in, and once I did that, it felt like it just came to me.
“Don’t overthink stuff, just fill in the role that I have and do my part so we can get wins.”
McDuffie grew up in a football culture, and the early lessons transformed him into a player worthy of a Power Five conference. He was a running back and linebacker for his coach and father, Stephenson McDuffie, at Bennett High in Buffalo.
“I was always around football,” McDuffie said.