Sports

Pieces in Place for BC to Take Next Step

CHESTNUT HILL — The expectations have matured along with the players on the Boston College football roster. The guys who wear the pads believe their time is now and fans are eager to see this collection of talent deliver in the biggest games. 

"We definitely feel we have something special this year," said Lukas Denis, a senior defensive back who starred at Everett High School. "We're looking forward to taking the next step as a whole team. We're really looking to diving into the 10, 11, 12 wins. I think we've moved past the seven win-era and I think that's something that we've all come together on and we're just ready to take the next step. We have a great group, as a whole, collectively." 

When was the last time you heard a quote like that from The Heights? 

Denis, along with senior Will Harris, comprise one of the top safety tandems in the nation. Their capacity to disrupt games from the defensive backfield has been overlooked while much of the preseason focus has centered on the Eagles offense. 

A.J. Dillon was recently voted the ACC Preseason Player of the Year, an honor that reflects Dillon's astonishing freshman year, when he rushed for 1,589 yards and 14 touchdowns.  The attention has changed his realities, but not his priorities. 

"When it comes down to this game, I don't really try to focus much on individual things," said Dillon. "So I guess the biggest piece that I could take away from it being life-changing was definitely the fact that I'm called on to be a leader now. We have freshmen that just came in. We have two freshmen backs right now. They're in the spot I was last year. Head spinning around in camp after each play is called. I'm trying to be proactive and teach them."

They'll be learning from a player who embodies the selflessness and work ethic that defines this year's unit, a group that has grown together both physically and mentally. 

"It's amazing having him because it takes a lot of pressure off a lot of people," said quarterback Anthony Brown when asked about Dillon. "When I know I can hand the ball off, we can easily get from five to 70 or 80 yards, that takes a lot of pressure off of me, that takes a lot of pressure off the coaches. It affects the throw game. It helps us 10 times more. If I fake a handoff to him, everybody is coming down."

Brown's story is intriguing as well, as the second-year starter returns from an ACL tear suffered in a November loss to North Carolina State. In the months since, his mental engagement increased and his greater understanding of offensive coordinator Scot Loefler's scheme has prepared him to take the next step and be ready to go when he experiences full contact for the first time in the season opener. 

Additionally, Brown benefitted from a personal meeting with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, whose relationship with Loefler dates back to their time spent together at the University of Michigan. Brady visited the BC facility and shared some advice with Brown about rehabbing from an ACL tear, something Brady experienced ten years ago. 

"Worry about the things you can control because if you can't control anything that's going on inside of your knee, why worry about it?," said Brown of Brady's advice. "The more you worry about that, the less focus you are having on helping your team get better. That was really, really motivational."

Brown showed an ability to throw the ball downfield while displaying an escapability that's invaluable at the collegiate level. The 6'2" redshirt sophomore is concentrating on improving his accuracy, working with a receiving corps led by Jeff Smith, Kobay White and Michael Walker and a tight end group featuring Tommy Sweeney, who caught 36 passes for 512 yards and four touchdowns in 2017. 

For the Eagles to be most effective, the passing game will play second fiddle to a ground attack that will rely on Dillon's ability to exploit his power and speed behind an experienced offensive line. Center Jon Baker returns for a fifth year after missing his senior season with a knee injury. He joins a group that returns every player that started in the Pinstripe Bowl against Iowa. Chris Lindstrom (6'4", 310), Sam Schmal (6'7", 315), Aaron Monteiro (6'7", 320) and John Phillips (6'6", 310) are a year better and a year stronger, and each will be pushed by an impressive group of underclassmen, including Lindstrom's younger brother, Alec (6'4", 280). 

Dillon's relationship with the line is unique. When he started playing football, Dillon was an offensive tackle, so he feels a kindred connection with the boys up front. 

"They're great guys, great individuals," said Dillon. "We joke around a lot. I always go over there, see them after practice. They call me 'The Horse.' Actually before the spring game, I didn't play, but they brought me sugar cubes and carrots. We have a bunch of little jokes like that. When I have extra donuts, I'd bring them over and feed them."

“it’s great to be out there to block for him and let him succeed as best he can,” said Baker. “Looks good for us, looks good for him, looks good for the team. You see him run out there, he’s just so big and fast, he looks like a horse. One of the guys said that one day and the name kind of stuck.”

“He makes you want to go that extra mile,” said Chris Lindstrom. “When you have a guy, you want to finish him because you never know what A.J.’s going to be able to do behind you. That confidence that he has in us and we in him is something we build on as a team.”

BC opens the year against UMass at Alumni Stadium on September 1, followed by another home game against Holy Cross on September 8.  The Eagles travel to Wake Forest and Purdue in Weeks 3 and 4 and wins in those games would set the tone for what could be a special season in Chestnut Hill.