Better Know an Eagle 2017: #21 Defensive Back Lukas Denis

Name: Lukas Denis

Position: Defensive Back

Number: 21

Year: Junior

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 186

Hometown: Everett, Massachusetts

High School: Everett

2016 Stats: Denis played in 11 games last year at cornerback, and made his first career start against Florida State. He ended with 7 tackles and 5 passes defended, as well as an interception (which clinched the Wake Forest game and secured bowl eligibility for the Eagles).

Projections: Denis has some of the fastest feet and best technique in the BC secondary, and I really has the potential to break out as a ballhawk this year. He played mostly at CB last year, but he mainly competed with Mehdi El Attrach for the other safety spot next to Will Harris in the Spring. Assuming he wins the starting job (which I think he will), Denis will probably probably play the center fielder role for the Eagles. Harris has 3 inches and nearly 20 lbs on Denis and lays the wood regularly, so defensive coordinator Jim Reid will probably play him in more of a run support role.

Over/Under: Denis is really one of the players I expect to break out this year, so: 4 interceptions, 10 passes defended.

How’d He Get Here: Denis was a 3-star recruited by former DC Don Brown and former defensive line coach Ben Albert. A local kid, he chose BC over other Massachusetts schools Holy Cross and UMass.

Denis didn’t do the whole HUDL thing, but he did upload his senior highlights to Youtube, so check that out below.

Quotables from ‘Daz (and other coaches!):

“In the back end, Lukas Denis and Mehdi El Attrach have been getting a lot of work next to Will Harris at safety. Very, very talented. I think our back end is going to be really good. Kamrin Moore was out this spring, so coming back from an injury, but he's good. He's actually cleared now, and we've got experience back there, and I think this is a really good group.” - Steve Addazio on the secondary this spring

"Lukas Denis has done a really good job stepping in for John. Lukas is a really good athlete. Michael Palmer is a young guy who really has come on strong, and he's an intelligent guy. Mehdi El Attrach is a guy who played for us a little bit last year and has really raised his game, as well. I think those three guys will fill that void for us." - DB coach Anthony Campanile on replacing John Johnson