National Signing Day 2018: Recapping The Defensive Line

Last month BC had their national signing day. We have already covered the quarterbacks, offensive skill positions, offensive line, and linebackers. Today let’s look at the recruits BC has already signed for the upcoming class on the defensive line.

Kyiev Bennermon

6-3, 290

Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Spackenkill

Standout two-way player for Clinton Desouza at Spackenkill High School … New York’s top-ranked defensive tackle prospect according to 247Sports … rated the No. 22 prospect in the state of New York and the No. 114 defensive tackle nationally by 247Sports … 79 tackles as a senior, including 11.0 tackles-for-loss … finished his career with 179 total tackles and 17.0 TFLs … 13 sacks and 13 quarterback hurries over his prep career … also played tight end and averaged 17.4 yards per reception over his career, including two touchdowns … earned Journal All-Star honors as a junior after posting 55 tackles, four sacks, and two blocked kicks to help lead the Spartans to the Section 9 quarterfinals … also played basketball and was a member of the track and field team … team captain …

Ryan Betro

6-4, 295

Walpole, Mass./Lawrence Academy

Standout defensive tackle for head coach and former Boston College All-American Paul Zukauskas at Lawrence Academy … top-ranked defensive tackle and the fifth overall prospect in Massachusetts according to Rivals.com … No. 3 player in Massachusetts and the state’s top defensive tackle prospect according to 247Sports … ranked as the No. 54 defensive tackle nationally by 247Sports … one of three Lawrence Academy standouts to sign with Boston College … rated by ESPN as the No. 5 player in Massachusetts and the No. 83 defensive tackle in the nation … Independent School League All-Star … finished senior season with 44 tackles, 18 TFLs and six sacks … also forced one fumble, recovered one fumble and recorded two pass deflections … team captain …

Projected 2018 Returning Depth:

DT

Jaleel Berry (R-Fr.), Kevin Cohee (Sr.), Ray Smith (Sr.), TJ Raynam (R-Fr.), Adam Korutz (So.), Brandon Barlow (So.), Nate Emer (So), Taylor Hill (So.)

DE

Zach Allen (Sr.), Wyatt Ray (Sr.), Tanner Karafa (Jr.), Marcus Valdez (R-Fr.), Bryce Morais (So.)

Projected Two Deep:

Analysis: On the defensive tackle side of the ball, BC has some really good depth moving forward. Obviously the loss of Noa Merritt is pretty big, but Smith, Cohee and one of the kids should be able to fill in. There are a lot of big men to fill in, it’s hard to say who is going to step up at this point.

Honestly I am worried about the depth on the edge. Zach Allen and Ray are going to be some of the best ends in the conference, but after that there really isn’t any experience depth. I find it interesting as well, with four DE’s on the roster at the moment, that BC didn’t take a single DE to build depth. Recently, I saw the staff offer a DE out of NJ for a possible late recruit. But even if he does make it here the depth is troubling. Last year, Landry missed a big part of the season, but we were able to mask that with Ray. Could BC slide Davon Jones over to end if the need is there? Karafa seems like the next man up, seeing some game time this year. What could he provide. Loads of questions on the front line after the starters.