Stellar, Standard, & Subpar: Linebacker Nick DeNucci

The players have returned to campus and we inch closer to the start of the college football season. BC Bulletin will be previewing each player and projecting out their season. In these breakdowns, we discuss what a stellar, standard, and subpar season would look like for them. We are going in numerical order, today we preview linebacker Nick DeNucci.

DeNucci comes to Boston College as a highly regarded recruit out of Pope John XIII in Sparta, New Jersey. Rated the #1 linebacker in New Jersey and #14 overall in the state, he chose the Eagles over offers from some big offers including Maryland, Purdue, Pittsburgh, and Louisville. A tackling machine in high school (115 tackles his senior year), this middle linebacker came to Chestnut Hill in 2018.

His first season in 2018, he redshirted after playing in one game against Temple. He saw the field more often in 2019, appearing in six games for the Eagles, and finishing the year with four tackles. While Boston College may look strong with starting linebackers with Max Richardson, John Lamot, and Isaiah McDuffie there is still a role on this team for DeNucci in 2020. This is a position that had big injuries over the past few seasons with both Richardson and McDuffie missing significant time. Players like DeNucci, Joseph Sparacio, Hugh Davis and Paul Theobald could all see time this year, and are all talented in their own right.

And with two of the starters preparing to graduate, some of the younger players are going to need to start stepping up soon. Could this be the year for DeNucci?

Stellar

Something happens on the roster that pushes DeNucci into a starting role. He shines, making hit after hit and learning the speed of the college game quickly. Shows off some good speed and instinct and helps the defense improve over a tough 2019 season.

Standard

While he doesn't get to start, DeNucci gets valuable snaps throughout the season. Maybe there is time that a starter is dinged up and he gets in there and makes some plays. Also sees some time as a backup who gets on the field here and there. While not as integral as he would be in a "Stellar" season, DeNucci plays a valuable role and sets himself up to be a much bigger role in 2020.

Subpar

Not much for DeNucci to do on the field as the trio of starters play most of the season, and there isn't many snaps to go his way. Maybe plays a role on special teams.

What kind of season are you predicting for Nick DeNucci? Leave your comments below

Make sure to catch up and check out our other player profiles:

#29 DB Steve Lubischer
#28 LB John Lamot
#27 DB Josh DeBerry
#26 RB David Bailey
#24 RB Patrick Garwo
#23 RB Travis Levy
#20 DB Elijah Jones
#18 DB Mike Palmer
#17 WR Bryce Sebastian
#16 TE/DE Joey Luchetti
#15 TE Danny Dalton

#14 LB Max Richardson
#14 QB Sam Johnson IV
#11 WR CJ Lewis
#10 Daelen Menard

#10 CB Brandon Sebastian

#9 WR Kobay White
#8 DB Jahmin Muse
#7 QB Matt Valecce
#7 CB Tate Haynes

#6 QB Dennis Grosel
#5 QB Phil Jurkovec
#4 WR Zay Flowers
#3 CB Jason Maitre.

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top righthand corner of the page. Also be sure to like us on Facebook & Twitter:

Facebook- BostonCollegeSI

Twitter - @BostonCollegeSI and AJ Black at @AJBlack_BC.