Area of Focus For 2019: BC's Secondary Is Going To Have To Quickly Gel

A look at a young but talented group.

With Boston College and Virginia Tech battling on the Heights in less than two weeks away, it's time to look at another major key going into the season. The secondary has been a major question that could be a major factor heading into the upcoming season.

Last season Boston College had three players in the secondary graduate, with Will Harris, Lukas Denis and Taj Amir Torres heading to the NFL. On top of that BC made a change in defensive coordinator moving Bill Sheridan to the DC role, and Anthony Campanile left for Michigan and was replaced by Eric Lewis. While there are changes in coaching personnel on the defensive side of the ball, will there be any changes in how this position is coached or prepares? 

Brandon Sebastian, just a sophomore will be the lone returning player heading into the 2019 season. Last season he showed some growing pains to start the season, but by the end of the year he looked like he could be a good to great cornerback with more seasoning. (He did have quite a few big moments, and I highlighted some of them on WePlayed) But who is around him?

Watching the scrimmage at BC this weekend it looks like redshirt freshman Tate Haynes, son of NFL Hall of Famer Mike Haynes, will be the other cornerback. Addazio talked about him at Media Day, as another six foot corner who can run a sub 4.5 40. He isn't completely new to playing, he saw some time on the field last year. But like Sebastian last year, he probably will hit some bumps to start the year. Elijah Jones, who had a great scrimmage could be another cornerback who plays nickel or subs in for different packages.  

In terms of safeties, Mike Palmer, and veteran Mehdi El-Attrach look to be the starters. Palmer, saw a good amount of time playing last year, so I wouldn't consider him completely new, but he hasn't played a whole season. El-Attrach has been around the program for a while now, so he knows the system. Jahmin Muse was another young player to watch in the secondary this year. 

Clearly the biggest question is communication, something a young group is going to have to learn and quick. On Saturday, cornerback Brandon Sebastian spoke on this:

The secondary looked solid on Saturday, with no major breakdowns, which has to be a good sign going into this season. They are certainly talented, and BC has built a reputation and culture for creating good defensive back units. But they will be tested early, Virginia Tech has a good group of wide receivers. We will see how this group is prepared on August 31st.