Previewing Boston College Football's 2026 Position Groups: Defensive Backs

When Boston College ended its season with a 2-10 record, one of the bleakest campaigns in program history, third-year coach Bill O’Brien knew the Eagles needed a makeover.

O’Brien reshuffled roughly a third of his position coaches, while nearly every projected starter on both sides of the ball is a newcomer.

But the defensive backs are one of the exceptions.

BC enters the season with a mix of returning production and promising newcomers, giving the secondary a chance to become one of the more stable position groups on the roster. At the center of it all is safety KP Price, the Eagles’ leading tackler in 2025 and one of their most experienced defensive players.

Here is a closer look at the position group heading into the 2026 season:

At a Glance

Price started all 12 games for the Eagles last season, including three at linebacker, and finished with 94 tackles, three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery. His production earned him Second-Team All-ACC honors.

At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Price enters his final season on the Heights as the veteran leader of a defense undergoing significant change.

“Me coming back, this is the place,” Price said in June. “This is the place I belong. I was called to it. I rely much on my faith, [and] making my decision to come back, it was really easy.”

Price will be joined by safety Carter Davis, giving the Eagles another experienced presence in the back end. Sophomore Marcus Upton is also pushing for a larger role after appearing in nine games last season as a reserve safety and special teams contributor. He finished with 17 tackles, including one TFL.

Upton has continued to make his case during fall camp. During Day 3, he recorded multiple pass breakups and TFLs before making the only interception of the day.

“He brings a lot of athleticism," defensive coordinator Ted Roof said. "He anticipates and he’s used to playing with guys and being able to talk, and he’s playing well right now."

The bigger question comes at cornerback. Syair Torrence is returning after missing most of last season, while Max Tucker’s status became a concern after he suffered an injury during practice on Aug. 12.

He was back at practice on Thursday in a no-contact jersey, so BC avoided something far more serious there.

Torrence, meanwhile, provides a potential boost to a position that struggled without him. In his two starts last season, he recorded four tackles and three pass breakups, while BC allowed just 383 passing yards combined in those games — an average of 191.5 yards per game.

After Torrence's absence, opposing quarterbacks frequently found success through the air, with the majority of BC's remaining opponents surpassing 300 passing yards. His return could give the Eagles a much-needed experienced option on the outside.

TJ Green and veteran Isaiah Farris are among the other defensive backs competing for roles, particularly as BC works to establish its cornerback rotation.

The secondary also has to replace two significant contributors from the 2025 campaign.

Safety Omar Thornton transferred to Miami after starting 11 of BC’s 12 games. The 5-foot-11, 201-pound junior finished with 82 tackles and earned All-ACC Honorable Mention honors, establishing himself as one of the Eagles’ most reliable defensive players. His departure leaves Price and the rest of the safety room with a substantial amount of production to replace, particularly in run support and in coverage over the top.

BC also lost cornerback Amari Jackson, who transferred to Maryland after appearing in 32 games and making 28 starts during his Eagles career. Jackson played in six games with four starts last season, recording seven tackles and four pass breakups.

Replacing that much starting experience will be a challenge, but BC has several players looking to fill the void.

Safety Jordan Rodriguez has emerged as one of the more intriguing newcomers during fall camp. He has held his own against older players in both team drills and one-on-ones, showing the confidence and physicality that have caught the coaching staff’s attention.

Rodriguez may have to wait for an expanded role with Price, Davis, and Upton already competing for snaps at safety, but his emergence gives BC another option in a secondary that needs both depth and versatility.

The Eagles may not have the same proven depth they had a year ago, but the combination of Price’s leadership, Torrence’s return, and a group of young players pushing for bigger roles gives BC reason for optimism. The question is whether that optimism can translate into consistency, particularly at cornerback, against an ACC schedule that will test the Eagles’ rebuilt defense.

Projected Early-Season Depth Chart

Strong Safety

1. KP Price
2. Kameron Howard
3. Rae Sykes Jr.

Free Safety

1. Carter Davis
2. Marcus Upton
3. Charlie Comella

Corners

1. Max Tucker / Syair Torrence
2. Ashton Cunningham / Isaiah Farris
3. Njita Sinkala / Michael Mankaka
4. Marcelous Townsend / Jordan Rodriguez

Nickel

1. TJ Green
2. Cameron Martinez
3. Chandler Jordan

2026 Boston College Defensive Backs

Corners

Max Tucker – Senior, 5-11, 190

Played in all 12 games last year with five starts at cornerback, totaling 25 tackles, two pass breakups, and one interception. Intercepted QB Cade Klubnik in the third quarter against Clemson (10/11) for his third career pick. Previously started 12 games as a sophomore, recording 30 tackles, two interceptions, and two pass breakups.

Isaiah Farris – Redshirt Senior, 5-11, 175

Appeared in all 12 games with 10 starts at cornerback last season, totaling 29 tackles, six pass breakups, and one fumble recovery, while adding eight punt returns for 78 yards. Made his first career start at Stanford (9/13), finishing with four tackles. In 2024, played in eight games at corner and punt returner, highlighted by a 52-yard return against North Carolina.

Syair Torrence – Redshirt Sophomore, 5-10, 195

Started two games at cornerback before suffering a season-ending injury, totaling four tackles and three pass breakups. Appeared in eight games primarily on special teams as a true freshman in 2024, notably recording a tackle against North Carolina.

Ashton Cunningham – Sophomore, 5-9, 170

Joined the Eagles as a mid-year enrollee and played in 11 games on special teams and as a reserve cornerback, totaling 13 tackles and three pass breakups. Registered a career-high five tackles against California (9/27). Rated as a top-25 overall recruit from Oklahoma by 247Sports and On3.

Marcelous Townsend – Redshirt Freshman, 5-11, 180

Played in three games at cornerback and on special teams, totaling six tackles before redshirting. Made his collegiate debut in the opener against Fordham (8/30). Arrived at BC after setting the school record for interceptions in 2024 at Blessed Trinity Catholic School in Georgia.

Charleston Coldon – Redshirt Freshman, 6-0, 190

Did not see game action last season and maintained his redshirt. Arrived as a top-30 overall recruit from Illinois (247Sports) after registering at least three interceptions in each of his final two seasons at Althoff Catholic High School.

Michael Mankaka – Redshirt Senior, 6-0, 190

Joined the program in the spring after playing in 10 career games at Clemson, primarily on special teams. Transitioned from wide receiver to cornerback during the 2024 offseason. Named to the All-ACC Honor Roll selection in 2022.

Njita Sinkala – Redshirt Freshman, 5-11, 175

Enrolled at mid-year and appeared in one game while maintaining his redshirt. Rated as a top-20 overall recruit from Connecticut by both 247Sports and On3.

Gerald Green Jr. – Freshman, 6-0, 175

Joined the program as a mid-year enrollee. Played at Moore Catholic High School in Staten Island, N.Y., where he was ranked as a top-3 prospect in the state, before finishing his prep career in Texas. Registered two interceptions and two pass breakups during his senior season.

Xavier Myers – Freshman, 6-2, 190

Joined the Eagles in June. Ranked as a top-20 prospect from Maryland, he earned All-MIAA cornerback honors as a senior at Mount Saint Joseph High School after totaling one interception, one forced fumble, and a blocked punt for a touchdown.

Max Tejpaul – Redshirt Freshman, 6-1, 180

Did not see game action last season and maintained his redshirt. Played both cornerback and wide receiver at The Brunswick School in Greenwich, Conn. Totaled 14 tackles, a sack, and an interception during his senior season.

Safeties

KP Price – Senior, 6-2, 205

Named a team captain ahead of the 2025 season. Started all 12 games — including three starts at linebacker — and earned All-ACC Second-Team honors after racking up a team-leading 94 tackles, three TFL, three quarterback hits, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery. Logged his fifth career double-digit tackle game with 10 stops at Syracuse (11/29).

Carter Davis – Redshirt Junior, 6-1, 195

Started nine of his 12 games at safety last year, totaling 59 tackles, two pass breakups, and his first career sack against Fordham (8/30). Converted from cornerback to safety during training camp as a freshman, subsequently starting 10 games at free safety and logging a season-high nine tackles at Florida State.

Marcus Upton – Sophomore, 6-1, 200

Joined the program in the summer and played in nine games on special teams and as a reserve safety, totaling 17 tackles and a TFL. Entered college as a top-20 recruit from New Jersey and a top-50 safety nationally according to 247Sports and On3.

Charlie Comelia – Redshirt Sophomore, 6-1, 190

Appeared in all 12 games with one start at safety, totaling 17 tackles, a fumble recovery, and a blocked kick. Blocked a punt against Fordham (8/30) to set up a short touchdown run, and later recovered a muffed punt against Clemson (10/11).

Kameron Howard – Redshirt Junior, 5-11, 195

Spent the last two seasons at Alabama, appearing in six games and recording four tackles. Began his collegiate career at Charlotte in 2023, where he recorded 38 tackles, two interceptions, and a pass breakup as a true freshman.

Rae Sykes Jr. – Sophomore, 6-1, 210

Joined the program last summer and played in seven games, primarily on special teams. Earned consecutive all-conference selections and Regional Defensive Player of the Year honors at Rome High School in Georgia, where he registered over 100 tackles during his final two seasons.

Chandler Jordan – Sophomore, 6-4, 220

Transferred to BC after spending his true freshman season at Georgia State, where he played in 10 games and recorded 14 tackles. A former four-year letterwinner in both football and track at North Gwinnett High School in Georgia.

Da’Jon Green – Freshman, 6-1, 195

Rated as a top-20 prospect from Oklahoma by ESPN. Recorded one interception, one sack, and six pass breakups during his senior season at Choctaw High School.

Jordan Rodriguez – Freshman, 6-0, 195

Ranked as a top-20 prospect from New Jersey by ESPN and a top-70 player at his position nationally by Rivals. Amassed over 200 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions across three varsity seasons.

Tommy Cusick III – Redshirt Sophomore, 6-2, 200

Did not see game action over his first two seasons at the Heights. Attended Lake Orion High School and IMG Academy before graduating from First Baptist Academy in Florida, where he won a 2022 State Championship, earned First-Team All-State honors, and was named Team Defensive MVP in 2023.

Zach Kelly – Redshirt Junior, 5-11, 190

Played in seven games last season, contributing primarily on special teams after appearing in just one contest during his freshman year. Transferred to BC after beginning his collegiate career at Bryant University.

James Magerko – Redshirt Sophomore, 6-1, 195

Did not see game action over his first two seasons with the program. Arrived at BC following a standout career at Ramapo High School in New Jersey, where he was a three-year varsity starter at safety and set the school’s all-time career tackling record with 262 stops.

Nickels

TJ Green – Sophomore, 5-11, 180

Coming out of high school rated as a top-40 overall recruit in Ohio by 247SportsRated, Green joined BC football mid-year during his freshman year. Played in 10 games with three starts at nickel back, totaling 25 tackles, two quarterback hits, one sack, and one forced fumble. Made his first career start at defensive back at Louisville on Oct. 25, stripping quarterback Miller Moss in the fourth quarter for his first career forced fumble to go with a career-high eight tackles.

Cameron Martinez – Graduate Student, 5-10, 190

Played in four games with one start at nickelback, totaling nine tackles, one quarterback hit and one pass breakup ... Recorded four tackles vs. California in September. Before BC, Played football at Ohio State, with three starts in 25 games played… two-time OSU Scholar Athlete and Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

This is the sixth story of Boston College Eagles On SI's summer position previews series. We're providing an in-depth look at every position group through the rest of August.

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