A Look at Boston College’s Football Captains
By Anthony Patrick Perez,
As defensive-minded head coach Jeff Hafley takes over the reins at Boston College, five new team captains will lead his Eagles on the field, with the hope of securing the program’s first 10-win season in 13 years in a season unlike any other.
Meet the quintet at the forefront of BC’s flight to a possible fifth consecutive bowl appearance:
Max Richardson , LB #14
6’0” 230 lbs.
After withdrawing from the NFL Draft, senior linebacker Max Richardson returns for his fifth and final year at Chestnut Hill. The Duluth, Georgia native was a stellar playmaker on defense last season, leading the ACC with 72 solo tackles, which also ranked eighth most in the nation. No other Eagle registered more tackles for loss (14.5) and sacks (3.5) than the 2019 All-ACC second teamer.
With the Boston College defense pegged to improve under new coaching, scheme and philosophy, Richardson’s big plays will once again headline a stout linebacker corps bolstered by a healthy Isaiah McDuffie (SAM) and graduate student, John Lamot (MLB).
Under the watch of linebackers coach Sean Duggan, Richardson has carefully studied the mental awareness and sharp anticipation of Eagles legend Luke Kuechly – just what BC’s weakside wrecker needs as the leader of a defense in need of a solid bounce back year.
Marcus Valdez, DE #97
6’0” 258 lbs.
In 2019, Marcus Valdez was the most consistent performer on a defensive line that struggled heavily to get to the quarterback. Though Boston College placed 106th in the nation in total sacks, the Eagles registered 11 takedowns in their last five games of the season – thanks to the returning junior’s explosiveness off the edge. Totaling 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks by the end of the season, Pro Football Focus ranked the undersized dynamo the 8th best pass rusher among all Power 5 edge defenders.
As the Don Bosco Prep product looks to build on his promising performance from last year, Defensive Coordinator Tem Lukabu will seek to maximize Valdez’ gains alongside transferee Luc Bequette and Shittah Sillah, to form a formidable trio in the trenches
Zion Johnson, OL #77
6’3” 310 lbs.
Despite starting in only seven of the 13 total games he played in 2019, left guard Zion Johnson definitely impressed in his first taste of FBS action. Last season was a breakout campaign for the transfer from Davidson College, as he was named to the All-ACC second team, and won ACC Offensive Linemen of the Week twice. A nimble athlete at 310 pounds, Johnson displayed excellent control in pass protection, stable base and solid play strength- attributes that placed him on the Outland Trophy watchlist.
A projected 2nd to 3rd Round NFL Draft pick, Johnson’s ability to consistently finish blocks and relentless motor till the last whistle, was one of the big reasons why now-Green Bay Packers rookie AJ Dillion found so many open lanes for big plays. Following in the footsteps of former Eagles Anthony Costanzo and Chris Lindstrom, 2020 is Johnson’s time to establish himself as the best offensive lineman in the ACC.
Ben Petrula, OL #64
6’5” 315 lbs.
A mainstay of Boston College’s vaunted offensive line, right tackle Ben Petrula’s versatility has made him an indispensable piece to the offense. Since being named an ESPN Freshman All-American center in 2017 – with no prior experience playing the position – the St. Peter’s Prep, NJ product has steadily held the right side of the line over the past two season. Starting 13 games and only giving up a single sack on 311 pass attempts, the senior garnered All-ACC second honors in 2019.
With the ACC set to continue its football season this fall, Petrula keeps his 37-game streak of consecutive starts alive- a good opportunity to build his NFL Draft resume versus the ACC’s elite pass rushers.
Travis Levy, RB #23
5’11” 198 lbs.
After a two-touchdown performance that proved to be instrumental in a big win versus Virginia Tech in 2018, Travis Levy’s 2019 was a whole different story. Buried behind AJ Dillon and David Bailey in the depth chart, Levy tallied only 28 rushes and 103 yards for the season, and was mostly relegated to return duties.
However, under new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr’s system, the senior running back just might be the swiss army knife that opens up whole new variations to the Boston College offense. Levy’s versatility can see him lined up in the slot or catch a pass in the flat out of the backfield, providing David Bailey with an intriguing complementary weapon. Watch out for Levy to make surprise big plays as the Eagles’ go-to third down back, while also being a scoring threat on kick and punt returns.