CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Thursday was about the defensive backs. Looking at each member of the Eagles' secondary, Boston College welcomes an influx of experienced talent to pair with their returning contributors.
"I like the mentality of the group…we're growing, we're growing it in a different way, and so I challenge those guys to be a little bit better every day," said secondary coach Ray Brown. "[I] love the way the group comes to work. They're kind of taking on my personality, there's a little bit of aggression, a ton of fun, a lot of coaching, a lot of details, but I really love the way they come to work every day."
DAY SEVENTEEN DETAILS
Date: August 22
Location: Chamberlin Field
Weather: 66 and sunny
#3 – Khari Johnson – Redshirt Senior – Boston, Mass.
Arriving at BC as a senior in 2023, Khari Johnson played in 12 games and started five times for the Eagles last season after playing in 22 games over three seasons at Arkansas. Johnson logged 28 tackles last season, including five in the Fenway Bowl victory over SMU, and added a highlight-reel fumble recovery return for a touchdown against Florida State. Johnson has earned regular reps in camp and profiles to be a significant contributor on the defense's back line.
#10 – Jalen Cheek – Redshirt Junior – Sicklerville, N.J.
Another returning talent, Jalen Cheek played in 10 games with six starts as a redshirt sophom*ore in 2023. The Sicklerville, New Jersey native logged 26 tackles with three PBUs last season, including a season-high six tackles in the Eagles' win at Army. Cheek will once again factor into the secondary's plan of attack in 2024.
#13 – Max Tucker – Sophom*ore – Hyde Park, Mass.
A true sophom*ore out of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, Max Tucker enters 2024 primed to impact the Eagles' defense. Tucker started three games and appeared in ten as a true freshman in 2023, including a start at cornerback in the Fenway Bowl, where he logged three solo tackles and a PBU in the win over SMU.
"Coach Brown is a technician," said Tucker on his position coach Ray Brown. "He hones in on the technique, and he's also a motivator. He gets us going before practice, during practice, he makes sure the energy stays up, he brings the energy and it helps us stay energized."
#14 – Jalon Williams – Redshirt Junior – Grand Prairie, Tx.
A Texas native, Jalon Williams has appeared in 25 games over the last two seasons with ten solo tackles over that span. Williams projects to play an important role in the secondary and on special teams.
#16 – Isaiah Farris – Redshirt Sophom*ore – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Isaiah Farris spent the 2022 season on a redshirt, and after playing in three games on special teams last season, Farris has worked into getting more camp reps and will be a contributor in both the secondary and on special teams.
#18 – Ryan Turner – Redshirt Sophom*ore – Hollywood, Fla.
Ryan Turner transferred in this offseason from Ohio State and wasted no time in earning regular camp reps. The Hollywood, Florida native played in four games in 2022 for the Buckeyes and retained his redshirt.
#19 – Bryquice Brown – Graduate – Dorchester, Mass.
Bryquice Brown arrives at BC after playing four seasons at Georgia State, logging five career interceptions with 24 PBUs, and 136 tackles over four seasons. Brown has made his presence known in camp and will factor into the Eagles' defense this year
#20 – KP Price – Sophom*ore – Baltimore, Md.
KP Price enters his true sophom*ore season as one of the impact players of the BC secondary, playing in all 13 games with a start in the Fenway Bowl as a freshman in 2023. The Baltimore native logged four tackles and blocked a 45-yard field goal in the bowl game victory over SMU, and will once again play a significant role in the Eagles' secondary.
"It helps the defense tremendously," said Price on the experience in the secondary. "Having guys that know their job, know where they gotta be, it's a tremendous help."
#21 – Victor Nelson – Redshirt Senior – Gainesville, Fla.
Victor Nelson appeared in all 13 games as a redshirt junior in 2023, making two starts with 14 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. The Florida native played two seasons at Long Island University before arriving at BC, named first-team all-conference in 2022 while leading the conference in interceptions, PBUs, and deflections.
#23 – Cole Batson – Redshirt Junior – San Clemente, Calif.
A regular contributor over the last two seasons, Cole Batson made eight starts in 10 games played as a redshirt sophom*ore in 2023 and played in 11 games with two starts the year prior. Batson clinched the win at Syracuse with an interception that punched the Eagles' ticket to a bowl game. Batson missed the end of last season due to injury but projects to once again contribute to this secondary.
#24 – Amari Jackson – Junior – McDonough, Ga.
One of the best returning defenders on the roster, Amari Jackson will aim to once again start all 13 games at cornerback like he did as a true sophom*ore in 2023. The Georgia native logged 33 solo tackles and 3.5 TFLs last season, and was honored for the Pop-Tarts Bowl Crazy Good Play of the Week with an acrobatic catch on a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown in a win at Georgia Tech.
"I'm just trying to be the best version of myself," said Jackson. "We got a big DB room, [so I'm] trying to be an example to the young guys in here, trying to be consistent, and stack every day."
Jackson has high praise for his new secondary coach Ray Brown: "I love him, he's a real competitive guy, he's gonna get the best out of you, he knows ball, so I'm learning each and every day and he's really helped me out a lot."
#25 – Bugg Jones – Redshirt Junior – Richmond, Va.
After spending the 2021 season on a redshirt, Bugg Jones appeared in 15 games over the last two seasons, primarily as a special teams contributor. Jones recorded five tackles in 2023. Jones was honored at the 2024 Jay McGillis Memorial Maroon & Gold Game as the recipient of the Jay McGillis Scholarship, awarded each year to a senior defensive back.
#26 – Syair Torrence – Freshman – Syracuse, N.Y.
Syracuse native, was rated as the No. 5 recruit from the state of New York. Helped Christian Brothers Academy to two Class AA State Championships.
#28 – Carter Davis – Redshirt Freshman – Baltimore, Md.
Contributed in three games late in his freshman season in the secondary and on special teams and maintained his redshirt.
#29 – Cameron Martinez – Graduate – Muskegon, Mich.
A graduate transfer out of Michigan, Cameron Martinez arrives at BC from Ohio State, where he made three starts in 25 games played. Martinez was a two-time scholar athlete with the Buckeyes and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.
#30 – Omar Thornton – Freshman – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
A late addition to the Eagles' 2024 signing class, Thornton committed to BC in February of his senior year in high school. He was named the 2M-1M Defensive Player of the Year by the Miami Herald.
#32 – Charlie Comella – Freshman – Wellesley, Mass.
Initially recruited as a two-sport prospect, Comella played football and baseball at Xaverian Brothers, where he contributed to a state title. His father Greg played at Stanford followed by a seven-year NFL career.
#35 – Ashton McShane – Freshman – McKinney, Tx.
A first-team all-district and district MVP honoree as a senior at McKinney High School in the Dallas area.
#37 – Brody Kidwell – Graduate – New Albany, Ohio
Logged 21 games played with 18 starts at Cornell University, making over 80 tackles with seven TFLs, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. Kidwell was a two-time selection to the Ivy League Player of the Week Honor Roll.
#38 – Tommy Cusick – Freshman – Naples, Fla.
Finished his scholastic career at First Baptist Academy, where he helped the team win a 2022 Florida State Championship, while earning first-team all-state honors.
#39 – Kahlil Ali – Redshirt Freshman – Pennsauken, N.J.
Played in four games in the secondary and on special teams, while maintaining his redshirt as a true freshman. Represented BC at the 2024 ACC Unity Tour in Charleston, S.C.
#46 – James Magerko – Freshman – Wyckoff, N.J.
High school teammate of fellow freshman wide receiver Zach Schnorrbusch. Helped Ramapo to the 2023 North Jersey State Championship.
#48 – Zach Kelly – Sophom*ore – Petaluma, Calif.
This California product started his career at Bryant University in Rhode Island as a freshman a year ago. Twice earned all-league as a defensive back and wide receiver.
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