The Boston College Eagles enter 2026 looking to rebound from a 2-10 season, and nowhere is that reset more evident than along the defensive line.
After losing four experienced starters following the 2024 season and struggling to replace that production in 2025, BC has spent the past offseason rebuilding the group through transfers, returning players, and younger talent.
Ben Albert is returning as BC’s defensive line coach after holding the same position from 2013 to 2015. Albert spent the past three seasons at UMass as assistant head coach and defensive line coach and previously served as Duke’s co-defensive coordinator from 2016-21.
Here is a closer look at the position group heading into the 2026 season:
At a Glance
Ezeiruaku was the most significant departure after the 2024 season, finishing his final year on the Heights with 80 total tackles, 16.5 sacks, and ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Now, the question isn’t whether BC can find its next Ezeiruaku. It’s whether five or six players can collectively make up for what one elite pass rusher used to provide, and the Eagles are hoping that pressure can come from multiple places.
During Saturday’s second scrimmage, the Eagles’ defense produced a steady stream of sacks from across the entire front. Georgia transfer Kris Jones, along with edge rusher Onye Nwosisi, generated the most pressure.
The Eagles also have returning defensive ends Josiah Griffin, Favor Bate, and Josiah Griffin, along with Buffalo transfer Demetrius Ballard.
Inside, BC has added size and experience. Chris Marable Jr. is the most established returning interior presence. The redshirt junior returns after starting seven games last season and is joined by transfers including KJ Sampson (Florida State) and Christian Hudson (Colorado). Youngster Micah Amedee looks ready for a leap in the rotation this season as well.
Depth is particularly important under first-year defensive coordinator Ted Roof, who has made the defensive front’s rotation a priority. Roof said BC needs enough quality depth to rotate players throughout the season and avoid being “down to three or four bodies at the end of the season.”
BC has the talent to build a strong defensive line, but consistency and health remain concerns. In 2025, the Eagles struggled to replace Ezeiruaku’s production, finishing with 17 sacks — 116th among 134 FBS teams — with no individual defender recording more than 2.5 sacks.
This year, BC will need several players to contribute consistently. Jones, Nwosisi, and Ballard could provide a boost on the edge, while Marable, Sampson, Amedee, and Hudson give the Eagles more depth inside. If BC can generate pressure from both the edge and interior, it could open opportunities for the linebackers and allow Roof to be more aggressive.
Early camp reports suggest the pieces are coming together, but the real test will be whether that pressure translates against ACC quarterbacks and offensive lines.
Projected Early-Season Depth Chart
Defensive End / EDGE
1. Onye Nwosisi
2. Kris Jones
3. Demetrius Ballard
4. Favor Bate
5. E’LIa Boykin
6. Israel Oladipupo
Interior DL / Defensive Tackle
1. Chris Marable Jr.
2. KJ Sampson
3. Micah Amedee
4. Christian Hudson
5. Chuck Nnaeto
6. Alex DeGrieck
2026 Boston College Defensive Linemen
Defensive Ends
Favor Bate – Junior, 6-2, 250
Played in 12 games with three starts last season, totaling 14 tackles, two quarterback hits, two pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and a sack. Made his first career start at BC at Pittsburgh (10/4), recording his first sack as an Eagle on an 11-yard loss. Previously spent one season at Merrimack, where he recorded 10 tackles, three TFL, and 2.5 sacks in nine games in 2024.
E’lla Boykin – Junior, 6-3, 255
Played in 11 games with one start last season, recording 19 tackles, 2.5 TFL, one sack, and one quarterback hit. Recorded a career-high six tackles and his first career sack at BC against Syracuse (11/29). Previously spent one season at Barton College, where he totaled 55 tackles, 3.5 TFL, two pass breakups, one sack, and one interception.
Kris Jones – Redshirt Sophomore, 6-2, 245
Joined BC after spending two seasons at Georgia, where he appeared in 14 games and recorded seven tackles. Saw action in the Bulldogs’ Sugar Bowl appearance before transferring to the Eagles.
Appeared in three games last season before suffering a season-ending injury, totaling six tackles. Previously spent two seasons at Valparaiso, recording 39 tackles, five TFL, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in nine games in 2024.
Josiah Griffin – Redshirt Junior, 6-4, 265
Played in six games last season and recorded his first career interception against SMU (11/8), deflecting a pass from QB Kevin Jennings before making the pick. Previously appeared in 12 games primarily on special teams as a redshirt freshman.
Jayzen Flint – Redshirt Sophomore, 6-3, 250
Appeared in six games as a reserve defensive end last season, totaling three tackles. Saw action on defense and special teams against Pittsburgh (10/4) and Clemson (10/11). Also appeared in three games as a freshman while maintaining his redshirt.
Israel Oladipupo – Sophomore, 6-3, 250
Played in seven games as a reserve defensive end last season, totaling two tackles. Arrived at BC as a highly rated recruit from Indiana after recording more than 130 tackles, 14.5 TFL, and 12 quarterback hurries over his final two high school seasons.
Makai Byerson – Redshirt Sophomore, 6-4, 250
Played in nine games at defensive end last season, recording six tackles. Posted a season-high three tackles at Pittsburgh (10/4) before missing the Clemson game with an injury. Previously spent one season at West Virginia.
Dominic Funke – Freshman, 6-3, 240
A highly productive Massachusetts prospect who recorded 291 tackles and 40 sacks during four seasons at Xaverian Brothers High School. A two-time state champion and three-time Boston Herald All-Scholastic selection.
Mason Leak – Freshman, 6-5, 225
A four-star recruit and the No. 1 prospect in Connecticut, according to 247Sports. Ranked among the top 30 edge rushers nationally after recording 14 TFL and 7.5 sacks during a 10-0 senior season at Avon Old Farms.
Demeterius Thompson – Freshman, 6-4, 220
A four-star recruit ranked among the top three prospects in Missouri and top 40 edge rushers nationally by 247Sports. Recorded 48 tackles, nine sacks, and five touchdowns as a senior at Brentwood Clayton High School.
Defensive Tackle
Chris Marable Jr. – Redshirt Junior, 6-3, 305
Started seven of 12 games last season, totaling 22 tackles, half a sack, one quarterback hit, and one pass breakup. Recorded a career-high four tackles against both Notre Dame (11/1) and Syracuse (11/29). Previously spent time at Wake Forest, where he appeared in five games in 2024.
Alex DeGrieck – Redshirt Senior, 6-4, 250
Transferred to BC from Harvard. Appeared in 31 career games, recording 44 tackles, 13 TFL, and nine sacks. Earned First-Team All-Ivy League and All-New England honors in 2025 after posting a career-best 25 tackles and six sacks.
Chuck Nnaeto – Redshirt Senior, 6-0, 300
Joined BC after spending three seasons at Elon. Started 11 of 12 games on the defensive line in 2024, recording 17 tackles, two TFL, and a forced fumble. Appeared in three games for the Eagles last season before suffering a season-ending injury.
KJ Sampson – Redshirt Junior, 6-3, 305
Appeared in 26 career games over three seasons at Florida State. Played in 10 games, recording 11 tackles, including 1.5 TFL, before transferring to BC.
Micah Amedee – Sophomore, 6-3, 280
Played in five games last season before suffering a season-ending injury, totaling five tackles, one sack, and one quarterback hit. Recorded his first career sack against Fordham (8/30). Arrived at BC as a highly rated in-state recruit after recording more than 40 tackles, seven sacks, and 12 TFL as a senior at Catholic Memorial.
Cameron McGee – Freshman, 6-2, 310
Played his high school career at Grayson High School in Georgia, recording 30 tackles, 10 TFL, four quarterback hurries, and three sacks as a senior. Earned First-Team All-Region and All-County honors.
Christian Hudson – Sophomore, 6-1, 295
Spent his freshman season at Colorado, where he appeared in four games. A three-star recruit from Florida, Hudson was a four-year starter at Mainland High School and recorded 55 tackles and 27 TFL as a senior.
Caden Bowling – Redshirt Sophomore, 6-3, 245
Redshirted his freshman season and appeared in one game during his first season of action at BC. Attended New Canaan High School and Brunswick School in Connecticut, where he also played basketball.
Jackson Carlisle – Freshman, 6-2, 295
Top-45 recruit from Alabama, per ESPN. Registered over 120 tackles, including 29 for loss, 11.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in two seasons at Central High School in Alabama.
Gavin Neil – Freshman, 6-1, 290
Ranked among the top 30 prospects in Illinois and top 45 defensive line prospects nationally. Recorded more than 60 tackles, nine sacks, two strip sacks, and two fumble recoveries as a senior at Marian Catholic, earning All-State, All-Conference, and Player of the Year honors.
Mac Fitzgerald – Freshman, 6-3, 285
Ranked among the top three prospects in Massachusetts in the 2026 class by 247Sports. Recorded 35 TFL, 13 sacks, and three forced fumbles as a senior at Catholic Memorial.
This is the seventh story ofBoston 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.
- Boston College Football 2026 Quarterbacks Preview
- Boston College Football 2026 Running Backs Preview
- Boston College Football 2026 Wide Receivers Preview
- Boston College Football 2026 Offensive Line Preview
- Boston College Football 2026 Tight Ends Preview
- Boston College Football 2026 Defensive Backs Preview
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