Boston College Football 2014: Steven Daniels, LB
By Joe Micik
Over the years, the Boston College Eagles linebacking corps has been a source of both pride and NFL-caliber players. In 2014, junior Steven Daniels is going to be one of its more experienced, veteran members. With that comes great responsibility.
Daniels, of course, is no stranger to the responsibility that comes with being a starter. He is also familiar with the expectations that have been placed upon him since the days of his recruitment. That’s what happens when you perform well and come from a school that is well known at this college for its production of excellent defensive players.
That high school was St. Xavier in Cincinnati, the same institution that gave us Luke Kuechly and Alex Albright in previous years, and teammate Sean Duggan on the current Eagles team.
Steven Daniels was a four-star linebacking recruit who had a number of high-major offers from which to choose, including Cincinnati, NC State, Texas A&M, and West Virginia amongst others. When he chose Boston College, however, he had to spend a year at Worcester Academy to tune up academically to meet the approval of the folks at Devlin Hall. Once that happened, Daniels came to the Heights in time for the 2012 season.
With no reason to wait any longer, he played as a true freshman, and entering 2014, he has already appeared in almost two-dozen football games for the Eagles.
Steven Daniels #52: Fast Facts
- Position: Linebacker
- Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
- High School: St. Xaver High School, Cincinnati, Ohio and Worcester Academy
- Measurements: 6-foot-0, 257 lb.
- Class year & age at 2014 opener: Junior, 21
- BC games played: 23
Steven Daniels #52: 2013 Season
- Starting Will linebacker
- Games played: All 13; 12 starts
- Cumulative statistics: 88 tackles; 6.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery
- Appeared on Spring 2014 roster
With Kevin Pierre-Louis and Steele Divitto gone, Steven Daniels is the only one of the three starting linebackers from last season to return. There is going to be pressure on him to perform and lead by example. Over the course of the 2013 season, Daniels appeared to improve. This will have to continue if he is to become the football player we expect him to be, and this is going to be his year to shine. It’s up to Daniels to do it.