Boston College Football 2014: Noa Merritt, DL

The Boston College Eagles defensive line is depleted to start the 2014 season; incoming freshman defensive tackle Noa Merritt is some help on the way.

From the farthest northern corner of New Jersey, Merritt will shift his base of operations to Chestnut Hill. Yet, his accomplishments back in New Jersey helped him get there. As a defensive tackle for Pope John XXIII Regional High School, Noa Merritt was named by MSG Varsity to the All-State first team in 2013. Boston College fans may also notice some other familiar names up and down that list — other 2014 or 2015 newcomers Jonathan Hilliman, Nolan Borgersen, Elijah Robinson, and Sherman Alston were also honored. Merritt appears to be just one of several talented New Jersey High School football players on their way to the Heights.

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During his recruitment, Merritt’s three FBS offers came from Boston College, Northern Illinois, and Western Michigan. MACtion would prove not to be in the greater plan for Merritt, as he ultimately decided upon going to play for Steve Addazio and the Eagles. Noa Merritt was one of the last commits to join the Eagles’ 2014 class, throwing in on January 28, a little over a week prior to Signing Day. He had previously been committed to join the Broncos out in Kalamazoo, but changed his mind late in the game and went to an ACC squad.

The landscape in which Merritt’s new defensive line finds itself will present great opportunities to new players. Will Merritt be one of them?

Noa Merritt: Fast Facts

• Position: Defensive tackle
• Hometown: Sparta, New Jersey
• High School: Pope John XXIII Regional High School, Sparta, NJ
• Measurements: 6-foot-2, 270 lb.
• Class year at 2014 opener: Freshman
• BC games played: 0

Noa Merritt: 2013 Season (HS)

• All-Metro and All-State defensive tackle as a senior
• Did not appear on Spring 2014 roster

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It has been mentioned a hundred times here already during this summer series, and let’s make it 101: Boston College’s defensive line is returning none of its four starters from last season. Someone’s going to have to fill those roles, and then other players will have to fill the backup roles on the two-deep that are created.

Assuming Merritt’s above-captioned stats are still accurate, he would be a bit lighter than the other defensive tackles still on the roster, but not by a tremendous amount. Regardless, barring injury, it would seem there are enough players ahead of him in line, so to speak, that a redshirt is a plausible and likely outcome.