Top 5 2014 Boston College Football Impact Players

Nov 30, 2013; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange running back

(45) tries to avoid a tackle by Boston College Eagles linebacker Steven Daniels (52) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse won the game 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Top 5 2014 Boston College Football Impact Players

3. Steven Daniels, LB

Two years ago, Steven Daniels was just working his way to Boston College after having to spend a year in exile at Worcester Academy. Like Gallik on the offensive side, he too experienced the proverbial growing pains as a younger player.

Now, Daniels is more or less the dean of the linebacking corps, as the only returning starter from 2013. Both of his former teammates as starters, Steele Divitto and Kevin Pierre-Louis, were graduating seniors lost to the National Football League in the spring.

My general postulate about Boston College defense is that as long as half-way decent players are being thrown out there, the linebackers will be fine. This unit always seems like the least of the Eagles’ problems year in and year out, and not just because they have had guys like Mark Herzlich and Luke Kuechly here recently. Remember, the year after Kuechly left for the Carolina Panthers, Nick Clancy came out of nowhere and had 145 tackles as a senior. Other players will step up to fill the gaps.

In 2014, Daniels may well be that guy amongst the linebackers. It is his time to shine.