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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
It’s been quite the journey for Boston College linebacker and Wellesley native, Connor Strachan. Since arriving in Chestnut Hill in the summer of 2014 for preseason training and conditioning, the St. Sebastian’s product has done nothing but impress and improve, and it has resulted in Strachan emerging as one of the BC football’s leaders both on and off the field.
As a freshman, Strachan appeared in all 13 of BC’s games, including their 31-30 Pinstripe Bowl loss to Penn State, while racking up 13 tackles on the year. As a sophomore, Strachan led the ACC in fumble recoveries (3), had two interceptions including a pick-six, had two sacks, and averaged 6.2 tackles per game while playing in all 12 games, of which he started in six.
Now, entering his senior year, Strachan will anchor a BC defense that finished 2016 ranked No. 8 nationally in total defense. Strachan served as the unit’s starting middle linebacker and signal caller for all 13 games last season. A versatile sideline-to-sideline tackling machine, Strachan racked up a team-high 80 tackles last season, recovered an ACC-best four fumbles, had 3.5 sacks, earned himself All-ACC honorable mention and helped guide BC to a 7-6 season, including a 36-30 victory over Maryland in the Quick Lane Bowl, the program’s first bowl win since 2007.
BC has extremely high expectations for its defense every year, especially when you consider the quality of linebackers to come out of the Heights in recent years (Mark Herzlich, Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Mike McLaughlin, Luke Kuechly). The Eagles play in arguably the toughest division in all of college football with defending national champ Clemson, Florida State, and Heisman-winner Lamar Jackson and the Louisville Cardinals also calling the ACC Atlantic home. However, with guys like Strachan and senior Harold Landry (2016 NCAA sack-leader with 17 and a preseason All-American defensive end) back, there are reasons for both the Eagles and their fans to be optimistic heading into 2017.
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter at @fLAno0, or read his blog at www.flannylive.wordpress.com.
