Wake Forest Football: Key players to watch against Boston College

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Running back Cade Carney #36 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons runs the ball during the third quarter of the game against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – AUGUST 30: Jonathan Banks #1 of the Tulane Green Wave is sacked by Zeek Rodney #93 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half against the Tulane Green Wave on August 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Willie Yarbary/Zeek Rodney

The focus for the defense for the Wake Forest football team will be to slow down Eagles’ running back AJ Dillon. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done as Dillon has already ran for 247 yards through two games.

If the Demon Deacons hope to slow these dynamic running back down, it will start up front with tackles Willie Yarbary and Zeek Rodney. These two fifth-year defensive tackles are the strength of this defense and will need to set the tone.

The key here is that Yarbary and Rodney don’t necessarily need to rack up the tackles to have a major impact on this game. While part of their job is to break through the line and make plays in the backfield, they also can make an impact by engaging with offensive linemen. The more they can do that, the easier it will be for the linebackers to fly around and close the running lanes.

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