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B.J. Raji | Nose Tackle | Boston College | 6'2" - 337 lbs.
Story: Raji Not Just Another Big Guy
OVERVIEW
Raji and teammate Ron Brace proved to be one of the most feared defensive tackle tandems in college football in 2008.
With those two anchored in the middle of the line, they combined for 11 of the team's 35 quarterback sacks (31.43 percent) and 27 of the Eagles' 108 tackles behind the line of scrimmage (25.0 percent). Raji led a unit that led the Atlantic Coast Conference in rush defense (91.21 ypg, seventh in the NCAA) and total defense (268.14 ypg, ranked fifth nationally).
At Westwood Regional High School, Raji earned All-State, All-North Jersey and All-County honors as a senior. The three-time starter was a two-time All-Bergen County Scholastic League choice, as he played on both the offensive and
defensive lines.
As a senior, Raji recorded 75 tackles, 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 2003. He was selected to play in the 2004 Governor's Bowl, which pits the top high-school seniors in New Jersey vs. their New York counterparts. He also played on Westwood's basketball team as a freshman and sophomore.
Raji enrolled at Boston College in 2004, seeing action in 11 games behind Tim Bulman at right defensive tackle. He collected 13 tackles (6 solos) with 1.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. Having bulked up to 320 pounds in a rigorous
offseason program, he captured the right tackle starting position in 2005, posting 27 tackles (15 solos) with 6.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage, including 1.5 sacks his sophomore campaign.
Raji saw constant double team blocking in 2006, as he started 12 games at right tackle. He garnered All-Atlantic Coast Conference second-team honors, as he delivered 23 tackles (16 solos) with three sacks and 8.5 stops for losses. Two of his three pass break-ups came on third-down plays.
Raji red-shirted in 2007 and focused on academics. He came back with renewed hunger, going on to register a career-high 42 tackles (22 solos), including a team-high eight sacks and 16.0 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also
became the first Eagle defensive tackle since Mike Ruth in 1985 to lead the team in sacks. He added three pressures and deflected five passes at the line of scrimmage.
CAREER NOTES
Raji started 37-of-49 games at Boston College, recording 105 tackles (59 solos) with 12.5 sacks for minus 78 yards, 32.5 stops for losses of 136 yards and four quarterback pressures... Deflected nine passes and caused one fumble... In 2008,
he became the first Boston College defensive tackle to lead the team in sacks (eight) since Mike Ruth in 1985... His three sacks vs. North Carolina State in 2008 were the most in a game by an Eagle since Mathias Kiwanuka in 2005 (3.5 vs.
North Carolina State).
2008 SEASON
All-American first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report, earning second-team honors from Rivals.com, third-team accolades from the Associated Press and Scout.com and was an honorable mention by Pro Football Weekly and Sports Ilustrated... First-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick... The recipient of The Mary M. and William H. Sullivan, Jr. '37
Scholarship started all 13 games at right defensive tackle, recording a career-high 42 tackles (22 solos)... Led the team with eight sacks for minus 48 yards, 16.0 stops for losses of 79 yards and three quarterback pressures... Finished third on the squad with five pass deflections... Had at least one tackle behind the line of scrimmage in 10 contests... Helped the team lead the ACC and rank seventh in the nation by holding the opposition to an average of 91.21 rushing yards per game, as the Eagles also led the conference and placed fifth nationally with an average of 268.14 yards per game in total offense allowed.
2007 SEASON
Red-shirted and concentrated on academics.
2006 SEASON
The All-Atlantic Coast Conference second-team selection started 12 games at right defensive tackle, coming off the bench vs. Clemson... Finished with 23 tackles (16 solos)... That included three sacks for minus 22 yards, 8.5 stops for losses of 35 yards and one QB pressure... Caused a fumble and deflected three passes, including two on third-down plays that forced the opposition to punt.
2005 SEASON
Raji took over right defensive tackle duties, starting all twelve games... Recorded 27 tackles (15 solos) with 6.5 stops for losses of 20 yards, including 1.5 sacks for minus 8 yards...Also deflected one pass.
2004 SEASON
Raji appeared in 11 games as a true freshman, working his way into the rotation at right defensive tackle behind Tim Bulmam... Recorded 13 tackles (6 solos) with 1.5 stops for losses of 2 yards.
2004 GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Saw his first collegiate action in the home opener vs. Penn State, as he notched one solo tackle vs. the Nittany Lions... ln the Connecticut game, he was credited with one tackle for loss and one assisted tackle... Made two solo stops at Wake Forest... Added an unassisted tackle vs. Massachusetts and one solo stop vs. Rutgers... Recorded three tackles (one unassisted) at West Virginia... Delivered three assisted tackles, including an assisted tackle for loss at Temple... Had another tackle behind the line of scrimmage vs. Syracuse.
AGILITY TESTS
5.12 in the 40-yard dash... 1.69 10-yard dash... 2.98 20-yard dash... 4.68 20-yard shuttle... 7.93 three-cone drill... 32-inch vertical jump... 8'7 broad jump... Bench pressed 225 pounds 33 times... 31 1/4-inch arm length... 10 1/4-inch hands.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Westwood Regional (Washington Township, N.J.) High School, playing football for head coach Joe Gambardella... Earned All-State, All-North Jersey and All-County honors as a senior... The three-time starter was a twotime
All-Bergen County Scholastic League choice, as he played on both the offensive and defensive lines... As a senior, Raji recorded 75 tackles, 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 2003... Selected to play in the 2004 Governor's Bowl, which
pits the top high-school seniors in New Jersey vs. their New York ounterparts... Also played on Westwood's basketball team as a freshman and sophomore.
PERSONAL
Enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences...Very active in his church, playing drums and tutoring children... Oldest of Mamie and Busari Raji Sr.'s three children... Born Busari Raji on 6/11/86... Resides in Washington Township, New Jersey.
| DEFENSIVE STATISTICS |
| Year |
GP |
GS |
TK |
SO |
AS |
FR |
FC |
INT |
TFL |
PBU |
SK |
PRES |
| 2004 |
11 |
0 |
13 |
6 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.5-2 |
0 |
0-0 |
0 |
| 2005 |
12 |
12 |
27 |
15 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6.5-20 |
1 |
1.5-8 |
0 |
| 2006 |
13 |
12 |
23 |
16 |
7 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
8.5-35 |
3 |
3.0-22 |
1 |
| 2008 |
13 |
13 |
42 |
22 |
20 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
16.0-79 |
5 |
8.0-48 |
3 |
| Total |
49 |
37 |
105 |
59 |
46 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
32.5-136 |
9 |
12.5-78 |
4 |
Bios courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com
distributed by The Sports Xchange
© Copyright 2009 - All Rights Reserved
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