August is here, practices are underway, and Boston College is deep into the countdown to the 2026 season. With ACC Media Days in the rearview and less than 30 days left before year three under Bill O’Brien begins, it’s the right moment to start sorting out the Eagles’ most important pieces.
This ranking isn’t just about talent in a vacuum. It weighs what each player has already done in college and what he’s expected to mean to Boston College in 2026, both on the field and in the win-loss column. Today’s entry lands at No. 14: second-year defensive back Ashton Cunningham.
Cunningham arrived in Chestnut Hill from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he played at Union and came in as a 2025 three-star recruit. He was ranked by 247Sports as an 86, the No. 115 cornerback in the class and the No. 24 recruit in Oklahoma. He also came to Boston College with teammate Shaker Reisig, who has since transferred to Texas State.
As a freshman, Cunningham appeared in 11 games on special teams and as a reserve cornerback. He finished with 13 tackles and three pass breakups, and he saw action at cornerback against Fordham, Pitt and California.
The buzz around Cunningham is building for 2026, even if he’s still not a name many people are talking about. He’s a smaller corner, but his speed stands out, and that tracks with his background as a high school track star. He’s drawn attention throughout the spring and summer, and he’s positioned to push for real playing time this fall.
He’s expected to battle Max Tucker and Marcelous Townsend for the second starting boundary corner job. So far, Cunningham has been sticking to receivers, holding up well in coverage, and showing the kind of swagger teams want from a corner. He’s also not shy about letting opponents hear it when he makes a play.
The rankings continue with punter Bryce LaFollette at No. 25, running back Nolan Ray at No. 24, wide receiver Dawson Pough at No. 23, offensive lineman Robert Smith at No. 22, defensive tackle KJ Sampson at No. 21, linebacker Bodie Kahoun at No. 20, center Max Tucker at No. 19, defensive back Carter Davis at No. 18, Vegeur Jean Jumeau at No.
17, Trevon Humphrey at No. 16 and Pape Sy at No. 15.
In Other News...
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Team IMPACTs mission is to connect children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams, creating a bond built on inclusion, socialization and empowerment. For Boston College, it means another teammate for players and fans to embrace, and a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful additions to a roster have little to do with depth charts. [Read more 🡒]
Boston College Opens With A Chance To Set A Different Tone
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Sophie Reale returns as the leading goalscorer, while Olivia Shippee is back in goal after earning a starting role and a captains designation, two stabilizing pieces for a team trying to establish an early rhythm. Siena arrives with experience of its own, led by First Team All-MAAC midfielder Catherine Rogers and goalkeeper Cate Burns, so Boston College will get an immediate read on where it stands in a matchup that should say plenty about the tone of the fall. [Read more 🡒]