“I grew up watching Luke Kuechly. I model my game after him and now I get to play for the same school he played for.” Canadian linebacker Edwin Wilson Tara-Kolenge said, “I still can’t believe it.” as he announces his commitment to the Boston College Eagles. Tara-Kolenge, a 6-foot-3, 217 pound linebacker made his commitment to Boston College public on Saturday but he says, “They’ve been a top school for a while.” Leading up to the announcement he and defensive co-ordinator Tem Lukabu built a good relationship. The two are Congolese and French speaking so they bonded over their similarities and their relationship as well as Kolenge’s with the other coaches on staff passed on to the rest of his family, “not only did he and coach (Jeff) Hafley text me but they also texted and spoke with my parents.” Tara-Kolenge commented, “With the thoughts I already had on the school that only helped me make the decision and I cannot wait to be an Eagle.”
The Montreal, Quebec native will not be the only Quebecer on Boston College’s football team though. He will join redshirt junior wide receiver Ezechiel Tieide who attended the same High School of Lachine, Quebec and played for the Dalbé-Viau Aigles D’Or. Ranked as a 4-star recruit Tara-Kolenge had many offers to choose from including those from Syracuse University, Indiana University, Virginia Tech, West Virginia University and Rutgers University who made it on his top 8 released in February.
With the opportunity now to suit up in the new uniforms that Boston College recently released Canadian linebacker Edwin Wilson Tara-Kolenge will be one step closer to achieving his goal of becoming an NFL player. He will be coached by defensive co-ordinator Tem Lukabu who served as the linebackers coach of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019, head coach Jeff Hafley who has 7 years of NFL coaching experience on the defensive side of the ball within the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, and San Francisco 49ers, linebackers coach Sean Duggan has the same coaching experiences. The Eagles have also had 5 players drafted into the NFL in the last 3 NFL Drafts including one first round pick in Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom and 2nd round pick A.J Dillon of the Green Bay Packers. “It’s a childhood dream come true.” Tara Kolenge told Jordan Zlomislic of JZ Media in an interview, “To be in a position like this where I am close to being a NFL player is awesome.”
Making his commitment to Boston College public not only silences other schools from recruiting him but lets him get back to the basics again. Edwin Tara-Kolenge said, “It’s great to be able to focus on myself, on getting better and focus on football again and not the recruiting process.” When talking about the recruiting process and his next opportunity to play football again across the border in the USA with Loomis Chaffee in Windsor, Connecticut he mentioned with a big smile on his face, “I am excited to be back on the field and showcase myself again. I will continue to develop and be the best football player I can be. When I am in Boston to play for Boston College I will be ready to make an impact.”
An impact sure will be made and with the recent history of Canadians going to the NFL Tara Kolenge has a very good chance of becoming a part of the list of Canadian first round NFL Draft picks if he stays on his path but thats isn’t what he’s thinking about just yet. He wants to be able to help Boston College win games as soon as he steps foot in Alumni Stadium. “It’s going to be amazing.” he said about the first time he gets to suit up as an Eagle, “I will be a hybrid linebacker, in and outside of the box. I will be able to play at edge as a pass rusher but also go into coverage as a linebacker. I really can’t wait to play there and eventually become an NFL player.”
JZ MEDIA 