Liberty’s 2023 spring practice is in the books. The Flames wrapped up its spring season on Saturday with the annual spring game on a warm afternoon at Williams Stadium. Life under head coach Jamey Chadwell has begun and there are many questions throughout the roster and position groups heading into the 2023 season.
Below are 10 things we learned from Liberty’s spring practice and spring game.
QUESTIONS REMAIN AT QUARTERBACK
Entering spring practice, Coach Chadwell was hopeful and confident he will be able to figure out some things at quarterback over the course of the 15 practices. That didn’t happen as the Flames end the spring without a definite solution at the position.
Johnathan Bennett, Kaidon Salter, Trey Lowe, and Nate Hampton all had their highs and lows during the spring, and Chadwell mentioned that he wouldn’t shy away from pursuing a quarterback in the portal this spring.
NEW OFFENSE WILL FEATURE 2 RB SETS
Something that we haven’t seen in a long time at Liberty, the new offense for the Flames under Coach Chadwell will feature two running back sets frequently. The A-Back and B-Back will be prominent in the spread, triple option offense. For this reason, Liberty was very active in pursuing transfers this past offseason, as we saw Wake Forest transfer Quinton Cooley and Arkansas transfer James Jointer, Jr. join the team. Add in true freshman Vaughn Blue and there is much more depth at the position than we have seen in a while.
VAUGHN BLUE HAS EMERGED AS LEGITIMATE THREAT AT RB
With Dae Dae Hunter returning and the additions of Cooley and Jointer at running back, it was expected that incoming true freshman Vaughn Blue would likely redshirt in 2023. Well, that doesn’t appear to be the case and Blue could be a starter in the backfield when the season begins.
KYLEN AUSTIN SURPRISED AT WR
Redshirt-freshman Kylen Austin took a huge step forward this spring. He went from almost being an afterthought at the position to working with the first team most of the spring. Can he capitalize on that this summer and remain a key piece of Liberty’s rotation at receiver.
DEPTH A CONCERN AT WR
The Flames will need some help at receiver as the coaching staff navigates the transfer portal. In addition to Austin, Liberty also has CJ Daniels, Noah Frith, and Treon Sibley returning and they should provide some help. Incoming transfers Reese Smith and Errol Rogers will also factor into the playing time there, but expect there to be some additions prior to the start of the season.
WVU TRANSFERS WILL MAKE IMMEDIATE IMPACT
In addition to Reese Smith at receiver, Jordan White has also joined the Liberty roster this spring as transfers from West Virginia. Both are expected to make huge impacts on the team immediately. Smith could threaten to be the team’s top target at receiver while White is likely to solidify a starting spot on the offensive line. He worked at center throughout the spring and could remain there or slide over to a guard spot if needed.
OL COULD USE A TRANSFER OR TWO
The Flames will need some help on the offensive line in the transfer portal this spring to help solidify the position and add depth. With Reggie Young entering the transfer portal, someone who worked with the first team at left tackle throughout the spring, that need has only amplified.
QUINTON REESE HAS EMERGED AS A TEAM LEADER
We knew Quinton Reese would be counted on as one of the team’s top players at safety, but he also emerged this spring as a team leader.
CJ YARBROUGH IS NO LONGER WITH THE TEAM
Wide receiver CJ Yarbrough did not practice with the team this spring as he is no longer on the team. Yarbrough would have provided another weapon at receiver and, at the very least, help with depth at the position.
TJ BUSH COULD START AS A TRUE FRESHMAN
True freshman TJ Bush is another name to keep an eye on. He originally was committed to Coastal Carolina, but he instead signed with the Flames after the coaching change. Bush will not only fight for playing time, he also has a change to start at defensive end during his first season at Liberty.
