Liberty placed 16 players on Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Independent team, led by four Flames who were named to the first team, including five on the first team. The Flames’ 16 total selections leads all FBS Independent teams with Notre Dame’s 12 selections being the second most.
QB Malik Willis, OL Tristan Schultz, DE Durrell Johnson, CB Marcus Haskins, and PR Demario Douglas leads the way for the Flames on Phil Steele’s first-team Preseason All-Independent team. On the second team, RB Joshua Mack, WR DJ Stubbs, TE Johnny Huntley, OL Brendan Schlittler, DT Ralfs Rusins, DT Elijah James, DE TreShaun Clark, S Javon Scruggs, K Alex Barbir, KR Shedro Louis, and LS Austin Mock got the nod.
BYU had the third most selections among all Independents with 10 behind the Flames and the Irish followed by Army’s nine honorees. New Mexico State placed five while Connecticut and Massachusetts each had four selections. Notre Dame led the way with eight first team selections followed by BYU’s seven first team honorees. Liberty was tied for the third most first team selections as Army also had five.
In his first season starting at quarterback for the Flames, Willis led all FBS quarterbacks with 944 rushing yards to go along with his 14 rushing touchdowns. He completed 64.2% of his passes for 2,260 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Schultz has started the last two seasons at left tackle for the Flames. The Super Senior is back for his fifth season on campus and looks to build off a solid 2020 season where he has been on the radar of NFL Scouts.
Joining the Flames in 2020 as a JUCO transfer, Johnson instantly became one of the best pass rushers in the country. He led the team with 11.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks to go along with his 38 tackles, six quarterback hurries, and one interception.
Also a JUCO transfer in his first season with Liberty in 2020, Haskins began the year at safety before being moved to corner as the season progressed. He ended up starting nine games and finished the season with 30 tackles, five PBUs, and one interception.
Not only is Douglas one of Liberty’s most explosive wide receivers, he’s also very dangerous in the return game. He averaged 11.1 yards per punt return with a 73-yard touchdown return in 2020.
Mack returns from a 2020 season where he led Liberty’s running backs with 797 rushing yards. Stubbs was Liberty’s returning receiver last season with 38 receptions for 523 yards. Huntley started all 11 games at tight end, finishing the year with 15 receptions for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Schlittler broke into a starting position at right guard in 2020.
Liberty’s entire starting defensive line was named to a Phil Steele preseason team as Rusins, James, and Clark join Johnson in the selection. Scruggs was the team’s leading tackler last season with 69 and tied for the team lead with two interceptions. Barbir, Louis, and Mock all return as starters on Liberty’s special teams units.
Liberty is scheduled to begin the 2021 season at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia on Saturday, Sept. 4 against Campbell. The Flames are hoping to build off a 2020 campaign where the team finished 10-1 and ranked No. 17 in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll following Liberty’s win over Coastal Carolina in the Cure Bowl.
