Hopefully you caught our 2014 Look Ahead: Offense feature from last week as we continue our 2014 Look Ahead series with a look at the defensive side of the ball and special teams.
Defensive Line
#52 Chima Uzowihe 6’2″ 240 lbs Jr – started 12 games at DE, 43 tackles, 9 TFLs, 7 sacks
#95 Toby Onyechi 6’2″ 265 lbs R-Sr – started 7 games at DE, 25 tackles, 6 TFLs, 3.5 sacks
#76 JaRon Greene 6’2″ 295 lbs So – started 1 game at DT, 12 tackles, 2.5 TFLs
#91 Dylan Bowman 6’3″ 245 lbs R-Sr – 12 tackles, 2.5 TFLs
#90 Dominique Davis 6’5″ 250 lbs Sr – started 1 game, 6 tackles, 1 TFL
#96 Erwin Dessources 6’1″ 225 lbs R-So – 11 tackles, 6 TFLs, 2 sacks
#93 Gerald Holt 6”3″ 275 lbs R-So – 10 tackles, 1 sack
#98 Roger Bryan 6’1″ 270 lbs So – 3 tackles, 1 sack
#92 Nolan Spicer 6’3″ 260 lbs Jr – 2 tackles, 1 sack
#54 Leo Hunt 6’0″ 285 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
#66 Spencer Cook 6’1″ 260 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
#94 Marc Wilson 6’3″ 245 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
Uzowihe looks to anchor the Flames’ defensive front in 2014
Liberty will have to replace starting interior lineman Cory Freeman, Francis Bah, and Jibrille Fewell, but can rely on Chima Uzowihe and Toby Onyechi to anchor the front. Chima blossomed in his 2nd year with the Flames as he finished 2nd in the Big South with 7 sacks, but his stats don’t record all the havoc he caused in the backfield for opposing quarterbacks. With him, Onyechi, and Dominique Davis the Flames should be set at defensive end. There are gaps on the inside though, as Liberty hopes JaRon Greene and Dylan Bowman can help replace the aforementioned departures.
Linebacker
#45 Nick Sigmon 6’1″ 245 lbs R-Sr – started 12 games at MLB, 62 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 1 INT
#4 Bobby Partilla 6’0″ 215 lbs Sr – started 4 games at SLM, 17 tackles, 3 TFLs
#31 Andrew Jauch 6’0″ 200 lbs Sr – started 4 games at SLM, 19 tackles, 1.5 TFLs
#33 Jimmy O’Grady 6’0″ 235 lbs R-Jr – 30 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT
#59 Dylan Lewellyn 6’1″ 205 lbs Sr – 20 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 sack
#22 Dallas Griffiths 6’2″ 225 lbs R-So – 2 tackles
#55 Dexter Robbins 5’11” 215 lbs So – 8 tackles
#47 Zach Schreiber 6’1″ 210 lbs R-Jr – 1 tackle, 0.5 TFL
Nick Sigmon enters his 4th season as starter
The Flames lose Scott Hyland who was an anchor at outside linebacker from 3 years, but return all other contributors at linebacker in 2014. Obviously led by Nick Sigmon who will be starting for his 4th consecutive season at the Mike Linebacker spot. Bobby Partilla and Andrew Jauch platooned much of the year at one outside backer spot and will likely do the same next season. If Dallas Griffiths can remain healthy, which he’s been unable to do his first 2 years at Liberty, he will be the early favorite to replace Hyland as a starter.
Safety
#27 Jacob Hagen 6’3″ 205 lbs Sr – started 11 games, 61 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 6 INTs
#5 Gary Sampson 5’11” 190 lbs So – 17 tackles, 1 INT
#9 Nick Newman 6’4″ 210 lbs So – started 1 game, 15 tackles
#29 Miles Hunter 5’10” 195 lbs Jr – 10 tackles
#37 Charles Williams 6’0″ 190 lbs R-So – 3 tackles
#44 Joshua Yoda 6’0″ 190 lbs Sr – no stats recorded
Jacob Hagen had a team high 6 interceptions in 2013
Jacob Hagen became an all-conference performer at Safety for the Flames in 2013, and he will be expected to lead the secondary in his senior season. Liberty must replace Aaron Dial who started all 12 games at the Safety opposite Hagen. Looking to step into that spot is rising sophomore Gary Sampson. Sampson made a lasting impression in his first season of college ball as he recorded 17 tackles and took his lone interception back to the house for a pick-6.
Cornerback
#14 Kenny Scott 5’10” 175 lbs Sr – started 5 games, 45 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 3 INTs
#21 Wesley Scott 5’11” 185 lbs So – 33 tackles, 0.5 TFL
#24 Chris Robinson 5’9″ 165 lbs R-Jr – 9 tackles, 1 TFL
#25 Ray Ferguson 5’9″ 160 lbs R-So – 1 tackle
#16 Lorenzo Hoff 5’9″ 180 lbs Sr – no stats recorded
#6 Tyrin Holloway 6’0″ 180 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
#23 Justin Guillory 6’0″ 175 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
Lunsford struggled much of 2013
The strength of the Flames’ stout defense in 2013 was their all-conference cornerbacks Walt Aikens and Kevin Fogg. Defensive coordinator Robert Wimberly could trust Aikens and Fogg to not get beat by putting them in single coverage while blitzing. The Scott’s (no relation) will look to replace Aikens & Fogg. Both Kenny and Wesley had very productive 2013 campaigns. Kenny now has a couple years of solid experience under his belt primarily playing nickel back. Depth at the position will need to be developed.
Kicker
#49 John Lunsford 6’1″ 180 lbs Jr – 53/53 PATs, 8/19 FGs
#87 Shane Blanchard 5’10” 185 lbs Sr – 6/6 PATs
One of the biggest questions facing Turner Gill & company entering the offseason, is John Lunsford. Will he rebound from his late season struggles? Lunsford has the leg, but his accuracy has been called into question following his 8/19 on field goals in 2013.
Punter
#35 Trey Turner 5’11” 195 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
Who will replace Grant Bowden at punter?
Summary
If Liberty’s interior defensive lineman can hold their own, the Flames should have a good defense again in 2014. Will it be as good as 2013’s? Not likely, but they shouldn’t have to be.
