We continue our position preview today by turning our attention to the wide receivers.
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You simply can’t replace an Antonio Gandy-Golden. Over the past two seasons, AGG was one of the best receivers in all of college football, as will be evidenced when he is drafted later this month in the NFL Draft. The Flames will need to utilize a committee approach to soften his loss.
Returning
CJ Yarbrough is just a redshirt-freshman that played in 4 games last season, but the sky is the limit for the 6’4″ product from Alabama. He has the potential to be the next star at wide receiver for the Flames, he just needs reps. He caught 6 passes for 124 yards in 2019 as a true freshman. He will be in the mix as a starter.
As a redshirt-freshman last year, Noah Frith was fourth on the team with 291 receiving yards behind AGG, DJ Stubbs, and Kevin Shaa. He also hauled in 3 touchdown passes, tied for 2nd most on the team. With AGG out of the room, Frith will be counted on outside in 2020 and will compete for a starting spot.
DJ Stubbs was 2nd on the team behind AGG with 32 receptions, 401 receiving yards, and 3 touchdowns. It’s hard to believe, but the small, shifty slot receiver is now a senior. He will continue to man the slot position.
Demario Douglas is another dynamic athlete who saw playing time in 4 games last season, but the coaching staff was able to preserve his year of eligibility. Now, as a redshirt-freshman, Douglas and Stubbs could see their reps split in the slot, and we could also see both on the field in certain packages.
Kevin Shaa is a redshirt-senior who was third on the team in 2019 in receiving with 26 receptions and 346 yards. He can play both on the outside and in the slot.
Khaleb Coleman battled through injuries in 2019. He played in 8 games, making 5 receptions for 47 yards. He has become a key member of the special teams unit and will vie for playing time on the outside at receiver.
Brody Brumm, Jack Beil, Michael Chorowicz, D’Wayne Crawford, Carlos Poole, and Cade Rowland also return for the Flames.
Newcomers
Jaivian Lofton was the top prospect on Liberty’s recruiting board for the 2019 class. The JUCO transfer can play both in the slot and on the outside. Expect an immediate impact out of Lofton in 2020. He had 37 receptions for 834 yards and 9 touchdowns at Chaffey Community College last year.
Ahmad Jackson was high on Liberty’s priority list in the 2019 recruiting class. The 3-star athlete from Sandy Creek High School in Atlanta had numerous offers including Power Five from Boston College, Indiana, and Ole Miss. He could see playing time as a true freshman.
CJ Daniels, also out of Georgia, joins the program. He finished his senior season with 1,411 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns on 93 receptions.
Outlook
Antonio Gandy-Golden was such a huge target and amazing receiver the past couple of seasons, but we may see some wideouts step up in his absence in 2020. The Flames have some experience and skill in the slot and a lot of young, talented pieces on the outside.
Hugh Freeze has always been able to find receivers to get the job done, and he has a number of former players who are now in the NFL. Despite the loss of AGG, the receiving corp should continue to be able to produce for the Flames.
