Liberty signed an impressive class on Wednesday and more is expected before this class is finalized in February. Here’s a look at a few superlatives for the class as the early signing period and majority of the 2021 Liberty recruiting class comes to a close.
Highest Ceiling
The 3-star linebacker Kaci Seegars was a surprise early on signing day. The former Texas A&M commit was someone Liberty had at the top of their list of linebackers in this class. He visited campus before COVID back in the spring before he got a bunch of Power Five offers. He will be slotted in at Will linebacker for the Flames, could play immediately, and has a chance to change the look of the Liberty defense.
Most Underrated
The coaching staff is very high on JUCO TE transfer Stetson Moore, but for some reason his name doesn’t move the needle much among the fan base. Maybe it’s because tight end isn’t a sexy position, but this guy is a great talent. He will be a tough matchup for most of Liberty’s opponents and someone the Flames can flex out to wide receiver.
Early Impact
It’s hard to choose only one as many of these signees will play from day one. The top two that come to mind though are FBS transfers TJ Green and Rashaad Harding. The RB Green joins the Flames from Utah, and he will immediately fight for playing time in that room. Depending on whether or not Joshua Mack and Peytton Pickett come back, he could be the bell cow of the room. Freeze likened him to Frankie Hickson as a do it all type of back. Harding is an LB transfer from ULM. If Anthony Butler returns next season, the two of them will split most of the time at the Mike. If Butler does not return, look for Harding to see the bulk of the snaps there.
Biggest Get
A lot of the signees could fall into this category, but we will go with Skyler Thomas. The Washington State safety transfer who has 151 tackles and 6 interceptions in his career in the PAC-12. He’s started 25 games over the past two seasons for the Cougars.
Biggest Miss
Liberty had an early commitment from WR Gamarion Carter. He was flipped just in the last week or so to Vanderbilt.
Biggest Surprise
A few could go in this category but Seegars and Thomas fit the bill as the biggest surprise. The Flames were able to sway Seegars after things fell through for him at Texas A&M. Freeze and the Flames’ staff were working him and his dad late into the night on Tuesday. Thomas is a guy no one had on their radar
Most Committed
OL Harrison Hayes was the very first commit of the class and he stayed with the Flames and Liberty stayed with him. He helped build the class to what it was and stayed with the program even as his high school teammate Miguel Jackson had his offer pulled from Liberty.
Most Athletic
Kylen Austin is the highest rated wide receiver that has ever signed with the program. The 6’1″ receiver from Baltimore, Maryland has the intangibles to make an impact with the program early. He chose Liberty over several FBS offers including Virginia and Virginia Tech.
Strongest Man
Andrew Adair. The 6’4″, 310 offensive lineman can move people, as Coach Freeze said.
Future Captain
QB Nate Hampton has all the intangibles to be a great leader and quarterback in the program. The size, athletic ability, arm strength, accuracy, as well as the leadership traits that are needed. He will have time to sit behind Malik Willis for at least one season, possibly two, and adjust to the college game before having a chance to push for the starting job.
Most Likely to be a high NFL Draft Pick
No way we could go through this entire list of superlatives and not mention the highest rated signee in school history in Khristian Zachary. The ESPN top 300 recruit has a change to make an instant impact at defensive end for the Flames.
