Update 1:11 pm: The News & Advance states, “James was dismissed from the team by Flames coach Turner Gill for violating team policy.”
The Liberty football online roster has been updated, and, as we have been hearing for several days, a few key contributors are no longer on the roster. Some of the few prominent names no longer on the team include safety A.J. James, fullback Buddy Edwards, and kicker Avery Echols.
James was a rising junior safety from Duncan, South Carolina. According to sources close to the football program, the coaching staff parted ways with James for undisclosed reasons. He finished the 2015 season 2nd on the team with 71 tackles while starting in 10 games. As a true freshman, he saw playing time in 13 of 14 games while finishing the year with 19 tackles.
Edwards saw 7 carries for 32 yards in his first season playing for Liberty in 2015. He redshirted in 2014. A source states, in new offensive coordinator Joe Dailey’s offense, the fullback will not be utilized in the running game. Edwards would like to be used in short-yardage situations, and has decided to transfer.
Echols, a rising junior, played in 2 games in 2014 while Lunsford was serving a suspension. He was a perfect 5/5 on PATs and made a 22-yard field goal. He has transferred to Grand Valley State, a Division II school closer to his hometown of Zeeland, Michigan.
Others no longer listed on the roster include offensive lineman Will Smith and James Passmore, wide receiver Ryan McCarter, and defensive tackle Javon Majors. Smith transferred to Liberty from Wake Forest prior to the 2015 season. He was injured during practice and never saw playing time with the Flames. Passmore is an offensive lineman from Dallas, North Carolina. He didn’t see much playing time in 2015 after redshirting the 2014 season. McCarter had 1 reception for 3 yards during his 4 year career with the Flames. After redshirting in 2014, Majors saw playing time in 7 games, including 2 starts in 2015. He finished the season with 4 tackles.
The full list of those no longer listed on the roster:
CB Khaleel Carrington
DE Dane Dabney
K Avery Echols
FB Buddy Edwards
CB Ray Ferguson
OL Jeff Fox
S Avery “AJ” James
RB Emmanuel Johnson
QB Danell Leonard
S Jon Magloire
DT Javon Majors
WR Ryan McCarter
OL James Passmore
OL Will Smith
OL Jacques Thomas
OL Kalili Tulifua
