As ASOR was first to report earlier this year, Liberty wide receiver CJ Yarbrough is no longer on the football team. Multiple sources told ASOR at that time, that Yarbrough was no longer playing football. When reaching out to Liberty football, we were told that he had opted out of spring practice and would not be on the spring roster, leaving the door open for him to return. On Wednesday, during a press conference, Flames’ head coach Hugh Freeze helped clarify Yarbrough’s future.
“CJ is a great kid,” Freeze said when asked about Yarbrough. “I think his decision was made that he was going a different direction than college football. That is my understanding in my conversations with him. We respect that and wish the best for him.”
In a Facebook post on February 4th, Yarbrough stated, “Let’s clear the air now. I am in ROTC at Liberty University.”
The 6’3″, 205 pound receiver played in 11 games over the past two seasons with the Flames. He recorded 23 receptions for 392 yards and 1 touchdown. As a true freshman in 2019, the Tanner, Alabama product played in four games and had six receptions for 124 yards while preserving his redshirt season. In 2020, Yarbrough fought through injuries throughout the season to play in 7 games while making 6 starts. He finished the year with 17 receptions for 268 yards and 1 touchdown.
Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze has often spoken very highly of Yarbrough and his potential. In 2019, shortly after he broke out with four receptions and 83 yards to lead the Flames in receiving against Virginia, Freeze said he thought Yarbrough would eventually become a star.
“I think CJ’s going to be a star,” Freeze said in November 2019. “He’s shown it time and time again in practice. He is a great kid, loves to work, is a very outspoken leader. I think that’s something that’s going to be really good building our program around kids like him. Guys that are really strong in their faith, strong in who they are, and are willing to lead not only by actions but vocally.”
