Late last week, Liberty’s defensive coordinator Scott Symons met with the media to provide an update on the Flames’ defense heading into the 2020 season.
In the Flames’ first year under Symons in 2019, Liberty held opponents to 28.1 points per game, down significantly from the 36.8 points the Flames allowed in 2018. Symons and his defensive staff look to see those numbers continue to their positive trend in 2020.
“I think we’re really talented on defense,” said Symons. “I think we can really run.”
Despite losing undrafted NFL signee Jessie Lemonier, Liberty’s defensive line should continue to be much improved. Led by sophomore TreShaun Clark at defensive end, the Flames have a wealth of talent and depth up front, Though still young and somewhat inexperienced, this unit should continue to improve and could be the strength of the defense in 202.
“I think it starts with our D-Line,” said Symons. “I think our talent on the D-Line is considerably better than it was initially and even last year. I think our depth’s a lot better. I think we will have some of those freshmen play and help us. We’re very raw there still. We’ve got to learn the fundamentals, especially with those young guys, but it starts up front. I think Coach Aldridge has done a great job recruiting at that position.”
Liberty has brought in 12 scholarship defensive line players in the past two recruiting cycles, including several Junior College transfers, completely revamping the look of that unit. Elijah James and Ralfs Rusins will provide experience and size in the middle, while Clark, Austin Lewis, Durrell Johnson, and Jayod Sanders will anchor the very deep defensive end spots.
The Flames have suffered multiple losses at linebacker going back to last season. Starters Solomon Ajayi and Brandon Tillmon have exhausted their eligibility and Remington Green and Aubrey Williams are no longer on the roster. Further, Liberty suffered a crucial loss when Amarii Jenkins was lost to a serious leg injury which could cause him to miss the entire 2020 season.
Charlotte grad transfer Anthony Butler, Tyren Dupree, Malik Caper, and Aaron Pierre make up the 2-deep right now. Not necessarily household Liberty names.
“We’ve got some new guys that didn’t play as many snaps for us that are really coming on,” Symons said of his linebackers. “We’ve just got to keep coming on there, but I feel good about what we have in that room. We don’t have a lot of depth in that room right now. We’re probably under-scholarship there still, but I do remain optimistic.”
Another name we’ve heard a lot of during camp so far is walk-on Carl Poole. He’s been getting reps with the 2nd and 3rd string during camp and could be counted on in situations this season.
At corner, Liberty has also lost some key pieces from the 2019 campaign as Bejour Wilson got a sniff in NFL camp with the Arizona Cardinals and Kei’Trel Clark transferred to Louisville.
“We’re young, but I think we are talented,” Symons said of the corners. “We are not incredibly deep there either. That will be another position where we’ve got to continue to add depth. I’ve seen some progress in that room. I think we’ve just got to keep on. I think Coach Hunley has done a great job with those guys. I think we’ve recruited really good at that room, as well.”
Jimmy Faulks, Emanuel Dabney, Chris Megginson, and Isaiah Avery entered camp at the top of the depth chart. We’ve heard glowing remarks of the true freshmen Quinton Reese and Deon Biggins who are both expected to contribute this year.
Javon Scruggs leads a safety position that will look much different than what Liberty trotted out in 2019. Scruggs, who has quickly become one of the leaders on the team, has dealt with what has been labeled as nagging injuries early in camp but has been back on the practice field for over a week.
NC State transfer Tim Kidd-Glass is fighting for a starting spot at Rover alongside sophomore Micah Glaize from local Brookville High School. JUCO transfers Juawan Treadwell and Marcus Haskins will also provide some valuable depth at safety and both could end up starting several games this season.
“Marcus Haskins is a guy that has jumped out,” said Symons. “He has tremendous ball skills. I think he’s a difference maker for us in the middle of the field.”
Former walk-on Ben Alexander is following in the steps of Elijah Benton. From a walk-on, special teams player to a starter and leader in the secondary.
“Ben Alexander I think has had a good four days,” Symons said of his first four practices in camp. “I think he’s improved his game. He’s a guy that made a lot of plays for us in the bowl game and, honestly, should have played more throughout the season. When I went back and re-evaluated, he was a guy that I felt like had progressed from the fall to the end, and he is playing with a lot of confidence right now.”
Despite several key departures and a lot of inexperience across his unit, Symons is confident his defense will be improved from 2019.
“A lot of new parts, a lot of moving parts, but I think we’re faster as a team,” Symons said. “I just think we’ve got to grow in our system and the fundamentals of the game.”
