This is the first piece in a five-part series taking a look at Liberty football entering 2024 fall practices. Be sure to check back for the rest of this series throughout the week as we tackle a variety of Liberty football topics.

Liberty is set to open training camp with a practice on Wednesday morning, the first of 24 practices throughout the month of August leading up to kickoff on Aug. 31 against Campbell.

As the Flames prepare to compete for a second straight CUSA championship, here are our three biggest story lines entering camp:

HANDLING SUCCESS

Liberty had its most successful season in program history last fall, as the Flames went 13-0 in the regular season, winning Conference USA its first season in the league. The Flames also advanced to the program’s first ever New Year’s Six Bowl, playing in the Fiesta Bowl. How the team handles all the success it had last year will likely determine just how successful the team is this year.

Will the team still be motivated to do the extra work and pay attention to all the little details it needs to compete at such a high level? Or will all th at success go to their head and they “mail it in” during the offseason?

KAIDON SALTER IS BACK

After a very brief flirtation with the transfer portal back in January, Liberty QB Kaidon Salter is back. How good can he be this season? Can he replicate or even improve upon his 2023 season where he threw for 2,876 yards and rushed for 1,089 yards while combining for 44 touchdowns.

Can Salter make a push in the Heisman Trophy race? Will he have a season good enough to see his name skyrocket up NFL Draft boards? Can he lead the Flames to the College Football Playoff?

DANIELS, BEDGOOD REPLACEMENTS AT WR

It’s no secret the Liberty offense was very good in 2023. A lot of that was due to Salter, the offensive line, and the running backs, but part of that success also goes to the wide receivers, namely CJ Daniels and Aaron Bedgood. Those two are gone, as is Noah Frith, who will step up in their absence?

The Flames were very aggressive in the transfer portal trying to bring in options to help at receiver – think of Julian Gray, Elijah Canion, Donte Lee. Will their additions be able to help offset the losses Liberty sustained?