Liberty’s defensive coordinator Scott Symons held his first media session of training camp on Friday as he provided an update on the Flames’ defensive progress through the first week of camp. There was one theme he kept coming back to when describing his unit – depth.
“I think our depth, our talent is really good,” said Symons. “I just feel like we have depth overall at every position where some of the last couple years we haven’t. I’m excited overall with the depth that we have.”
The Flames’ defense has continued to show improvement under Symons watch as the defense has improved from allowing 36.8 points per game in 2018, the year prior to Symons taking over, a number that dropped to 28.1 points per game in Symons’ first year at Liberty in 2019, and it was down to 20.5 points per game in 2020.
Liberty will look to continue that trend of improvement in 2021 despite playing what Symons calls a more challenging schedule, particularly for some of the offenses the team will face this year. The Flames return 10 of 11 starters from last year’s squad and also return most of the two-deep across the board on defense.
It all starts up front with the defensive line for every defense but especially for the Flames. Since Hugh Freeze was hired and brought in this defensive coaching staff, they have prioritized recruiting the defensive line and it is beginning to pay dividends.
Liberty is led up front by returning starters at defensive end Durrell Johnson and TreShaun Clark and on the inside at defensive tackle and nose guard in Elijah James and Ralfs Rusins. Behind this talented group, the Flames can also turn to Henry Chibueze on the inside for a healthy three-man rotation while youngsters Aakil Washington and Stephen Sings at defensive end.
“D-Line is probably our deepest group,” Symons said on Friday. “Really, really talented up front. That’s where everything starts. If you can’t stop the run, then it’s a tough day. I think we’ve got a chance to be really special. As those big guys go, we go.”
The Flames also had a late addition in transfer Jay Hardy from Auburn. He was a heavily recruited defensive tackle out of high school who did not see any playing time during his true freshman year at Auburn last year until the bowl game as he dealt with a lingering foot injury. He has been at camp all week and going through practice with the Flames. It’s still unknown if he will get on the field this year as his transfer is still being finalized.
“He’s got a lot of talent,” Symons said of Hardy. “We’ve got to get him in shape. He knows that, but I’m excited to see what the future holds, whether that’s this year or next year remains to be seen. The talent is definitely there. I think the attitude is there. Once Coach Dom and his staff have some time to get with him, I think he’s got a really high ceiling.”
Symons’ position group, linebacker, will have to replace starter Anthony Butler who played virtually the entire season for the Flames. Liberty will turn to a couple other transfers to help boost the depth at the position, adding Louisiana Monroe transfer Rashaad Harding and Storey Jackson from Prairie View A&M. Those two will go alongside returners Tyren Dupree and Aaron Pierre. True freshman Ahmad Walker will also factor into the rotation, as well.
“I think he could start for us, that remains to be seen,” Symons said of Walker. “We’ve got a great position battle going in that room. I think we’re going to play a lot of guys, whether he starts or not we will see how camp plays out. He’s extremely confident. He was an alpha dog at his high school, team that won a state championship, one of the best programs in Georgia, and he’s brought that confidence with him. I love that about him.”
At corner, Duron Lowe has been added to a group that will include returning starters Chris Megginson and Marcus Haskins. All three will see plenty of time while the Flames continue to develop its depth behind them.
“Duron Lowe, I think is playing really well,” said Symons. “I think he’s coming along really well. He’s added 20 pounds since he got here this spring. I think he has a chance to be a difference maker for us back there.”
The Flames’ safeties will also have more depth than we have seen in recent seasons. Led by Javon Scruggs, Cedric Stone, Quinton Reese, and Juawan Treadwell also return to a deep and talented group. Washington State transfer Skyler Thomas and JUCO transfer Rocket Rahimi will also factor into the rotation on the back end.
“I think our depth is really strong,” Symons said of his safeties under first year safeties coach Jack Curtis. “Scruggs has played a lot of snaps. Ced Stone has played a lot of snaps. Quinton Reese played a lot of snaps last year, but then other guys like Rocket Rahimi, guys that we are really excited about and what they can bring to the table.”
Symons said Thomas can be a difference maker for the Liberty secondary. He’s the fastest player on the defense and can be used in multiple roles – playing man coverage, blitzing off the edge, etc. Symons likened Thomas to a swiss army knife on the defense.
“I think part of being successful as a program is developing a culture where it’s the team over me,” Symons said. “I don’t think that’s easy for these guys nowadays where social media and everything else always tells them it’s all about me. I think for the most part, we have a very humble group of young men who have put this program and our defense in front of their needs. When guys do that, we can all reap the reward and success.”
