On Tuesday, just 24 hours after Liberty’s 2023 season came to an end with a loss to Oregon in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Flames’ quarterback Kaidon Salter entered the transfer portal.

Now, just a few days later, the Liberty signal caller has changed his mind, reversed course, is withdrawing from the portal and will be returning to Liberty for the 2024 season. This news was first reported by 247Sports and ASOR can confirm.

Salter has two years of eligibility remaining. He helped lead Liberty to unprecedented success in 2023 in his first year as the team’s starting quarterback. The Flames finished the year at 13-1 following a loss to Oregon on New Year’s Day in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. Salter completed 177 of 290 passes for 2,876 yards, 32 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He also rushed 163 times for 1,089 yards and 12 additional scores.

Salter, the Conference USA MVP, ranks fourth nationally in yards per attempt (9.92) and third in yards per completion (16.2). The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Salter had 1,125 passing yards and 337 rushing yards in his first two seasons at Liberty before taking over as full time starter this season.

Under first year head coach Jamey Chadwell and Co-OC and QB Coach Willy Korn, Salter took his game to the next level in 2023 while helping raise the Flames’ program to heights never before seen.

Salter’s announcement comes on the heels of several other Liberty players announcing they would run it back in 2024, led by RB Quinton Cooley, offensive linemen Xavior Gray, Jordan White, Chase Mitchell, tight end Bentley Hanshaw, and defensive tackle Bryce Dixon.

There’s still no official word from wide receiver CJ Daniels, roommates of Salter’s, who announced he was entering the portal earlier this week. Daniels was on a visit to Auburn on Friday.

With Salter’s return, Liberty will be a heavy favorite to win the 2024 CUSA Championship and will have an opportunity to compete for a coveted College Football Playoff spot in the expanded 12-team playoff.