When Coach Freeze arrived at Liberty two years ago, he made it a point to reshape the Flames’ roster as the program continued its re-classification from the FCS to the FBS. The primary position he targeted in this reshape was the defensive line.
In the past two recruiting classes, Freeze and his staff have brought in 4 JUCO transfers and 8 true freshmen into the defensive line room. A staggering total of 12 new scholarship players in just two recruiting cycles.
The result has led to a completely revamped unit that could threaten to be one of the team’s strengths this season.
“I’ve got to give a lot of credit to coach Aldridge and the defensive staff who have identified the type of body and player we want for that position,” Freeze said. “There is no doubt, it looks drastically different now than when I arrived and it’s very pleasing. I think we’ve got some young kids that are going to be very talented and add some depth to us and then you’ve got some of the older guys who have been around that makes for a good combination. I feel like that could be one of the strengths of our team.”
TreShaun Clark signed with Liberty as part of Freeze’s first signing class after originally committing when Turner Gill was still head coach. He exploded onto the scene as a true freshman last season, having arguably the best freshman season a defensive lineman has ever had at Liberty.
The Flames also brought in three JUCO transfers a year ago, a group that jump started the transformation of the room a year ago. Elijah James and William Green are two interior lineman who have immediately provided depth and size. This year, Liberty brought in the JUCO defensive end Durrell Johnson to help soften the loss of Jessie Lemonier who is currently in camp with the Chargers.
“Jesse had 10.5 sacks (last year),” said defensive line coach Josh Aldridge. “I would argue, if he would have played less snaps, he would have had even more. It was just we had no choice but to keep him in there.”
Led by TreShaun Clark and Durrell Johnson, the Flames have five pass rushers who are very skilled coming off the edge. Senior Jayod Sanders has beefed up to 245 pounds and will be part of that group, as will true freshman Stephen Sings and Aakil Washington.
Aldridge can also go bigger and stronger at defensive end with the likes of Austin Lewis and true freshmen Rashad Whitehead and Karsen Perkins.
“I think we’ve got plenty on the edge,” said Aldridge. “I think that hurt us in some games last year. Look at Jesse Lemonier, he was our best pass rusher, we just couldn’t afford to take him off the field no matter how tired he was. I think we will have a little more quality by having depth out there, being able to rotate guys.”
“Factor in all these freshmen that we brought in who are really good, they are really stinking good,” Aldridge continued. “I thought we had good freshmen last year, we’ve got just as good if not better ones this year, just from a natural ability for an 18 year old kid. I can see all them having a shot to play.”
One thing Aldridge has concentrated on the past two seasons is developing his linemen to be able to play multiple positions.
“Look at who we’re recruiting, we’re recruiting these frames, these big, long bodies,” he said. “Those guys can put on weight, play inside, play outside, and you can adjust week to week based on the team you’re playing. I just feel so much more confident in the pieces we have, to move them and the intelligence they have, I think that’s the difference – their intelligence of football and understanding our system year one to year two.”
In less than two years, Liberty’s coaching staff has completely reworked the defensive line from being a weakness to one of the team’s strongest position groups.
“I think our depth is good on the defensive line,” said Freeze. “That’s one position you want to have plenty of bodies at because it’s hard to win football games without enough defensive linemen.”
*photo courtesy Liberty Athletics
