We continue our position previews with a look at Liberty’s defensive line.
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Running Backs
Liberty’s defensive line was so young and inexperienced a year ago, but this season the Flames welcome back several key pieces. TJ Bush, CJ Bazile, Bryce Dixon, Jay Hardy, and even Chris Boti started games last season and all return.
“The main thing is you’ve got so many returners that were here a year ago and they were young and inexperienced,” said Liberty Co-Defensive Coordinator and DL Coach Skylor Magee. “Now, they are bigger, faster, stronger. They have been in the weight room with Coach Scott, OTA’s, learning and studying. That in itself makes it more competitive, but then when you bring in a bunch of transfers, it really throws some gasoline on the fire that was already lit.”
The biggest question for the Flames on the defensive line during training camp is who will make up the rotation among the reserves behind the expected starting front four. There are several names in the mix.
Frontrunners
DE 3 TJ Bush SO 6’2″ 255
TJ Bush started every game for the Flames as a true freshman last year. Now, he’s ready to take the next step as a leader and on the field in terms of his production.
DT 4 Jay Hardy SR 6’3″ 300
Hardy has seen playing time each of the past two seasons, becoming a part-time starter by the end of last year. Now, he steps into more of a leadership role and hopes to help anchor the defensive line group.
DL Coach Skylor Magee – “He’s a guy that gets in his own head sometimes. He just needs to go. If he goes, he is an NFL caliber defensive lineman. Sometimes he thinks too much and gets tired. He doesn’t go like he should go. When he goes, he is hard to block, he is hard to deal with on a consistent basis.”
DT 99 Bryce Dixon JR 6’1″ 270
Dixon started 13 games for Liberty at nose guard last season. He finished the year with 35 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. He also had 3 pass breakups and 3 QB hurries. Like many on the defensive line with him, it was his first season playing significant snaps and he should benefit greatly from that experience moving into 2024.
DL Coach Skylor Magee on both Hardy and Dixon – “The potential is huge, the expectations are probably even bigger. Both of them, they are healthy, they are hungry, they are fighting. It’s been really, really neat to see those guys compete.”
JOKER 11 CJ Bazile, Jr. JR 6’1″ 250
After starting all 14 games at Joker for Liberty last season and leading the team with 10.5 TFLs, Bazile was named the CUSA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
DL Coach Skylor Magee on both Bush and Bazile – “They are both a year older, a year stronger. They both have an understanding of the defense to where we’re not having to coach every single aspect of the game.”
Competition
DE 49 Grey Carroll SR 6’1″ 245
The former Georgia Tech transfer, Carroll was a key reserve last year, spelling TJ Bush throughout the season. He played in all 14 games, recording 15 tackles and 3.5 TFLs.
DT 92 Chris Boti JR 6’1″ 275
Boti filled in last year when Kendy Charles was injured, even starting several games. He also had to fight through some injuries, playing in 9 games on the season. Boti finished with 10 tackles, and one sack in 2023. He provides some experience and size to the interior of Liberty’s defensive line.
DL 97 Mike Jarvis JR 6’4” 290
A Wisconsin transfer, Jarvis is originally from Medford, New Jersey where he signed with the Badgers out of high school over offers from Duke, Florida State, Indiana, Nebraska, Rutgers, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Wake Forest, and others. After redshirting his true freshman season in 2021, Jarvis did not see any game action over the past two seasons at Wisconsin.
He has impressed the coaching staff during camp and is pushing to carve out a role for himself on the field.
DL Coach Skylor Magee – “Mike Jarvis has come in and done really well. He’s a really good culture guy. He came in, he fits the culture, he’s really smart, and he can play football.”
DT 90 Eliyt Nairne R-FR 6’1″ 295
Nairne got into three games last season, preserving his redshirt. He had 2 sacks despite the limited work. This year, he could be part of a consistent rotation on the interior of the defensive line as he continues to develop.
DL Coach Skylor Magee – ”Eliyt, going into his second year, he had a shoulder issue. Now, he’s been just lights out.”
DE 1 Larry Jones, III SO 6’1″ 240
Jones was one of the players the coaching staff was raving about last y ear during training camp. As a true freshman, he really impressed the staff with his ability to rush the passer. Unfortunately, he had to fight through injuries throughout his first season on campus, being limited to just 7 games played. Hopefully, Jones can stay healthy this year and make a significant impact on the field.
DL 18 Rod Daniels JR 6’2” 250
Daniels is a JUCO transfer who joins the Flames this season. Coming off an injury, he is beginning to get back to full speed and is pushing for playing time among the second string on the defensive line. He can play both on the edge and even line up on the interior of the line.
JOKER 17 Bryson Jennings SO 6’4″ 230
DE 27 Brenton Williams R-FR 6’3” 260
Jennings and Williams, each transfers from power conference teams, will be fighting for playing time at a defensive end position. They both have tremendous upside and could carve out a role on the team this season.
Depth
DL 93 Eli Hall R-SO 6’3” 260
JOKER 55 Donovan Dozier R-FR 6’2″ 245
DL 98 Weston Woodard FR 6’5” 240
DT 94 Nathan Pirolli SO 6’3″ 255
DL 91 Marius Landsfeld R-FR 6’4″ 260
