We conclude our position previews with a look at Liberty’s safeties. Be sure to go back and check out any of the previous previews from the past couple of weeks as we inch towards kickoff of the 2024 season.
Previous:
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
Linebackers
Corners
Special Teams
Brylan Green and Quinton Reese lead a talented group of safeties that were a very productive group for the Flames last season. A couple newcomers and a few returning players without considerable experience will look to provide the needed depth and production for Liberty to round out the safety position. Liberty safeties coach Aaron Fierbaugh says there are eight guys that he trusts in his room entering the season.
Frontrunners
S 15 Brylan Green JR 5’9″ 170
After a strong true freshman campaign, Green had a breakout year two on the Mountain, as he earned multiple All-American honors for his contributions. He played in 13 games but only started three, yet he was on the field most of the season. The safety finished the year with 38 tackles and led the team with 6 interceptions and was second with eight pass breakups. Now, he’s a team leader and hoping to take even more of a step forward with his play on the field.
Safeties Coach Aaron Fierbaugh – “Something we explained to him in the offseason – there are a lot of eyes on you because you performed well last year and got some interceptions and had a good season. I think he’s got to be aware all the time, whether he wants it or not, there are people in my room and on our defense and our team that are looking to see what he’s doing.”
S 16 Quinton Reese SR 6’0″ 190
Q-Reese is a team leader and veteran, playing in his fifth season for the Flames. Last year, he started all 14 games, finishing with 55 tackles and 2 picks. Liberty knows what to expect from their senior leader and captain.
S 14 Elijah Auguste R-JR 5’9″ 185
Auguste, a walk-on, played in 13 games last year, finishing with 6 tackles, as he primarily saw time on special teams. That doesn’t appear to be the case this coming season though, as Auguste is not only pushing for playing time but could also find himself as a starter at safety for the Flames.
Safeties Coach Aaron Fierbaugh – “He’s probably our most consistent guy, just day to day practicing the same, same attitude, same mentality. He will do whatever is needed for the team. He was a very important piece on special teams (last year), he will continue to do that, but I think as you go, he kind of just becomes a little bit undeniable. You practice good every single day for two years and you do what you are supposed to do when you are in there, it leads to more opportunities.”
Competition
S 29 A’Khori Jones JR 5’10” 195
Jones has made a big impact on the field for the Flames during his first two seasons in the program. He’s played in 23 games with 34 tackles and 2 pass breakups. He is pushing this season for significant playing time and perhaps even a starter role in the secondary.
S 2 Eldric Griffin JR 5’11” 200
Griffin transferred to Liberty prior to spring ball and he is hoping to break into the starting lineup this fall. He was one of the top recruits out of JUCO this past cycle, coming to the Flames from Tyler Community College where he had 31 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.
S 21 Marquis Bell JR 5’11” 190
Bell played in 10 games last year, finishing with 15 tackles and 3 pass deflections. He has spent some of his time at Liberty going back and forth between the safety and corner position, but seems to have settled in here at corner.
S 32 Jabin Ford SO 5’11” 170
Ford played in 4 games last season for the Flames, he first season on campus. He is pushing for playing time in the secondary for Liberty this season.
S 31 Christian Bodnar R-FR 5’11” 175
Bodnar redshirted for the Flames last year, but, in the spring, he began to make a push for consistent playing time this coming season. He has seen time during practice at both corner and safety.
Depth
S 12 Jason Duclona R-FR 6’1” 170
S 36 Damond Harmon JR 6’0” 180
Harmon is a former four-star recruit out of Highland Springs High School in Richmond. He spent his first two seasons at Oklahoma, suffering a very scary injury in October 2022 in the fourth quarter of a game at TCU. The injury occurred as he made a tackle, leaving him motionless, requiring immobilization before he was carted off the field. He was transported to a local Fort Worth hospital where he was treated and released later that day. After the 2022 season, Harmon entered the transfer portal. He ended up taking classes at a community college last year while not playing football. This season, Harmon is getting back into game shape as he hopes to rejuvenate his playing career at Liberty.
S 7 Devin Henderson FR 5’10” 190
S 37 Tromontez Booker JR 5’11” 160
S 38 Tre Lawing SO 6’0″ 200
S 39 Dylan Mullins SO 5’11” 180
