We continue our look of Liberty’s offensive position groups today with a preview of the wide receivers.
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Offensive Line
Defensive Line
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Corners
Special Teams
CJ Daniels. Noah Frith. Aaron Bedgood. Elijah Smoot. They’re all gone. That group combined for 104 receptions, 1,831 yards, and 17 touchdowns or about 64% of Liberty’s production at wide receiver last year.
Those familiar names are gone and the Flames are looking for new pieces to fit together and help form one of the more potent offenses in the country. That’s what Liberty had last season, and, with Kaidon Salter returning at quarterback as well as several newcomers at the other positions on the offensive side of the ball, if Liberty can figure out the puzzle at wide receivers, the Flames should return to another potent offensive attack once again.
Frontrunners
WR 21 Treon Sibley SR 6’1” 210
While there will be mainly new faces contributing at wide receiver for the Flames this season, one holdover remains and that is Treon Sibley. He actually was second on the team in receiving last year with 23 catches for 467 yards and 4 scores. He’s never been a go-to option or even possession receiver, but that could change this season.
WR Coach Tony Washington – “Moving him to the outside and allow him to kind of show some of his explosive play making ability, I think that’s going to be good for us this year.”
WR 8 Tyson Mobley R-JR 6’0” 180
Mobley is a veteran receiver who comes to Liberty from Coastal Carolina, so you know he knows the offensive system. He had 54 catches for 652 yards and 7 touchdowns in 35 games over the 2020-23 seasons. He made his presence known quickly in the spring game, caching a deep pass from Salter and coasting into the end zone. He’s been working primarily with the first team offense as he continues working towards building chemistry with the Liberty quarterback.
WR Coach Tony Washington – “Really good route runner, comes across the middle makes a lot of tough catches, great hands.”
WR 1 Julian Gray JR 5’11” 190
The NC State transfer joined the Flames this summer and the expectations are high. He made a name for himself as a kick returner for the Wolfpack, but also caught 30 passes for 293 yards and a touchdown over three seasons playing in the ACC. While he will play a hand in the return game for Liberty, Gray will also be counted on at slot receiver. He could be a game-changing player for the Flames and is in the mold of former Liberty star Demario Douglas. How big of an impact will he have on the field this season, we will have to wait and see.
Competition
WR 5 Elijah Canion R-JR 6’4” 220
Canion has the size Liberty lacks among its wide receivers. He has struggled through injuries throughout his collegiate career which began at Auburn and continued at Purdue. If he can stay healthy, he will certainly have the opportunity to make an impact for the Flames. The coaching staff has talked positively about Canion’s ability to make difficult catches throughout camp.
WR Coach Tony Washington – “I think he’s got a chance to be really special this year. You don’t get a chance to coach a 6’3”-6’4” 220 pound receiver. Just by his physique, he’s very naturally physical. He runs well. He’s got great hands, doesn’t drop the ball very often. He’s gonna be a really good player for us. I see his role being as big as he wants it to be.”
WR 11 Darius Copeland R-FR 6’0″ 190
We’ve talked a good bit about Copeland throughout camp. He has a chance to be a breakout star for the Flames beginning this season. He is a slot receiver and could end up playing a similar role to that of Aaron Bedgood from last year’s team. The coaches will likely look to find ways to get the ball into Copeland’s hands.
WR 9 Donte Lee, Jr. R-SO 6’3” 175
Lee is a talented prospect who comes to Liberty from Division II Shaw University. He was highly pursued in the transfer portal before landing with the Flames. He is fighting for playing time at the position, and is one of the fastest players on the team.
WR 14 Kylen Austin JR 6’0″ 165
Austin made an impression on the coaching staff when they first got to campus last year. He pushed for playing time last year, ending up playing at times in the slot. This year, Austin has another year of experience under his belt and hopes that will help him find more time on the field.
WR Coach Tony Washington – “Kylen’s really coming along. Kylen’s made a lot of really big plays down the field.”
WR 6 Reese Smith JR 5’10” 190
Smith came to Liberty from West Virginia a year ago with high expectations. He was expected to immediately compete for a starting spot, but a knee injury in the offseason derailed those plans. He was unable to fully practice in the spring and was a slow go early in camp, but he is slowly but surely working his way back towards game speed. If he is able to provide anything for the Flames this season it would be an added bonus and could really boost the wide receiver corps.
WR Coach Tony Washington – “He’s still trying to get through, but he’s had some good spurts in camp. Really the main thing with him is going slow. Everybody in this building knows what Reese can do. We know what kind of player he is. It’s really just making sure that when he comes back, that he’s 100% healthy and 100% confident and know he can do it out on the field.”
Depth
WR 81 Markel Fortenberry SO 6’4″ 205
You can’t coach 6’4” and Fortenberry has the size to make an impact for the Flames on the outside. A young receiver, he has yet to put it all together, but could this be the year that he figures it out?
(INJURED) WR 13 Victor Jones, Jr. SO 6’1″ 200
Jones each transferred to Liberty from Nebraska a year ago, before suffering an injury in the summer forcing him to miss the entire year. He has had a setback and is not fully practicing yet.
WR 16 Eric Smith FR 5’9” 175
WR 80 Jon Monteiro FR 6’2” 185
Head Coach Jamey Chadwell – “I do like our young receivers, Jon Monteiro, Eric Smith, have done a nice job. I think they’ve got a chance to do some good things down the line here.”
WR 89 Jamauri Knox FR 5’9” 160
WR 29 Cesar Carrasco FR 5’10” 160
WR 87 Caleb Botchway SO 6’2″ 185
WR 27 Clayton Shepler FR 5’11” 170
WR 88 Carson Vines FR 5’11” 160
WR 22 Coleman Baker SO 5’11” 175
