The start of the 2023 football season is quickly approaching and the start of training camp is right around the corner. The Flames are scheduled to open the season on September 2 against Bowling Green.
First year head coach Jamey Chadwell will look to guide the program into Conference USA while also looking to make a 5th straight bowl game.
Here’s a look at our projected depth chart prior to the start of training camp:
Quarterback: Johnathan Bennett (RJr.)
Backup: Kaidon Salter (RSo.)
Bennett and Salter seemed to have put a little bit of separation between themselves and the rest of the quarterback room. I think Bennett will likely end up getting the nod to start week 1, but that could obviously change during training camp. Salter obviously has a huge ceiling, we will see how quickly he can learn the new system. Will Trey Lowe, Nate Hampton, or true freshman Reese Mooney make a push to be included in the race during camp?
Running Back: (A-Back) Vaughn Blue (Fr); (B-Back) Quinton Cooley (RJr)
Backup: Victor Venn (R-Fr); Jaimes Jointer Jr (RFr)
We will see a lot more two-back sets for the Flames under head coach Jamey Chadwell and this new offense. Vaughn Blue, even as a true freshman, could certainly emerge as a starter. Wake Forest transfer Quinton Cooley also had a strong spring and will see plenty of playing time. Arkansas transfer James Jointer will also be able to provide depth.
This spring, the Flames have also added Billy Lucas and Victor Venn through the transfer portal. Lucas is a veteran and starred at the FCS level. He could certainly break into the top of the rotation at running back. Venn was highly rated out of high school and we have heard whispers from this summer that he is the fastest player on the team.
Ultimately, there will be a lot of names that get reps here especially throughout the early part of the season.
Wide Receiver (X): Noah Frith (RSr.)
Backup: Treon Sibley (RJr.)
Wide Receiver (Z): CJ Daniels (RSo.)
Backup: Elijah Smoot (Sr.)
Wide Receiver (H): Reese Smith (RJr.)
Backup: Kylen Austin (RFr.)
The wide receiver position is still very much a work in progress. Reese Smith has developed and established himself as someone who could lead the team in receptions. Noah Frith, CJ Daniels, and Treon Sibley are returning contributors that will be able to provide some experience and depth at the position.
Another name to keep an eye on is Kylen Austin. He got plenty of reps with the first team during the spring and could remain there as we head into the summer and fall. Elijah Smoot transfers in from UT Martin and he will fight for a starting position. Errol Rogers (Louisiana) could also emerge this fall.
Left Tackle: Xavior Gray (Jr.)
Backup: Harrison Hayes (Jr.)
Left Guard: Jonathan Graham (RSr.)
Backup: Jack Tucker (RSo.)
Center: Jordan White (RSo.)
Backup: Aaron Fenimore (Fr.)
Right Guard: Brendan Schlittler (RSr.)
Backup: Brian Hannibal (RJr.)
Right Tackle: X’Zauvea Gadlin (RSr.)
Backup: Chase Mitchell (RJr.)
Schlittler and Gadlin are pretty much locked in at their starting spot while the other positions are a bit of a work in progress. Jordan White and Jonathan Graham spent most of the spring starting at center and left guard, respectively. Akron transfer Xavior Gray is a multi-year starter that the Flames will be counting on to take over as a starting tackle this fall after transferring from Akron.
Jack Tucker could also push for a starting spot on the line and will certainly provide some depth. We could also see White slide over to a guard spot and true freshman Aaron Fenimore become the team’s starting center.
Tight End: Bentley Hanshaw (RSr.)
Back up: Austin Henderson (RJr.) OR Jacob Jenkins.(Jr.)
Regardless of the order, these three names will be the ones that get the bulk of the reps in 2023 provided they stay healthy.
Defensive End: Grey Carroll (RSo.)
Backup: CJ Bazile (RFr.) OR Bryson Jennings (RFr.)
Defensive Tackle: Kendy Charles (RJr.)
Backup: Tysheik Galloway (Jr)
Nose Guard: Bryce Dixon (So.)
Backup: Jay Hardy (RSo.)
Defensive End: Bryan Whitehead II (Fr.)
Backup: TJ Bush (Fr.) OR Larry Jones III (Fr.)
The defensive line has been hit harder than any other position on the team due to various defections. The interior of the line is pretty solid, led by Kendy Charles. Bryce Dixon and Jay Hardy got some valuable experience last year and have plenty of potential, but the Flames will need them to step forward this fall.
On the outside, there are a lot of questions. TJ Bush was here in the spring and emerged as a potential starter even as a true freshman. Larry Jones is another true freshman who joined the team this summer and the coaching staff is high on. JUCO transfer Bryan Whitehead could be the team’s top pass rusher this season. Georgia Tech transfer Grey Carroll and North Carolina transfer Bryson Jennings will have the opportunity to compete for a starting spot while CJ Bazile will also be counted on.
Mike: Tyren Dupree (RSr.)
Backup: Aakil Washington (RJr.)
Will: Jerome Jolly, Jr. (RJr.)
Backup: Chike Nwankwo (RSr.)
Dupree is a veteran and worked with the first team throughout the spring. He has plenty of experience at Liberty and will be counted on to help lead the position group. Jolly has been a reserve and starred on special teams most of his career at Liberty, but he could emerge as a starting linebacker this season. Washington is a talented pass rusher that moved to linebacker a year ago.
Abilene Christian transfer Chike Nwankwo will be needed to not just provide depth but potentially lead the room. He is talented and has a very high ceiling where Chike could lead the team in tackles. All four of these players will likely see plenty of snaps on the field this fall.
Cornerback: Kobe Singleton (RJr.)
Backup: Elijah Hopkins (RFr.) OR Joshua Wiggins (RFr)
Cornerback: Amarian Williams (RSo.)
Backup: Marquis Bell (So.)
Singleton and Williams will lead the Flames at corner. Singleton did miss much of the spring as he recovers from an injury. JUCO transfer Marquis Bell is also expected to make a push for playing time this fall while incoming transfers Elijah Hopkins (Coastal Carolina) and Joshua Wiggins (Colorado) will also be able to fight for playing time.
Star: Brandon Bishop (RSr.)
Backup: Preston Hodge (RSo.)
Safety: Quinton Reese (RJr.)
Backup: A’Khori Jones (So.)
Safety: Jaylon Jimmerson (RJr.)
Backup: Brylan Green (So.)
Quinton Reese has grown into a team leader at safety. Meanwhile, Brandon Bishop, a transfer from Louisiana, is pushing to be included among the team’s starting group as is Preston Hodge, who transferred in from a JUCO just prior to the 2022 season.
Brylan Green missed most of spring practice as he was been with the baseball team. He should again push for playing time and could push to become a starter. Jaylon Jimmerson redshirted last season, but he is a veteran in the room and should push for a starting spot this fall.
Kicker: Nick Brown (RSo.)
Backup: Brayden Beck (RSo.) OR Teagen Lenderink (So.)
Punter: Max Morgan (RSo.)
Long Snapper: Austin Turner (RSo.)
Holder: Max Morgan (RSo.)
Kick Returner: Jaimes Jointer Jr (RFr)
Punt Returner: Reese Smith (RJr.)
