It’s almost here! Liberty will finally kickoff the 2024 football season THIS Saturday, Aug. 31 at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia against Campbell. The Flames have a lot to look forward to this season, most notably looking to compere for a CUSA championship for a second straight year.
Here’s a look at our projected depth chart for the Flames’ opener against Campbell:
Quarterback: Kaidon Salter
Backup: Ryan Burger
Salter has the potential to be one of the top quarterbacks in the entire country this coming fall. This team’s ceiling rides on his back, as the Flames could be a contender for the CFP this season if he performs like he did in 2023 or even better.
Burger is a nice addition to the room, coming to Liberty from Appalachian State where he was the team’s starter entering the 2023 season before suffering an injury in the opener. He is a nice insurance piece and can serve as a backup to Salter and provide a capable backup that come in if needed and not have things get derailed
Running Back: (A-Back) Vaughn Blue; (B-Back) Quinton Cooley
Backup: (A-Back) Darius Copeland (B-Back) Billy Lucas
Cooley is one of the top running backs in the entire country, and Vaughn Blue is back to his pre-injury form and should provide a nice compliment to Cooley’s bowling ball style. Lucas will be the third back, getting his fair share of reps throughout the season.
Copeland is really more of a slot receiver, but he will look to provide something similar to that of Aaron Bedgood last season while being able to line up in the backfield or at receiver while running routes and also taking handoffs or pitches in the option game.
The Flames also have James Jointer to use here at running back either late in games, in short yardage packages, or to simply provide Cooley and/or Lucas a spell.
Wide Receiver: Elijah Canion OR Tyson Mobley
Backup: Markel Fortenberry
Wide Receiver: Treon Sibley
Backup: Donte Lee
Wide Receiver: Julian Gray
Backup: Reese Smith
Wide Receiver will be a position to watch in the early weeks and throughout the season as there is likely to be some shuffling of the pieces as the Flames learn exactly what it has in each player.
About the only certainty is Sibley and his role on the outside. Elijah Canion and Tyson Mobley will both have their opportunities and will be factors here, as well. With his frame, Canion can certainly be a threat in the red zone and on key third down situations.
Gray can be a game changer for the Flames with his speed and elusiveness. That will be most evident in his return abilities, but he can also make a huge impact as a slot receiver also. Reese Smith has the potential to be a key possession receiver as he gets back into game shape after missing all of last season with a knee injury. He was slow to begin camp but now appears like he is getting much closer. He could be a huge boost to this room this season.
Left Tackle: Jack Tucker OR Jordan Hall
Left Guard: John Paul Flores
Backup: Andrew Johnson
Center: Jordan White
Backup: Aaron Fenimore
Right Guard: Harrison Hayes
Backup: DJ Geth
Right Tackle: Xavior Gray
Backup: Hunter Porterfield
The fight for starter at left tackle will be one to watch early in the season. Tucker is probably the favorite, but Monmouth transfer Jordan Hall is certainly making a case. Hall is coming off reconstructive ankle surgery which slowed him at the beginning of camp.
The rest of the starters up front are pretty much locked in. Those six will be the primary ones to see significant playing time with Aaron Fenimore the next up. The Flames could also go to DJ Geth as a depth piece as needed.
Tight End: Bentley Hanshaw OR Austin Henderson
Back up: Jacob Jenkins
Liberty is very experienced here at tight end. Hanshaw and Henderson are virtually co-starters and will both be featured at times, even at the same time in certain packages. They are both capable blockers and also have the ability to haul in passes as we saw some last year.
Jenkins provides some additional depth and experience. Don’t forget he is a former all-conference performer in the Sun Belt during his time at Coastal Carolina.
Defensive End: TJ Bush
Backup: Grey Carroll OR Larry Jones, III
Defensive Tackle: Jay Hardy
Backup: Chris Boti
Defensive Tackle: Bryce Dixon
Backup: Mike Jarvis
Joker: CJ Bazile
Backup: Bryson Jennings
The starting group here is firmly established, and they should be much improved from last year with an added year of eligibility under their belts. Carroll has been fighting off an injury during camp as he and Jones are competing for reps behind Bush at defensive end.
Other names to watch on the defensive line not listed here on this two-deep include Eli Hall and Eliyt Nairne at defensive tackle and Rod Daniels. Daniels can play multiple positions on the defensive front depending on the package. There is certainly more depth here than the Flames had last season.
Mike: Teylor Jackson OR Joseph Carter
Backup: Aidan Vaughan
Will: Jahmar Brown OR Jerome Jolly, Jr.
Backup: Ethan Crisp
For the first time in a long time it looks like Liberty has multiple pieces it could use at linebacker. These six could all play, but it’s most likely the coaches look to solidify this group down to its top four that will see the field routinely. Who will be in what order is something we will have to wait until we see the Flames on the field on Saturday.
Cornerback: Dexter Ricks, Jr. OR Dominick Hill
Backup: Alex Oliver
Cornerback: Amarian Williams
Backup: Jayden Sweeney OR Charles Yates
The Flames lost some strong production at corner from the 2023 team and return Amarian Williams who leads this group. Dominick Hill is a Temple transfer that could be the starting corner opposite Williams to begin the season. Dexter Ricks, a returner, is another name that could push for a starting spot. VMI transfer Alex Oliver and Old Dominion transfer Charles Yates could also get an opportunity.
Safety: Quinton Reese
Backup: A’Khori Jones
Safety: Brylan Green
Backup: Marquise Bell
Safety: Eldric Griffin
Backup: Elijah Auguste
We know Reese and Green will man two of those spots, but the third safety starter and the depth is somewhat of a mystery still. Griffin will certainly be in the mix and Auguste has had a very strong playing time and could have parlayed that into a starting spot. A’Khori Jones will certainly be in the mix and could even become a starter also.
Kicker: Nick Brown OR Colin Karhu
Backup: Brayden Beck
We haven’t been given a hint as to who has won the kicking job to begin the season. It’s likely between Brown and Karhu with both of them getting the majority of the reps during the open scrimmage last week.
Punter: Max Morgan
Long Snapper: Ryan Wilkins OR Ryan Manis
Holder: Max Morgan
Kick Returner: Julian Gray
Punt Returner: Brylan Green OR Julian Gray
