Liberty’s 2023 defensive unit will be most remembered for its nation leading 21 pass interceptions. That stat embodied the bend but don’t break defense the Flames had last season.
The Flames’ final numbers on defense weren’t that bad despite some critical of the unit’s production. Liberty allowed 23.86 points per game, which ranked for 49th best in the country, and allowed 372.6 yards per game, 58th best in the country.
“We were very opportunistic,” Chadwell said of last year’s defense. “Typically, if you study, any time you have that high of turnovers, usually it comes down a little bit, that’s just the nature of the game. But we have emphasized, all offseason, the opportunity to take the ball away.”
Seven starters return to Liberty’s defense, anchored by all four returning defensive line. That group up front should be much improved as TJ Bush, CJ Bazile, Bryce Dixon, and Jay Hardy all have considerable experience under their belt, as well as several others that will provide significant depth on the front line for the Flames.
CUSA Defensive Player of the Year Tyren Dupree is gone at linebacker, but Joseph Carter and Jerome Jolly return, both with starting experience. Coach Chadwell and his staff also focused on beefing up the linebacker position through the portal, bringing in four transfers at the position during the offseason – Ethan Crisp (Vanderbilt), Aidan Vaughan (Wisconsin), Jahmar Brown (Coastal Carolina) and Teylor Jackson (East Carolina) – all of which are fighting for playing time during camp.
The biggest question mark for the Liberty defense entering 2024 is the secondary. The Flames will have to replace production from several outgoing players as three of the five defensive back positions will be without the starter from 2023.
“I think defensively, to me, the biggest question mark is probably who is going to step up at corner,” Chadwell said. “We lost a lot of production from that area. I like who we’ve brought in. There’s a lot of competition, but they haven’t really done anything for us. Who will step up over the next 2-3 weeks that we can count on? There’s a lot of people but who can we actually count on is the biggest question.”
Amarian Williams is the most proven corner that returns for the Flames. Incoming transfer Dominick Hill will also fight for playing time. Quinton Reese and Brylan Green highlight the safeties where JUCO transfer Eldric Griffin will also attempt to solidify a starting spot.
In total, Liberty brings in 10 transfers on the defensive side of the ball with seven of those coming from a Power Four school. If the team can figure out its secondary positions and the depth there, the defense should see significant improvement this year.
“I do like the group on that side of the ball. I think there’s a lot of competition. What I mean by that, a lot of guys that can play and can do some things. They’ve got to do it consistently; I think is the biggest question mark. I do think you will see us play this year a lot of different people. Last year we didn’t have hardly anybody except the main ones. I do think you will see a lot of different people play this year from a depth standpoint.”
The 15 training camp practices will allow the team to get a look at its newcomers, as well as more inexperienced players to see how they can fit in and help the team on the field this fall.
“From what we observed during spring, what we observed during summer, I think there’s a lot of people that will have an opportunity to play,” said Chadwell. “Now, is that you get 40 plays, and you get 40 plays? No, but I do think you will see more of a true rotation where a lot of people can play. I do think from a depth standpoint, guys we feel that can play and be productive. I think there will be some more people that can get that opportunity.”
