Ok, so it’s not really the ‘midseason’ report as we are 10 games through the 2021 Liberty football season, but this is where the bye week falls for the Flames this season. With the relatively new redshirt rule in effect and eligibility actually counting this season as compared to the waiver granted by the NCAA for the 2020 season, players can compete in up to 4 games in a season and still maintain their redshirt.

SHIRT ALREADY BURNED

Six true freshmen have already burned their redshirt year having played in at least 5 of the team’s first 10 games. LB Ahmad Walker has played in all 10 games, P Max Morgan has played in 8 games as he has had to fill in for the injured Aidan Alves, OL Andrew Adair has played as a reserve in 7 games, K Brayden Beck and DT Chris Boti have each played in 6 games, and OL Harrison Hayes has played in 5 games.

Walker has been a much needed addition in the linebacker room as the Flames continue to build up that position. He’s started in 3 games and is currently 6th on the team with 30 tackles to go along with 4.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks.

After Alves broke his clavicle, Morgan has been very solid at punter as a true freshman. He is averaging 42.7 yards per punt on his 23 punts and has had 6 punts over 50 yards. Beck has made 2 of his 3 field goals since taking over for Alex Barbir following the Syracuse game earlier this season. Beck’s lone miss came from 38 yards this past week at Ole Miss. He’s made 26 of his 28 extra point attempts.

Adair and Hayes have proven to be valuable depth pieces on the offensive line as true freshmen, which is great to see. Boti has 8 tackles and 0.5 sacks to his credit through his playing time in six games. He’s filled in at times when the Flames were short-handed on the interior of the defensive line.

REDSHIRT STILL IN PLAY

Several true freshmen have seen playing time but their redshirt is still in play:

OL Will Buchanan (4)
CB Amarian Williams (3)
WR Kylen Austin (2)
DE Kaci Seegars (2)
DL Khristian Zachary (2)
DL Marquise Brunson (2)
OL Mason Bundy (2)
S Tim Coutras (2)
QB Nate Hampton (1)
QB Kaidon Salter (1)
DL Jackson Shirer (1)

It will be interesting to see if the coaching staff will burn Buchanan’s shirt in either of the final remaining two regular season games and the bowl game. Pending injuries, the only other one listed here that is could potentially play more than four games is Khristian Zachary. The talented defensive lineman has played in two games but missed the last several due to an injury. He has been cleared to play but did not see the field at Ole Miss. He could play in each of the next two games and then be held out for the bowl game to preserve his season of eligibility, which is the most likely scenario at this point.