Ok, so it’s not really the ‘midseason’ report as we are 8 games through the 2023 Liberty football season, but this is where an open date falls for the Flames this season. With the relatively new redshirt rule in effect, players can compete in up to 4 games in a season and still maintain their redshirt.
SHIRT ALREADY BURNED
TJ Bush and Larry Jones III are the two true freshmen who have already burned their redshirt year, with both having already played at least 5 games this season.
TJ Bush has started all 8 games for the Flames at defensive end this season. He’s recorded 15 tackles 4 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 3 PBUs and 2 quarterback hurries.
Larry Jones III has played in five games so far this season and has recorded 1 tackle. He is a reserve defensive end that is a pass rush specialist. As long as he stays healthy, he should continue to see his playing time increase as we approach the end of the season.
REDSHIRT STILL IN PLAY
Several true freshmen have seen playing time but their redshirt is still in play as well as numerous that have yet to take the field:
RB Vaughn Blue (3)
DT Eliyt Nairne (2)
TE Bo Burklow (2)
OL Austin Anderson (2)
S Jabin Ford (1)
LB Olan Robinson (1)
WR Darius Copeland (0)
QB Reese Mooney (0)
CB Jamal Miles (0)
S Christian Bodnar (0)
OL Cal Grubbs (0)
DE Donovan Dozier (0)
DL Marius Landsfeld (0)
OL Aaron Fenimore (0)
These should all be expected to redshirt with Vaughn Blue the one that is a bit of a question mark. The talented running back was sure to not redshirt before suffering an injury in game three at Buffalo. There’s a chance he could be cleared to return to the field before the season is over. Will the coaching staff seek to preserve his year of eligibility and only allow him to play in one more game this season?
