Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter has announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal.
Salter has one year of eligibility remaining. He helped lead Liberty to unprecedented success in 2023 in his first full year as the team’s starting quarterback. The Flames finished the year at 13-1 following a loss to Oregon on New Year’s Day in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. Salter completed 177 of 290 passes for 2,876 yards, 32 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He also rushed 163 times for 1,089 yards and 12 additional scores.
Salter briefly went into the portal following the Fiesta Bowl but changed his mind and returned to Liberty for the 2024 season. This past year as Liberty’s starting quarterback, Salter helped the Flames to an 8-3 season. He was 147 of 261 passing for 1,886 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He also rushed 114 times for 586 yards and 7 touchdowns.
“As I reflect on my journey at Liberty since 2021, this campus has had a positive influence on my growth and development as a student-athlete,” Salter wrote in a social media post announcing his transfer. “The atmosphere here has always been filled with positive energy, endless love, and uplifting support. The coaches developed me on and off the field and their dedication played a vital role in my positive experience at Liberty.”
“The 2023 season will forever hold a special place in my heart as one of the most unforgettable and proudest moments in my career. I am grateful to the coaches and staff for allowing me to be myself, both on and off the field.”
“To my teammates, thank you for trusting me to lead our team. I have learned so much from all of you and we will always be brothers. To our loyal fans, thank you for your unwavering love and support.”
“As I move forward and enter the transfer portal, I will always cherish the memories and invaluable lessons learned here. It is time for me to take the next step in my journey and do what I feel is best for my career. With that said, the relationships I’ve built at Liberty will always remain personal and close to my heart.”
Salter had a 23-6 career record as a starting quarterback for the Flames. His first career start was a 21-14 win at home over UAB on Sept. 10, 2022. He started 26 straight games for the Flames, beginning with the 2022 Boca Raton Bowl.
Salter threw for a career high five touchdowns during a 55-27 win at Buffalo on Sept. 16, 2023. It fell one shy of the program single-game record of six passing touchdowns set by Phil Basson in 1984 and Malik Willis in 2020. He also posted a career high with 344 passing yards in that contest.
In helping lead Liberty to the CUSA Championship in 2023, Salter rushed for a career high 165 yards on 12 carries against New Mexico State on Dec. 1, 2023. That performance was just shy of the program single game record for rushing yards by a QB set by Malik Willis with 168 at Western Kentucky on Sept. 19, 2020.
Following the 2023 season, Salter was named the CUSA Michael L. Slive Male Athlete of the Year, CUSA Regular Season MVP, CUSA Football Championship MVP and was named first-team all-conference. He set a program record with 32 passing touchdowns, the most a Liberty quarterback has ever thrown in a single season. He also had 44 touchdowns responsible for, a single-season record. He’s also the career leader in rushing yards by a quarterback.
