No offense can be as special as Liberty’s was in 2023 without a very good offensive line. The Flames’ offensive front was arguably the best it has ever had in the history of the program, as they paved the way for the best rushing offense in the country and kept the pocket clean for Quarterback Kaidon Salter most of the year.
There were basically six linemen that worked as part of the rotation last year – Chase Mitchell, Jonathan Graham, Jordan White, X’Zauvea Gadlin, Xavior Gray, and Jack Tucker. Graham and Gadlin have exhausted their eligibility but the other four are expected to return.
The Flames will look to that group to build around on the offensive line in 2024. White spent all of last season as Liberty’s starting center. He sat out spring practice as he tended to some injuries, but he will be counted on to be a key piece of the team’s OL this fall whether that is at center or at guard.
Chase Mitchell has stepped into more of a leadership role since the conclusion for the 2023 season. He spent most of last year at left Tackle, but this spring we saw him working with the first team at left guard. It is still to be determined as to which position Mitchell ends up at this season, but some of that will be due to the rest of the group alongside him. He could slide to either tackle position or potentially play either guard spot.
After transferring from Akron, Gray solidified himself as the team’s starting right tackle. He held that position down during the spring and will look to be one of the anchors of the front unit this season once again.
A Texas Tech transfer, Tucker rotated in at tackle for the Flames last season, serving as virtually the only reserve to the offensive line that played consistently all year. During the spring, Tucker was the team’s starting left Tackle. Will he be able to hold onto that position?
After being part of Liberty’s second unit on the offensive line the past couple of years, Harrison Hayes could be poised to enter the starting five this season. He has bounced back and forth between tackle and guard throughout his career, but during the spring he worked out with the first team at right guard. Could we see Hayes solidify that position during the summer and into training camp?
Aaron Fenimore committed to Liberty head coach Jamey Chadwell and OL Coach Bill Durkin when they were at Coastal Carolina. When they took the job at Liberty, Chadwell and Durkin were able to convince Fenimore to join them. He redshirted last season, working as the Flames’ second string center, but he did receive some playing time late in the year. Entering this fall, Fenimore could move into the starting lineup if the Flames opt to use him at center and slide White over to a guard spot. Or, Fenimore could remain with the second unit and likely be frequently used and rotated in with the starters.
John Paul Flores transferred to Liberty prior to the spring, joining the team from Louisville where he played in 12 games last year. He spent most of his career in the Ivy League at Dartmouth where he was a starting lineman. Flores has primarily spent his time at guard during his career and could provide some depth for Liberty there this season.
We could also see Liberty prioritize an offensive lineman in the portal this spring to help build out the depth of the unit.
Previous Roster Reviews:
Defensive Line
Linebackers
Corners
Safeties
Special Teams
Wide Receivers
