Perhaps the position where Liberty has been affected by the most through the transfer portal since the end of the 2024 season is the offensive line. Not only do the Flames lose starter John Paul Flores who has seen his eligibility expire, but Liberty also must replace two other starters (Jordan White, Xavior Gray) and another that was part of the two-deep (Jordan Hall) who left via the transfer portal. That’s a lot of production to replace in one offseason.
Liberty’s offensive line in 2025 will be anchored by Aaron Fenimore. Entering his third year in the program, Fenimore has emerged as not only a leader for the offensive line but the entire team. He was committed to Jamey Chadwell while he was at Coastal Carolina and then flipped to Liberty when Chadwell came to Lynchburg. After redshirting as a true freshman in 2023, Fenimore became the team’s starting center last year as White moved from center to left guard to make way for Fenimore. It all starts with him up front.
Harrison Hayes (right guard) and Jack Tucker (left tackle) also return after spending much of the season in 2024 as starters. The expectation, certainly after all the departures, would be that those two could reclaim their respective starting spots on this year’s offensive line. Both are veterans and have been in this system under this coaching staff since they arrived in Lynchburg following the 2022 campaign.
After those through, questions remain. DJ Geth, who transferred to Liberty from North Carolina a year ago, received valuable playing time and experience in his first year on the Mountain last season. He could certainly slide into a starting spot at guard if everything comes together for him as he continues to develop. Another returner, Andrew Johnson did not crack the two-deep last year after transferring in from the JUCO ranks, but he spent much of the spring working with the first team offensive line at guard. He would certainly be an added bonus to this group if he is able to earn a spot in the two-deep this fall.
As expected when losing as much production as this unit lost, Liberty turned to the transfer portal and brought in three transfers during the December period to help boost this group – Christian Williams (Florida), Erwil Anthony (Wingate), Trey Bedosky (UAB). Following spring ball, the Flames added another transfer who will join the team this summer from JUCO in Da’Jy’Quwan Jackson. This group will be counted on to help round out the depth chart up front and will be the key to determining just how good this year’s offensive line will be.
Bedosky was a part time starter at UAB before transferring to Liberty and could push for a starting position, most likely at tackle but could also play guard if needed. Anthony was a starter at right tackle for Division II Wingate. He is expected to compete for a starting spot for the Flames while he adjusts to the higher level of competition. Williams originally committed to Louisiana under head coach Billy Napier and then followed Napier to Florida. Napier then recommended Williams to Liberty as he was looking for a new place where he could see more playing time. Meanwhile, Jackson will work to get up to speed this summer and try to work into the rotation at tackle.
The offensive line is certainly a position where the Flames could look to target another one or two pieces through the spring transfer portal to give the unit more options to work with. This group’s production and ability to mesh together will be a key for the Liberty offense in 2025. OL Coach Bill Durkin is one of the best in the business and he should be able to have this group operating at a high level once kickoff approaches in late August.
Previous Roster Reviews:
