Likely the one position with more questions than any other entering the 2024 season is at wide receiver.
Yes, the Flames lose leading receiver CJ Daniels, who transferred to LSU, and that is a huge loss. Daniels was a big body receiver that Liberty could target at just about any time, including in critical situations. He led the team and was one of the top receivers in the country in 2023 with 55 receptions for 1,067 yards and 10 scores. But the Flames lose a lot more production at the position than just in Daniels.
Liberty is slated to lose 4 of its top 5 pass catches from last year’s team. In addition to Daniels, the Flames also lose Noah Frith, the only other receiver with length on the roster who made a significant impact on the field other than Daniels The 6th-year senior, Frith had 17 catches for 323 yards in 2023. Liberty also loses Elijah Smoot and Aaron Bedgood is not expected to return, though he is still attempting to appeal the NCAA’s decision to not allow an additional year of eligibility for the former Coastal Carolina transfer.
The top returning receiver is Treon Sibley. He had 23 catches for 467 yards and 4 scores a season ago. The Flames will certainly be counting on the veteran Sibley to make a big impact this fall.
Another Coastal Carolina transfer, Tyson Mobley, has joined Liberty this season. He was expected to play a significant role in 2023 for the Chanticleers, but, under the new coaching staff, played in just four games with six catches. The 6’0″, 180 pound Mobley has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Now, he gets to return to a coaching staff and offensive system that he is very familiar with.
In 2022 under now Liberty head coach Jamey Chadwell, Mobley played in all 13 games with 11 starts. He was third on the team with 40 catches for 490 yards and five touchdowns while also serving as Coastal’s punt returner. On the first play of the spring game last month, Mobley got behind the defense and scored a long touchdown, showcasing his ability to make an impact on the field. He is certainly a welcomed addition to the team going into 2024.
The Flames have also brought in Division II Shaw University transfer Donte Lee. Lee is a 6’3″, 180 pound athlete with three seasons of eligibility remaining. He had approximately 30 offers when entering the portal including from several Power Five programs. He redshirted in 2022 before a breakout redshirt-freshman season in 2023 for Shaw as a wide receiver and kick returner. In 10 games played, Lee had 26 receptions for 402 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also had 13 kick returns for 326 yards and a touchdown with a long of 98.
Reese Smith and Victor Jones, Jr are both slated to return this fall after suffering knee injuries last summer. Smith, a transfer from West Virginia, was expected to be the team’s top slot receiver last year prior to his injury. Jones could also provide some depth and explosiveness for the Flames.
Another option for the Flames on the outside is Markel Fortenberry. The 6’4″ redshirt sophomore has yet to make a significant impact on the field for the Flames, but he has the length Liberty is desperately looking for at the position. Could Fortenberry break through this summer and into fall camp to make a much needed impact the team needs?
Other options for Liberty that are more of slot receiver types include Kylen Austin and Darius Copeland. Austin impressed his new coaching staff last spring but ended up buried down the depth chart some especially after Aaron Bedgood made his arrival in Lynchburg. With another year of experience under his belt, Austin could force his way onto the field with his playmaking skills.
Copeland was a late addition to Liberty’s recruiting class last year, joining in the summer. His recruitment was derailed by a torn ACL suffered during his senior year of high school. That injury also affected him last year with the Flames, forcing him to redshirt. Now, Copeland is getting back to 100% and could make an impact for the Flames in the fall.
Liberty will also likely be very aggressive in the spring transfer portal window looking for a big body, possession type receiver to help the depth of the position.
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