Under head coach Hugh Freeze and running backs coach Bruce Johnson, Liberty has typically used a three-man rotation at running back. In 2021, it was Joshua Mack, Shedro Louis, and Utah transfer T.J. Green. With Mack’s eligibility exhausted, the Flames needed one more body to move into that rotation.
As was the case a year ago, Liberty once again turned to the transfer portal, bringing in explosive Hawaii transfer Dae Dae Hunter. He was the team’s top rusher this past year, running for 651 yards and three touchdowns on 101 carries.
As the Flames prepare to kick off another spring camp on March 4, here is a look at the running back position:
RUNNING BACK
Returners
T.J. Green (R-Sr), Shedro Louis (Jr), Troy Henderson (R-Jr), Malik Caper (R-So), Russian Williams (R-So)
The Buzz: Green worked his way into the most productive running back of the three-headed monster this past season. He was second on the team (to Malik Willis) with 477 rushing yards on 75 carries, good for 6.4 yards per rush. He will enter the 2022 campaign expected to be the first back up in the rotation.
Shedro Louis has proven to be the explosive back in Liberty’s backfiled the past couple of years. He rushed for 446 yards and 4 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021, and Louis has proven to be a threat to take it the distance every time he touches it.
Henderson has been the fourth back in the rotation the past couple of years, rushing the ball 20 times for 35 yards in 2021.
Newcomers
Dae Dae Hunter (Jr)
The 5’10”, 200 pound Hunter has two seasons of eligibility remaining after leading Hawaii in rushing in 2021. The Flames are hopeful he will step into Joshua Mack’s role and continue to push the group forward. Hunter is originally from Chandler, Arizona where he attended the same Chandler High School as T.J. Green. At Chandler, Hunter rushed for 1,748 yards and 33 touchdowns to help lead them to a 13-0 season.
Gone
Joshua Mack (109 carries for 454 yards, 3 TDs; 4 catches for 15 yards)
Frank Boyd (1 carry for 1 yard)
Tyron Staples (1 carry for 0 yards)
