It has been well discussed that the Liberty football team saw approximately 50% of roster turnover from the end of the 2022 season to the 2023 roster. With the transfer portal and a coaching change, that has become the norm.
We are just four games into the new season under head coach Jamey Chadwell, but the Flames are currently in a bye week. This provides us an opportunity to check in on all the transfers Chadwell and his staff brought in to Liberty and the impact they have made thus far:
QB Trey Lowe (Southern Miss)
Lowe is serving as Liberty’s third string quarterback behind Kaidon Salter and Johnathan Bennett.
RB James Jointer Jr (Arkansas)
Jointer has provided depth at running back and has shown some flashes of his potential during his limited playing time to this point in the season. With Vaughn Blue’s injury, we could see his snaps increase as the season progresses. So far, Jointer has played in two games with 12 rushes for 78 yards.
RB Quinton Cooley (Wake Forest)
Cooley has emerged as Liberty’s top running back, leading the team in carries and yards so far this season. He has 53 carries for 323 rushing yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He’s also caught 2 passes for 15 yards.
RB Billy Lucas (Duquesne)
Lucas has been a tremendous compliment to Cooley. He has rushed 39 times for 244 yards and 2 touchdowns, while averaging 6.3 yards per carry. He also has 1 reception for 16 yards.
RB Victor Venn (Colorado)
Venn has rushed 5 times for 25 yards, he also has returned one kickoff for 10 yards. He has been a good depth piece for the Flames at running back and could see an increased role as the season continues.
WR Aaron Bedgood (Coastal Carolina)
Bedgood has been a huge addition for the Flames in the slot and even being used as a ball carrier. He has 4 receptions for 38 yards and 3 rushes for 70 yards, including a 49 yard touchdown run. Bedgood has also been the team’s top kick returner, returning 7 kicks for 163 yards.
WR Elijah Smoot (UT Martin)
Smoot has emerged as one of Liberty’s top receiving options. He has 6 catches for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns.
WR Victor Jones, Jr. (Nebraska)
Jones was injured during the summer and lost for the season with a knee injury.
WR Reese Smith (West Virginia)
Smith was expected to be one of the team’s top receiving options this year, but he was injured in the summer and will miss the entire season due to a knee injury.
WR Errol Rogers (Louisiana)
Rogers has not been able to become a consistent contributor on the offensive side of the ball yet, and he has not yet recorded any stats.
TE Jacob Jenkins (Coastal Carolina)
Jenkins was ruled ineligible this season after his second career transfer. He has to sit out one season before becoming eligible next season.
OL Jordan White (West Virginia)
White is one of Liberty’s best offensive linemen and is the team’s starting center.
OL Xavior Gray (Akron)
Gray has become Liberty’s starting right tackle.
OL Jack Tucker (Texas Tech)
Tucker is the first guy off the bench at offensive line, frequently checking in at times during each game at left tackle.
DL Grey Carroll (Georgia Tech)
Carroll is part of Liberty’s second string defensive line, playing primarily behind TJ Bush at one defensive end spot. He has 5 tackles and 1 TFL so far this season.
DE Bryson Jennings (North Carolina)
Jennings has a bright future. He has appeared in all 5 games but is a depth piece on the defensive line right now. He has recorded 1 tackle and 0.5 TFLs so far this year.
LB Chike Nwankwo (Abilene Christian)
Nwankwo has not been able to work himself into being a regular part of Liberty’s linebacker rotation. He has played in 3 games and has 4 tackles with 1 QB hurry.
CB Joshua Wiggins (Colorado)
Wiggins has not recorded any stats yet for the Flames.
S Brandon Bishop (Louisiana)
Bishop has been one of Liberty’s more productive defensive players this season. He currently is tied for 5th on the team with 11 tackles to go along with 1 TFL and 1 interception.
