When Kaidon Salter transferred to Liberty from Tennessee, the Flames were getting one of the highest rated quarterback prospects in school history.
The former top 50 national prospect was ranked as the No. 6 quarterback prospect nationally, according to 247Sports, in the class of 2021. The four-star quarterback came to Lynchburg, sitting behind Malik Willis, as he adjusted to the college game and prepared to take the next step.
After an injury plagued 2022 season, where Salter emerged as an uber-talented yet inexperienced quarterback, the Cedar Hill, Texas native was able to seize control of the starting quarterback position entering 2023 under a new coaching staff led by head coach Jamey Chadwell.
Some may have doubted Salter could master a brand-new offense and lead a conference championship team last year, but he proved those doubters wrong.
He completed 177 of 290 passes for 2,876 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,089 yards and 12 touchdowns. He led the Flames to the program’s first ever perfect regular season in school history, advancing to the Fiesta Bowl as Conference USA champions with a perfect 13-0 mark.
Salter racked up the honors at the end of 2023 including CUSA Football Championship MVP, CUSA Regular Season MVP, CUSA Michael L. Slive Male Athlete of the Year, HERO Sports G5 National Player of the Year, Phil Steele Postseason All-American (Honorable Mention), and a Maxwell Award semifinalist.
Returning to the Flames in 2024, the preseason accolades are piling up for the Liberty signal caller. Salter has already been named CUSA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and been named to the Walter Camp 2024 Player of the Year Award and Maxwell Award watch lists.
Liberty head coach Jamey Chadwell is hopeful Salter will continue to put in the work needed to be one of the top quarterbacks in the country and block out all the noise.
“He’s got to be locked in,” Chadwell said of Salter. “He’s going to get all these different accolades, all these different people saying things about him. Can he not worry about that and focus on his team and help bring them with him?”
Entering year two in the offense and coming out of an offseason where he knows he’s the guy, Salter is feeling much more comfortable in his offense and his role with the team. In addition to working on his play on the field, he has also focused on being a team leader both on and off the field.
“I feel way more comfortable with the offense and knowing what I’m supposed to do, knowing my assignment each and every play,” Salter explained. “Now, it’s just me lifting the team up and getting them on board with what I’ve been doing. Just making sure everybody’s doing what they’re supposed to do, getting the extra film time that they need, and putting in the extra work that needs to be put in in order for us to succeed this year.”
No quarterback has ever led the Flames to the success that Salter did in his first year leading the way. He’s hopeful that by picking up his teammates and helping them elevate their game, Liberty can reach even higher heights this fall.
“Everybody knows I lead in a different way,” said Salter. “I’m not as vocal as a leader should be, but I’ve been coming out of that little phase and being very vocal this year, and just trying to say more to the team so they can know that I’m all in for them.”
We all saw the talent Salter had on full display in 2023. Having that year of experience as well as a full offseason to prepare as the starter, he could be even more dangerous in 2024.
“As a quarterback, if you can raise the level of the people around you then you have something special,” said Chadwell. “He has the ability to do that because people will follow him.”
