Over the next week or so, we will preview every position. Here’s our schedule for these previews:
8/12 – CBs
8/13 – LBs
8/14 – DL
8/15 – Safeties
8/16 – OL
8/17 – WRs
8/18 – TEs
8/19 – RBs
8/20 – QBs
8/21 – Specialists
We begin our position previews today with a look at the corners.
Frontrunners
20 Bejour Wilson R-SR 5’11” 170
Wilson returns as the leader of the room after playing in all 12 games last season, including 10 starts. It was his first year with the Flames, as he transferred in from City College of San Francisco. It took him a few games to get his feet under him, but once he did Wilson was a force in the secondary. He finished the season with 58 tackles, three interceptions 10 breakups.
CB Coach Rickey Hunley – “A guy that played quite a bit last year, came on towards the end of the season. He just came in and had a very leader-like, work-like mentality. Makes plays when he has an opportunity out there, definitely brings an attitude to our group.”
8 Jimmy Faulks R-JR 6’1″ 185
Faulks is an interesting story as he seemed to fall out of the previous coaching staff’s good graces and ended up redshirting in 2018 after coming on strong in 2017. He started six of the final eight contests during his sophomore season in 2017, finishing with 15 tackles, four breakups and an interception. He quickly ascended back to a starting role in the spring once the new staff got on campus.
CB Coach Rickey Hunley – “A guy that has not played as much last year. The year before, I think he played quite a bit, but last year red-shirted. He came in, he and I sat down and talked about what I expected from him, what I expect of our group. Those guys (Wilson and Faulks) kinda stood out amongst the group.”
Competition
2 Emanuel Dabney JR 5’11” 170
Dabney was here in the spring after transferring to Liberty from Hinds Community College. He was a well sought after corner coming out of JUCO, picking the Flames over the likes of Louisiana-Monroe, Middle Tennessee, New Mexico, Old Dominion, and Southern Miss.
CB Coach Rickey Hunley – “Dab has been good. Dab had a hamstring strain in the spring. Great camp over these first (few) days. He’s been a breathe of fresh air just because I didn’t get to see him as much in the spring. Definitely can run and I knew that from film, but has just done a very good job of understanding the defense and executing it.”
18 Isaiah Avery SO 6’1″ 185
Avery is another JUCO transferring who joined the Flames in the spring. He played in 10 games in 2018 for City College of San Francisco, finishing the season with 32 tackles, six breakups and an 83-yard interception return for a touchdown.
CB Coach Rickey Hunley – “Best thing about Isaiah is he’s a guy that has 3 years left. He’s still very young in development. Has played a lot of football when he was at SAC City, and did a great job there, but now he comes in and the main thing for him is continue to develop, continue to be in game situations and be in a position where the lights are on. He’s got to be out there and be ready to make plays and be consistent.”
7 Tank Land FR 5’8″ 170
Tank is Liberty’s first ever 4-star recruit, signing with the program after having been committed to Virginia Tech and Maryland. His talent has been on display since arriving on campus and he will play this season as a true freshman.
23 Kei’Trel Clark FR 5’10” 160
Clark is another true freshman who greatly impressed the coaching staff during camp before succumbing to a grade 2 shoulder of the AC joint. If he is able to remain healthy, Clark will also play this season as a true freshman.
22 Kimani Donaldson R-SO 6’0″ 180
Donaldson has been a reserve corner for the Flames each of the past two seasons. He redshirted last season after playing in three games.
