Our position previews now turn to the defense as we have finished our look at the offense and the special teams. Be sure to check out any of the previous previews you have missed:
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Offensive line
Tight ends
Wide receivers
Special teams
To begin the defensive position previews, we start with the defensive line. Defensive line coach Josh Aldridge’s group may be the strength not only of the defense but the entire Liberty football team. The Flames are incredibly deep up front and Aldridge says his first two units are close to being interchangeable. Aldridge has 10-11 guys that will be a part of the travel roster and he expects that many to play. It’s just a matter of carving out a role for all of them.
“You return basically the whole room,” said Aldridge, “and then you had two true freshmen at those two end spots that played a huge amount as true freshmen. They are obviously leaps and bounds better than they were last year. The year one to year two jump is typically very big for both high school players and junior college players.”
Frontrunners
DE 11 Durrell Johnson JR 6’4″ 235
There’s more than just one Liberty player that is getting an extensive look by NFL scouts during camp. Durrell Johnson has had plenty of attention thrown his way by the scouts, and thanks to COVID he still has two seasons of eligibility left for the Flames. Coach Aldridge expects the pass rush star to take a huge jump this season, as he continues to develop and grow into his frame. Remember, he’s only been playing on the defensive line for a short period of time as he’s spent most of his career playing linebacker and safety.
DL Coach Josh Aldridge – “I’m looking for him to take a jump as well.”
DE 10 TreShaun Clark SO 6’1″ 235
It didn’t take long for Clark to become one of Liberty’s best defensive players. Now, he’s taken the next step and become a team leader. Clark is also very versatile, allowing Aldridge to move him from one end to the other and even inside as a tackle, especially in passing situations.
DL Coach Josh Aldridge – “A guy like TreShaun Clark, I don’t have much else to teach him. He knows what to do so I can kick him inside on passing downs which in turn gives Steve (Sings) more reps.”
DT 55 Elijah James SR 6’5″ 300
One of 16 super seniors to return to Liberty this season and the first of three we will discuss on the defensive line. James was the one that got his hand up and blocked Coastal Carolina’s field goal in overtime of the Cure Bowl last December, clinching the win for the Flames. He’s a dynamic and veteran player for Liberty on the inside.
DL Coach Josh Aldridge – “Elijah didn’t enroll at mid-year our first year. So, he got here right at that fall. I would have redshirted him if I could, but we lacked so much depth he had to play. He wasn’t ready to play, but he had to play. COVID was a blessing for him. In fact, now it’s like his real senior year. That first year he weighed 260 pounds.”
NG 99 Ralfs Rusins R-SR 6’6″ 325
Rusins had a chance to leave Liberty and take a crack at a professional career last season, but he elected to come back for his super senior season. He is the leader and anchor of the defensive line, and he is still seeing tremendous growth each and every season.
DL Coach Josh Aldridge – “We all know Ralfs story. Being so new to football, every year he can get is going to help his future. The only football Ralfs has ever played is here at Liberty. His experience has been so much that he wanted more of it.”
Competition
NG 50 Henry Chibueze R-SO 6’3″ 350
He came in as one of Liberty’s top rated recruits in his class and was on the offensive line. Now, after a couple of seasons to develop and a position change, Chibueze is ready for a huge season. He started to come on strong as the season wore on in 2020, but now he is basically the third starting defensive tackle for the Flames.
DL Coach Josh Aldridge – “Henry Chibueze is pushing both (James and Rusins). Henry will play just as many or more snaps as both of those guys because Henry is so dynamic. He can play on passing downs. He can play on first down, on second down. In my mind, I’ve got three starters at those two spots. We’re going to compete every week at practice and whoever has the best week of practice is going to go out there on the first drive. It doesn’t really matter to me who starts, it’s overrated. I think he is going to have a really good year.”
DE 33 Stephen Sings V FR 6’3″ 235
Sings got some playing time as a true freshman last year, and now he’s ready to take a huge leap forward. He’s currently playing behind TreShaun Clark at defensive end, but he will get plenty of snaps. Look for him to continue to grow in his role, and make a bigger impact than simply on passing situations. He will also force Clark to the inside on occasion in order for him to get more snaps.
DE 24 Aakil Washington FR 6’2″ 245
Washington had a similar rookie year as Sings did last season. Currently slotted behind Durrell Johnson, Washington is also pushing for additional playing time. He’s a pass rush specialist and will make an impact this year.
DT 91 Kendy Charles FR 6’1″ 280
Another true freshman last season, Charles is currently on the second string at defensive tackle. He will have a role on the team and should see some snaps most games.
DL Coach Josh Aldridge – “Kendy is doing really well. He is a guy that it was moving pretty fast for him last year, but I think it’s really slowing down for him. He’s had a really good camp.”
DE 77 Khristian Zachary FR 6’3″ 230
There’s been a lot of hype surrounding Rev7 as he joins Liberty as the first ever ESPN300 signee the Flames have had. Yes, there’s lots of depth on this defensive line, especially at defensive end, but Zachary is too good to keep on the bench all season. He will play, and he showed flashes of early breakout potential during Liberty’s first scrimmage at Fan Appreciation Day.
DL Coach Josh Aldridge – “I can’t speak to what everybody else’s expectations were for him, but I was expecting him to come and contribute as a freshman and he’s definitely going to. I think he’s a very dynamic player. He’s 270 pounds. He’s a big bodied end that can play inside already probably and maybe down the road be strictly an inside guy and be really dynamic for a guy at that position. I think he’s a very versatile player. He will definitely help us. You will see him out there.”
DE 15 Jayod Sanders SR 6’3″ 240
Sanders is another super senior that returns for the Flames. He’s played a lot of football at Liberty, and he is a steady, experienced option Coach Aldridge can turn to as needed.
DE 3 Kaci Seegars FR 6’3″ 210
We heard the coaches raving about Seegars in the spring. An early enrollee, Seegars was originally committed to Texas A&M before making the move to Liberty. He began at linebacker but has now switched to defensive end. Seegars still needs to finish growing into his body, but he will have a chance to make an impact as a true freshman.
Depth
NG 93 William Green R-JR 6’5″ 310
DT 42 Micaiah Overton R-FR 6’3″ 285
DT 92 Chris Boti FR 6’2″ 285
DL Coach Josh Aldridge – “Of the incoming freshmen, Chris Boti is probably the furthest ahead of this class of the true d-tackles. He’s probably the most dynamic one that kinda understands what we’re asking him.”
DE 90 Karsen Perkins FR 6’4″ 240
DE 48 Rashad Whitehead FR 6’2″ 265
DT 97 Marquise Brunson FR 6’3″ 275
DE 44 Ike Okoye R-FR 6’2″ 210
DE 45 Jackson Shirer FR 6’3″ 235
DE 96 Johnathan Slaughter FR 6’1″ 230
DL Coach Josh Aldridge – “Rashad (Whitehead) has had a good camp. Marquise Brunson is going to be a really good player. Brunson and Whitehead are doing well and are fighting for reps in that third group.”
