Our position previews roll along as we continue to look at every position group for the Liberty Flames entering the 2022 season. We have already looked at all the defensive positions as well as the special teams, and this week we are making our way through the offense. If you have missed any of our previous previews, you can access them here:
Defensive Line
Linebackers
Safeties
Corners
Special Teams
Tight Ends
Wide Receivers
Quarterbacks
Over the past two years, Liberty’s rushing attack has been highlighted by the play of quarterback Malik Willis. The now Tennessee Titan led the Flames in rushing each of the past two years. Now, with the uber-talented Willis in the NFL, the opportunities for running backs to get additional work in the ground game is likely to increase considerably.
Under Hugh Freeze and running backs coach Bruce Johnson, Liberty has typically used a running back by committee approach with as many as three backs getting close to equal share in the number of game snaps. Last year, the trio that was used heavily was Joshua Mack, Shedro Louis, and TJ Green. This year, Mack has exhausted his eligibility and Dae Dae Hunter steps into the room and is expected to be one of the top backs on the team. Liberty could utilize four backs this season with Malik Caper also turning heads during camp.
Regardless of how many backs get consistent carries and who gets the most work, Freeze and Johnson have both agreed on one thing during training camp – this is the best group of running backs they have had in their four years at Liberty.
There has been some injuries late in camp at running back, and we have seen wide receiver Treon Sibley move into the room as the emergency option at running back as TJ Green, Shedro Louis, and Malik Caper are all dealing with injuries right now.
Running Backs Coach Bruce Johnson – “Over the past three years now, that room has been a good room, it’s been a really good room. But, this market that we’re in in this new world that we live in, where you can go out and recruit and guys jump to the portal, you can find some specific things we’re looking for for our menu. The last three rooms have been good, but this room is special.”
Frontrunner
0 Dae Dae Hunter R-SO 5’10” 190
Saying that there is a true frontrunner probably isn’t fair to the group of backs. Multiple guys will play and have their opportunities. It doesn’t matter who is the first guy up in each game (and that is likely to change from game to game) as every one will have plenty of chances.
As for Dae Dae, he comes to Liberty this season from Hawaii where he led the team in rushing with 651 yards and three touchdowns on 101 carries. He is originally from Chandler, Arizona, where he left Chandler High School as one of the best running backs in the program after rushing for 1,748 yards and 33 touchdowns on 11.5 yards per carry during his senior year.
Ever since Hunter showed up on campus in Lynchburg, the coaching staff has spoken very highly of him. He was named first-team all-Independent by Phil Steele in his preseason magazine, pretty impressive for a guy who has yet to take a snap for the Flames.
Running Backs Coach Bruce Johnson – “Dae Dae reminds of Marshawn Lynch, Tre Mason, a shorter version of Derrick Henry. He’s very violent when he runs the ball. He runs that ball wrecklessly with the way he moves. He has no problem dropping his shoulder and trying to make someone miss. He has no problems turning the speed on. He’s a solid back.”
Competition
1 Shedro Louis JR 5’8″ 170
Shedro broke out as a running back against Syracuse in 2020 when he rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns. He followed up that performance with a strong year in 2021 where he rushed for 463 yards and four touchdowns on 79 carries while playing in all 13 games and starting five. The former wide receiver, Louis had 18 receptions for 202 yards and two touchdowns last year.
Running Backs Coach Bruce Johnson – “There’s a lot of plans for him within the offense to make sure we get him on the field and use his ability. There’s some good plans in place for Shedro.”
2 TJ Green R-SR 5’11” 205
In his first year at Liberty last season, Green played in all 13 games and started two. He got 75 carries for 477 yards and four touchdowns, as he led all Liberty running backs in rushing yards on the year. Green also hauled in seven receptions for 54 yards. He will have his fair share of opportunities for the Flames this year.
Running Backs Coach Bruce Johnson – “He’s got to be able to dial in to the signals and whatever we’re trying to convey to them from play to play. He’s not doing bad at all. He’s got to continue to grow. We put a lot on them in the beginning of training camp. They get a little uncomfortable but that’s awesome, being uncomfortable brings great growth. As long as we keep doing that and keep bringing them along, they will all do fine, but TJ is doing great.”
23 Malik Caper R-SO 6’0″ 235
Caper is an interesting case. Ever since he came to Liberty the coaches have raved about his potential. He began as a linebacker with former linebackers coach and defensive coordinator Scott Symons where he pushed for playing time as a true freshmen before ultimately redshirting. A year ago, he was moved to running back and Coach Johnson talked about his potential in the room. He ended up playing in five games a year ago, finishing with two carries for five yards. Caper is expected to have a larger role this season, with his most likely role coming as a short yardage back.
Running Backs Coach Bruce Johnson – “He’s made some strides. The thing we had to ask him to do is the buy in to what his role was going to be. Him being a bigger back, the bigger of the bunch, learn how to play with his shoulders down, press his shoulders to the grass and run through people, get the first down, get the fourth and one, get the short yardage, whatever we ask for him to go in the game is to do what we ask him to do. He has some slashing ability, the ability to make some people miss. He has made some strides as far as getting his shoulders down to the grass and doing those things.”
