We continue our position previews as Liberty continues to prepare for the 2022 season. Today, we turn our attention to the tight ends.
Be sure to check out our previous position previews if you have missed any:
Defensive Line
Linebackers
Safeties
Corners
Special Teams
This year is a bit of a transition for the Flames at tight end as Johnny Huntley and Trevor Hobbs have moved on. With them out of the picture, Jerome Jackson steps into the forefront. He’s joined by fellow sixth-year senior Michael Bollinger, Brayden Monday and three newcomers to the team.
Tight ends coach Ben Aigamaua – “The offense that we run, the tight end position is very important. We’ve got to cross train a lot of guys. It really helps that we’ve got Jerome back, who’s a vet, who’s had a lot of snaps. Really proud of what he’s doing here now. The improvement he’s had, especially in the catching game, has been night and day. Then, we have Mike who is always a solid kid for us that you can depend on in the game. Getting Austin and Bentley was big for us. Austin is a kid that can stretch the field. I love the physicality he comes with. He’s playing with really good ball skills. Bentley the same way, then Brayden, he’s coming along. He’s doing really great, having a great camp. Our room is a lot of depth, there is a lot of talent, Obviously, we have Teigan, that’s another 6’6″ kid that we’re bringing in with size and length. As camp keeps growing on, I think guys are starting to understand the concepts of this offense and really doing very well for us right now.”
Frontrunner
TE 88 Jerome Jackson R-SR 6’3″ 255
Jackson has played in Huntley’s shadow the past few seasons, but he has been on the field just as much as the outgoing tight end. Jackson has played in 47 games while making eight starts in his career. He’s typically been looked at as the blocking tight end where Huntley was viewed as more of a threat in the receiving game. Coach Aigamaua has spoken highly of Jackson’s growth as a receiving option, and he has shown the ability at times during his career. Last season, Jackson had four receptions for 14 yards and two touchdowns.
Tight ends coach Ben Aigamaua – “Having Jerome has been really, really good for Bentley. It’s been good for Austin, Teigan. He’s never really been a vocal guy. He leads by example. The thing that he does great is he sets the standard in that room. He knows what it takes to be where he’s at. He knows the standard that is expected within our room. He sets the tone in there for those guys as far as the hard work, the techniques that come with it, and the work that needs to learn what we do offensively no matter if you’re going in there in the 11 personnel or 12 personnel. We’ve got some packages where we have three of those guys go in. He’s teaching those guys what the standard is in that room. It’s always great to have a vet in that room to understand what we’re doing.”
Competition
TE 83 Austin Henderson R-SO 6’6″ 240
Henderson comes to Liberty from Minnesota where he played in one game over his two seasons with the Golden Gophers. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Henderson was a three-star prospect out of high school. He will be counted on to make an impact for the Flames this season.
Tight ends coach Ben Aigamaua – “(Bentley and Austin) picked it up very well in the spring. That’s what helped them a lot, going through the playbook, going through the concepts. Those two guys are very, very football smart. They understand what we’re trying to do. Six months, seven months into the offense, they are doing very well right now. Obviously, those two guys can stretch the field for us. We will have some things where we can utilize both of them. It’s been awesome to have those two guys. Those two have really upgraded our room to where we’re at now.”
TE 30 Michael Bollinger R-SR 5’11” 245
Bollinger is one of the more experienced players on Liberty’s roster as he’s played in 45 games during his career. The former fullback transitioned to tight end when Coach Freeze took over the reigns. He provides an experienced and steady performer for Coach Aigamaua, who refers to him as his safety blanket. Last season, Bollinger played in all 13 games, with 1 start, while rushing the ball once for two yards and catching one pass for nine yards.
Tight ends coach Ben Aigamaua – “He’s my security blanket. He knows his role within our offense. He takes it with pride. We will have some things for him, but the thing with Mike, all he wants to do is take his role, do what he can do to help the team, and do it the best of his abilities. Mike has been always great for us. Love his attitude, love the work ethic that he brings into the room. The standard that him and Jerome set is going to be tough when those two leave because those guys have set the standard. Hopefully Bentley, Austin, and Brayden can carry that torch to the younger guys.”
TE 15 Bentley Hanshaw R-JR 6’5″ 250
Hanshaw comes to Liberty from BYU where he had limited playing time the past few years. He’s one of the oldest guys in the room as he enrolled at BYU in 2017 as a true freshman when he redshirted. He then took a two-year mission trip before returning to school and the football team in 2020 and 2021. Now, he’s looking to grow into a role at Liberty.
Tight ends coach Ben Aigamaua – “(Bentley and Austin) picked it up very well in the spring. That’s what helped them a lot, going through the playbook, going through the concepts. Those two guys are very, very football smart. They understand what we’re trying to do. Six months, seven months into the offense, they are doing very well right now. Obviously, those two guys can stretch the field for us. We will have some things where we can utilize both of them. It’s been awesome to have those two guys. Those two have really upgraded our room to where we’re at now.”
TE 87 Brayden Monday R-FR 6’4″ 235
Monday continues to develop after transitioning from defensive end where he spent his true freshman season with the Flames. After having time to learn the position, Monday is expected to break into the rotation at tight end with a role this season.
Tight ends coach Ben Aigamaua – “I love the kid. I love his attitude. He’s kind of where Jerome was three years ago. To see the transition from defensive end to tight end in two years time he’s done an amazing job. He’s going to be able to help us this year. I’m really looking forward to seeing Brayden out there in real live snaps and helping give Jerome some of that rest when we need it. I’m excited for him. He’s done a really good job of changing his body. A year ago today he was 226, he got up to 250 in a year’s time. He understands what he needs to get done and it’s really awesome to see the transition and the mindset change from a year ago to today.”
Depth
TE 84 Teigan Martin FR 6’5″ 220
With the depth ahead of him, Martin is expected to redshirt this season as he grows into his body and continues to learn the offense.
Tight ends coach Ben Aigamaua – “We will get Teigan ready for years to come. Another 6’6″ body that’s going to be ready to go here in a couple of years. That’s the plan (to redshirt him), so we can build his body up to where it was with Brayden two years ago. If that frame gets up to 250, we’ve got something cooking.”
