Signing day is over and Liberty has their roster set for the 2023 season as we enter the spring. Of course, there is another period when the transfer portal opens back up following spring ball, but for the most part the roster is set.

There has been a decent amount of turnover for the Flames, something that has become much more common with the transfer portal. Add in a coaching change, and there is certain to be some level of change in the composition of the roster. With 28 new members of the roster, this projected depth chart is very much a work in progress.

Here’s a look at our projected depth chart for the Flames’ following signing day and as we move towards spring ball:

Quarterback: Johnathan Bennett (RJr.) OR Trey Lowe (RJr.) OR Kaidon Salter (RSo.)

For a second straight season, there will be plenty of questions about Liberty’s quarterback situation. Will a clear starter emerge? Will there be a battle heading into the season? Bennett and Salter will certainly get their fair shake to see if they can emerge as the starter. Southern Miss transfer Trey Lowe is the only one in the room that was brought in by this coaching staff, so he will certainly be in the mix, as well.

Liberty also has Nate Hampton with another year of experience under his belt and incoming true freshman Reese Mooney who was highly rated. We will definitely be keeping tabs on this position battle throughout the spring.

Running Back: Shedro Louis (Sr.) OR Quinton Cooley (RJr) OR Jaimes Jointer Jr (RFr) OR Dae Dae Hunter (RJr)

That’s a lot of “OR’s” lol. Let’s put it this way, this running back room is as deep as any we have seen at Liberty. We know what Shedro provides, and, honestly, it might be in the team’s best interests to move him to slot receiver which is where he was originally recruited to play. Jointer joins from Arkansas without a ton of experience at the college level but very talented and with a high ceiling. Cooley showcased his skills at Wake Forest and should be able to slide into a role immediately. It’s great to have Dae Dae back after flirting with the portal. The additions to the roster will help him take his time recovering from the injury suffered at Arkansas.

Malik Caper is also in the mix and could provide some depth while true freshman Vaughn Blue is a good candidate to redshirt unless there are injuries in the season.

Wide Receiver (X): CJ Yarbrough (RSr.)
Backup: Treon Sibley (RJr.)

Wide Receiver (Z): Noah Frith (RSr.)
Backup: Errol Rogers (Jr.)

Wide Receiver (H): CJ Daniels (RSo.)
Backup: Reese Smith (RJr.)

Errol Rogers and Reese Smith are two big additions to the room that will, at the least, provide some experience and depth. Yarbrough and Frith return to help solidify the Flames on the outside, while CJ Daniels returns off an injury and should get to full speed by the start of the summer. Treon Sibley also continues to improve and will make an impact for the team, as well. A couple young guys in Markel Fortenberry and Kylen Austin could also work into the mix this year.

Left Tackle: Reggie Young (RSr.)
Backup: Harrison Hayes (Jr.)

Left Guard: Jordan White (RSo.)
Backup: Chase Mitchell (RJr.)

Center: John Kourtis (RSr.)
Backup:  Aaron Fenimore (Fr.)

Right Guard: Brendan Schlittler (RSr.)
Backup: Brian Hannibal (RJr.)

Right Tackle: X’Zauvea Gadlin (RSr.)
Backup: Jonathan Graham (RSr.)

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Flames add another offensive lineman or two in the spring transfer portal. West Virginia transfer Jordan White will help immediately bolster the group’s depth while true freshman Aaron Fenimore could also push his way into the two-deep. Brendan Schlittler and X’Zauvea Gadlin return to provide some leadership and experience to the group while John Kourtis finally gets his shot to be the team’s starting center. A few young guys that have had limited roles so far in their career will need to step up to provide depth.

Tight End: Bentley Hanshaw (RSr.)
Back up: Austin Henderson (RJr.) OR Jacob Jenkins.(Jr.)

It feels like the tight end room has been completely remade. Hanshaw, Henderson, and Brayden Monday return while the new coaching staff has brought in Coastal Carolina transfer Jacob Jenkins, JUCO transfer Billy Durocher, and high school signee Bo Burklow.

Defensive End: Stephen Sings V (RJr.)
Backup: Bryan Whitehead II (RSo.)

Defensive Tackle: Kendy Charles (RJr.)
Backup: Chris Boti (Jr.)

Nose Guard: Jay Hardy (RSo.)
Backup: Bryce Dixon (So.)

Defensive End: TreShaun Clark (Sr.)
Backup: Khristian Zachary (Jr.)

The Flames will be multiple on defense, playing in the 3-4, 4-2-5, etc. Due to that, it’s difficult to be an exact depth chart together, especially for the front seven as there will be some flexibility. For example, JUCO All-American Bryan Whitehead II will be playing the newly minted ‘Joker’ position which is very similar to the Bandit position Liberty has had in recent seasons. This will allow Whitehead to play in a defensive spot in some packages and as more of an outside linebacker in others.

Kendy Charles and TreShaun Clark are now the leaders of the defensive line. Stephen Sings, Khristian Zachary and Jay Hardy will also see plenty of time on the field. JUCO transfer Tysheik Galloway should also be able to step into the rotation on the defensive line.

Mike: Tyren Dupree (RSr.)
Backup: Jordan Norwood (RFr.)

Will: Aakil Washington (RJr.)
Backup: Jerome Jolly, Jr. (RJr.)

Linebacker will be another position that will be interesting to watch in the spring, and it also wouldn’t be surprising for the coaching staff to pursue another player in the portal following spring practice. The loss of Mike Smith, Jr and Ahmad Walker is felt by looking at the initial depth chart, but this is certain to change.

Dupree and Washington provide plenty of experience and talent while Norwood and Jolly have a lot of potential. Other names to watch here include Maurice Freeman, III who has moved to linebacker from safety and Kaci Seegars who should be close to full health following an injury that hampered him in 2022.

Cornerback: Kobe Singleton (RJr.)
Backup: Daijahn Anthony (RSr.)

Cornerback: Amarian Williams (RSo.)
Backup: Marquis Bell (So.)

Singleton, Anthony, and Williams return to provide a solid nucleus. The Flames also welcome in JUCO transfer Marquis Bell and Coastal Carolina transfer Elijah Hopkins.

Nickel: Quinton Reese (RJr.)
Backup: Preston Hodge (RSo.)

Safety: Brylan Green (So.)
Backup: Jaylon Jimmerson (RJr.)

Free Safety: Brandon Bishop (RSr.)
Backup: A’Khori Jones (So.)

The safety room will look much different for Liberty in 2023. Quinton Reese steps into more of a leadership role while incoming transfer Brandon Bishop should provide help this coming season. Brylan Green and A’Khori Jones, talented true freshmen who saw plenty of playing time in 2022, will also factor into the rotation here. Incoming JUCO transfer Jabin Ford, Jaylon Jimmerson and Jayden Sweeney are others to watch here, as well.

Kicker: Nick Brown (RSo.)
Backup: Brayden Beck (RSo.)

Punter: Max Morgan (RSo.)

Long Snapper: Austin Turner (RSo.)

Holder: Max Morgan (RSo.)

Kick Returner: Shedro Louis (Sr.)

Punt Returner: Shedro Louis (Sr.)

Nick Brown staked his claim to Liberty’s starting kicker as the 2022 season progressed, but now he has a new coaching staff to impress. We saw what Brayden Beck could do as a freshman in 2021 before an injury set him back last season. Max Morgan should also slide in at punter while Austin Turner will try to offset the loss of Austin Mock at long snapper. Watch for Shedro Louis and other names to emerge to assist him in the return game.