We continue to countdown towards the 2024 football season where Liberty will look to repeat as Conference USA champs under head coach Jamey Chadwell all while looking to make it back to a 6th straight bowl game.
Be sure to check out our previous rankings of #30-21 and #20-11 as we conclude today with our ranking of players #10-1.
10. Billy Lucas
It wasn’t just one person that should get all the credit for the Flames’ leading the nation in rushing in 2023, but Billy Lucas certainly deserves his fair share of the credit. He gets overshadowed some by Quinton Cooley, but Lucas is a very capable running back and helps make Liberty offensive backfield one of the best in the country.
9. Bryce Dixon
Dixon was one of Liberty’s top recruits in his class a couple of seasons ago. Now, with two years under his belt, Dixon has all the makings to become an all-conference performer in 2024.
8. Quinton Reese
Quinton Reese has been so consistent and steady for Liberty at safety that he’s almost been taken for granted. Don’t make that mistake as the Flames’ leader on defense will help anchor the defensive backfield and entire defensive unit this fall.
7. Julian Gray
The NC State transfer and former four-star recruit out of high school, Gray comes to Liberty after playing for the Wolfpack for three seasons. He was an all-conference kick returner and also made an impact at receiver for the ACC squad. Now, he comes to Lynchburg where he has the potential to be a game changer for Liberty in a similar role to that of what we saw from Aaron Bedgood last season.
6. TJ Bush
TJ Bush was able to hold down the defensive end position for the Flames as a true freshman last year. With a full off-season under his belt and following the conclusion of his second spring and summer in the program, Bush should see a huge tick up in production on the field for Liberty this season.
5. Xavior Gray
Gray enters his second season with the Flames as he should once again hold down the right tackle spot. It was a position he held last year on one of the top offensive line groups in the country. He enters this season in terrific condition and should be able to grab NFL scouts’ attention with his size and mobility.
4. Brylan Green
After a solid true freshman campaign in 2022, Green exploded onto the scene last fall, becoming one of the top players on the team and in Conference USA. Now, the dynamic athlete is poised to become one of the top defensive backs in the entire country.
3. Quinton Cooley
With the dynamic play of Kaidon Salter, the play of Quinton Cooley can sometimes be underappreciated, but make no mistake about it, the Flames don’t have the level of success they had in 2023 (and won’t in 2024) without Cooley. He’s not only one of the top returning backs in the Group of Five, he is one of the top returning backs in the entire country.
2. Jordan White
Offensive linemen many time go under the radar and that has certainly been the case for White. The former West Virginia transfer came to Liberty a year ago and immediately was able to grab hold of the starting center position. He led an offensive line unit last year that helped pave the way for one of the most dynamic offenses in the country and the top rushing attack in the FBS. Now, this fall he is the leader of the unit and enters his second season in the program and as the team’s starting center, as we should see him take a significant leap forward in his already stellar play.
1. Kaidon Salter
In our top 30 ranking last year, we said that Kaidon Salter had the potential to vault to #1 on this ranking entering the 2024 season and that is exactly where he finds himself. His playmaking ability and potential provides the Flames with the ability to reach the CFP this season as the top ranked G5 conference champion. Liberty can go as far as #7 can take them.
