Here’s how former Liberty players fared over the past week in the NFL preseason.
QB MALIK WILLIS
Willis was drafted in the 3rd round of this past year’s draft by the Tennessee Titans, where he is competing in camp with Ryan Tannehill and Logan Woodside. Tannehill is entrenched as the starter while Willis is competing with Woodside to earn the backup spot during the preseason, a job held by Woodside the past couple of seasons.
In his first preseason game a week ago, Willis completed 6 of 11 passes for 107 yards to go along with 5 carries for 38 yards and a touchdown.
In his second game this past Saturday night against Tampa Bay, Willis made his home debut in Nashville and once again got the start for the Titans. He was 7 of 17 passing for 80 yards and threw his first career NFL touchdown. He also had 5 carries for 42 yards with a long of 24 yards.
So far during the preseason, Willis is 13 of 28 passing for 186 yards and 1 touchdown while rushing 10 times for 80 yards and a touchdown.
Next game: vs Arizona, Saturday, Aug. 27, 7:00 p.m.
.@malikwillis put up 80 yards – a TD through the air and 42 yards on the ground – for the @Titans in his 2nd week of preseason action! #TBvsTEN pic.twitter.com/P4kYUVgH9i
— NFL (@NFL) August 21, 2022
LB STOREY JACKSON
Jackson spent one year at Liberty following his time at Prairie View A&M. He was one of the top defensive players for the Flames in 2021, and now he is with the Dallas Cowboys where he was signed as an undrafted free agent.
In his first preseason game a week ago, He was second on the team with 6 tackles to go along with 1 TFL. He played in 71% of the team’s defensive snaps with 49 while also getting 7 snaps on special teams.
This past weekend, Jackson recorded 2 tackles against the Chargers.
Next game: vs Seattle, Friday, Aug. 26, 8:00 p.m.
WR KEVIN SHAA
Shaa has turned heads at times during the preseason with the Chicago Bears as he fights to stick with an NFL team after being signed by Chicago as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 draft. After not hauling in a reception on his two targets in his first preseason game. This past Thursday, Shaa caught 2 of his three targets for 22 yards.
Week 2 preseason: 2 catches for 22 yards on 3 targets.
Next game: @ Cleveland, Saturday, Aug. 27, 7:00 p.m.
CB DURON LOWE
The talented corner was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Rams following the 2022 draft.
In his first preseason game a week ago, Lowe had 2 tackles while playing 16 defensive snaps and 3 snaps on special teams.
This past weekend, playing Friday night, Lowe was second on the team with 6 tackles, as well as a pass breakup in the end zone and a forced fumble on special teams that led to a scoop and score for the Rams.
Next game: at Cincinnati, Saturday, Aug. 27, 6:00 p.m.
S ELIJAH BENTON
Benton was signed by the Tennessee Titans on August 9th. He played in the first preseason game for the Titans a week ago, playing 10 snaps on defense without recording any stats. He was waived by the Titans following the game.
Benton spent his rookie year in 2020 with the Browns and went back and forth between the active roster and the practice squad much of the season. He was signed to a reserve/futures contract by the Browns in January 2021 before being waived by the franchise at the end of the preseason. He spent time on the practice squad for the Patriots, Seahawks, and Jets in 2021.
OLB JESSIE LEMONIER
Somewhat surprisingly, Lemonier was waived by the Cardinals following the first preseason game a week ago in which he played 13 snaps, had three QB hurries, two QB hits, and a strip sack.
After going undrafted in 2020, Lemonier was quickly signed by the Los Angeles Chargers where he spent his rookie campaign going back and forth from their active to inactive roster. Lemonier played in six games in 2020, recording two tackles. He played in 7 games with two starts with the Detroit Lions last year, recording 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
S SKYLER THOMAS
Thomas was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Chargers following the 2022 draft and recorded a sack in his first preseason game. However, Thomas was one of five cuts by the Chargers following the game as the team trimmed its roster to 85.