Update 5/4: Liberty defensive back Cedric Stone has accepted a rookie minicamp invitation with the Washington Commanders on Tuesday, bringing the total number of Liberty players that have been either drafted, signed as undrafted free agents, or accepted minicamp invites for the 2022 NFL Draft class to 10.
Update: Liberty defensive tackle Ralfs Rusins accepted a rookie minicamp invitation with the Baltimore Ravens on Monday.
Liberty offensive lineman Tristan Schultz accepted a rookie minicamp invitation with the Miami Dolphins on Monday, adding to the list of Flames’ agreeing to terms with NFL teams.
With the 9 total players that were either drafted, signed as undrafted free agents, or accepted minicamp invites as part of the 2022 NFL Draft class, it sets a Liberty football program record for the most players that have agreed to terms with NFL teams in one class.
Previous: The 2021 NFL Draft concluded on Saturday. The three-day event saw Liberty’s Malik Willis become the first quarterback ever selected in the draft from the school as he was taken in the third round by the Tennessee Titans on Friday. Willis is not the only former Flame getting an NFL shot out of the 2022 class, though.
A total of six Flames in addition to Willis have inked deals with NFL teams, four as undrafted free agents and two accepting rookie minicamp invitations. Skyler Thomas, Kevin Shaa, Duron Lowe, and Storey Jackson agreed to terms as undrafted free agents. Elijah James and Johnny Huntley accepted minicamp invites.
Skyler Thomas agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. The safety spent the 2021 season with Liberty after transferring in from Washington State. He will be most remembered for his acrobatic interception returned for a touchdown in the 2021 Lending Tree Bowl against Eastern Michigan. Thomas played in all 13 games while making 11 starts during the 2021 campaign. He finished the year with 55 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, tied for the team lead wi th two interceptions to go along with three pass breakups..
The Chicago Bears inked wide receiver Kevin Shaa, including a $14,000 signing bonus, according to reports. Shaa played in 13 games in 2021 for the Flames, making 8 starts. He caught 28 passes for 516 yards and 6 touchdowns. In 2020, the former JUCO receiver played in all 11 games, starting 9 as he was named VaSID All-State second team after leading the Flames with four touchdowns and finishing second on the team with 32 receptions and 363 receiving yards.
The Los Angeles Rams agreed to terms with Duron Lowe. The corner back spent the 2021 season at Liberty after transferring from UTEP. He played in and started all 13 games, finishing with 31 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and six pass breakups.
Storey Jackson signed as an undrafted free agent with the Dallaw Cowboys that includes a $5,000 signing bonus and $65,000 in total guarantees, according to reports. Jackson concluded his collegiate career with the Flames in 2021 after playing with Prairie View A&M. The linebacker led the team in tackles with 102 to go along with 13 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and 1 interception in 13 games played, starting 12.
Elijah James and Johnny Huntley each accepted minicamp invites to the Chicago Bears. James played in 13 games at defensive tackle in 2021 for the Flames, getting 12 starts. He finished the season with 45 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks. He will be remembered for his blocked kick in overtime against Coastal Carolina in the 2020 Cure Bowl, securing the win for the Flames.
Huntley played in all 13 games during his final collegiate season at Liberty in 2021. The tight end finished the year with 13 receptions for 148 yards and two touchdowns. In 2020, Huntley had 15 receptions for 201 yards and three scores, which followed the 2019 season in which he finished with 196 receiving yards.
