As Liberty begins training camp this week, there are several position battles that head coach Jamey Chadwell is keeping tabs on. Obviously, the quarterback battle tops the list and is one we will monitor throughout camp.
Other than the QB position, here are the top position battles Chadwell and his staff has their eyes on during camp.
Wide Receiver
Chadwell’s take: “Wide Receiver is a big one now with the losses that we had there.”
The Flames were already thin at receiver and then Reese Smith and Victor Jones suffered knee injuries and will miss the 2023 season. Smith was expected to not only compete for a starting spot but perhaps be the team’s top target this season while Jones would have at least provided some depth.
Top names to watch here include Noah Frith, CJ Daniels, Errol Rogers, Elijah Smoot, Treon Sibley, and Kylen Austin. Will anyone separate themselves as a go to target the team could desperately use this fall?
Corner
Chadwell’s take: “There are some corner areas up for grabs. Who is going to be a starter there? We are going to play a lot of people, but who is actually going to be the starter?”
We know who is going to play here at corner. Kobe Singleton is a returning starter and is expected to compete for that spot once again. Amarian Williams could also take that next step and fight for a starting position. The other top contenders are newcomers in JUCO transfer Marquis Bell, Colorado transfer Joshua Wiggins, and Coastal Carolina transfer Elijah Hopkins.
Defensive Line
Chadwell’s take: “Defensive line, we’ve got an opportunity there. You rotate a lot at DLine, but we’ve got some guys there that are talented and young. I’m anxious to see how they impact there. Are they pushing some people for more playing time?”
There are a ton of new names and faces to learn on the defensive line. Other than Kendy Charles, most of the guys that will make up the rotation this season are either brand new to the program this year or have had limited roles in the past.
Bryce Dixon, Jay Hardy, and Tysheik Galloway will be the top names to keep an eye on for the interior of the line. The outside has plenty of contenders including Bryan Whitehead, TJ Bush, Larry Jones, Grey Carroll, Bryson Jennings, and Grey Carroll.
Offensive Line
Chadwell’s take: “From an offensive line standpoint, what’s that depth chart going to end up looking like with some of the guys that we have brought in that have some experience?”
The offensive line is a little bit different than the other positions listed. There are several known commodities at this position, it’s just a matter of where they all fit in together as well as blending them in with the new comers.
Brendan Schlittler and X’Zauvea Gadlin can be penciled in as starters. Schlittler will likely return to right guard while Gadlin could play at right or left tackle. Jordan White is likely going to be the team’s starting center. At left guard, Jonathan Graham and Jack Tucker will be duking it out this fall for a starting spot. Xavior Gray, a transfer from Akron, will also try to work his way into the starting lineup. Other names to keep an eye on up front include Harrison Hayes, Aaron Fenimore, Brian Hannibal, and Chase Mitchell.
