Training camp is well underway as the Flames prepare for the season opener August 31st against Syracuse and the 2019 season. While there are plenty of position battles up for grabs as the coaching staff has repeatedly stated the depth chart is etched in sand, here are the top ones to watch this month.
Offensive Line
Tristan Schultz, Thomas Sargeant, and Dontae Duff are pretty stable in their respective starting spots, but Damian Bounds at left guard and Sam Isaacson at right tackle could definitely be pushed during August. Ethan Crawford and Maisen Knight are two names to watch.
Crawford has started 18 games in his career at Liberty. The 6’4″, 300 pound senior was working with the 3rd string unit during open practice on Sunday.
Knight is a 6’5″, 300 pound JUCO transfer that joined the team this summer from Ventura College. The Flames plucked him from the likes of Kent State, Middle Tennessee, and UMass who were all pursuing. He was a 3-star recruit and Coach Freeze said back at signing day that he was hopeful Knight could compete for a starting tackle spot.
Defensive Line
Austin Lewis and Jessie Lemonier are solid at each defensive end spot, and Vincent Elefante will likely begin the season starting at a defensive tackle spot. The other starting defensive tackle and 2nd string are completely up for the taking. Ralfs Rusins is currently slotted on the first team at DT, but it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see a JUCO transfer beat him out.
Devonte Lloyd and Elijah James will be pushing Rusins and will almost certainly both find their way into the rotation. Other names to watch here include true freshmen TreShaun Clark and Brayden Monday. Clark could play anywhere on the line and Monday could push his way into the rotation at defensive end.
Running Back
Most likely, we will see a running back by committee approach again this season. Expect Frankie Hickson and Peytton Pickett to get carries. The fight will be who else breaks into that room. The favorite is Maine transfer Joshua Mack, but Troy Henderson, Treon Sibley, and Frank Boyd have all show glimpses of being capable.
