When rising senior cornerback Wesley Scott was lost to injury for the season in spring practice, it was a setback for the defensive backs. Scott was one of the leaders and the veteran of the group having played in 34 games during his career at Liberty. After all summer and training camp of trying to fill Scott’s hole, cornerbacks coach Marshall Roberts thinks he’s finally got a group that is up to the challenge. “I have a really solid group of 4 guys that can really play. They really understand and are getting smarter each and every day. We’re just refining some techniques and tools.”
One of those four is Jeremy Peters. “He’s really explosive, a very strong athlete, very physical,” Coach Roberts stated. “The biggest thing is how smart he is. He’s able to diagnose things very quickly. He holds himself accountable. He’s that kind of person that could be a captain. He has that kind of leadership ability.” As a true freshman last season, Peters played in all 11 games, recording 17 tackles and an interception he returned for a touchdown against Charleston Southern.
Another returning starter is Chris Turner. Turner was named 2nd team all conference following his freshman season in 2015 after recording 4 interceptions, the most by a Liberty freshman since 1999. “He’s a ball hawk. He has a nose for the ball,” Roberts said.
Tyrin Holloway is the veteran in the room, as he enters his 4th season with the program. “He’s practicing at a high level,” said Coach Roberts. “If you ask me who’s the most conditioned, physically the same guy each and every day because he took care of himself this summer, it’s Tyrin Holloway. He looks like he has prepared himself this summer.”
Joining this group of 4, is redshirt-freshman Malik Matthews. “He learns quickly,” Roberts explained. “(He) can take something from the board and do it that same day without a hitch. His biggest attribute is he can run and he’s physical. So, he’s like the total package player.”
Solomon McGinty
A true freshman cornerback who will play this season is Jimmy Faulks, Jr. Coach Roberts spoke very highly of his study habits. “I haven’t had a freshman in a while who will study the playbook on his own, and ask questions the following day like he does. He’s got the physical attributes. He has the speed, the strength, but now that football IQ makes him a commodity that we have to take a look at.”
Ceneca Espinoza, Jr. entered the program as a safety, but, after Wesley Scott went down to injury, he was moved to cornerback. Espinoza will redshirt this year, but he’s made an impression during camp. “This last scrimmage he just had, you could easily say he could be a starter for us,” defensive coordinator Robert Wimberly said. “He played tremendously well in the scrimmage when we went against our 1s. He actually had a really incredible pick. I can tell you this guy is going to be special.”
At safety, the Flames have a few experienced players back as well JUCO transfer Solomon McGinty. Coach Gill has spoken highly of McGinty since he arrived on campus in January. “He’s just a good football player. Savvy about the game, he understands the game, he understands the how and the why and more importantly the what. He has energy. Good tackler, he’s a physical player. He has a passion and love for the game. Loves being in the weight room. Just everything about the football part of it. He loves it. And an outstanding person and we’re just glad he’s on our football team. He’s going to help us be successful.” Coach Wimberly reiterates McGinty’s love for the game. “I love his physicality. He brings a lot of energy to practice, he just loves to play the game.”
Brandon Tillmon
Cam Jackson and Alpha Jalloh have been competing at one of the safety spots. Currently, the sophomore Jackson is slightly ahead of the senior Jalloh. “Jackson, right now, is doing a little better job with the ball skills, having more picks, getting guys lined up. But, Alpha Jalloh, I consider him a starter,” explained Wimberly.
Corbin Jackson, who spent all of the 2015 season at the spur safety spot, has transitioned to free safety. He finished 6th on the team with 47 tackles. He also contributed 6.5 tackles for loss and 2 quarterback hurries.
True freshman Brandon Tillmon will see playing time in 2016. He was recruited to play both football and baseball at Liberty after being a standout at River Bluff High School in Lexington, South Carolina under former Coastal Carolina head coach David Bennett. Wimberly likes what he sees out of Tillmon. “Brandon Tillmon has come on the scene and really just blew up my room as far as being able to understand in a short time, at a high level, our defensive scheme. I think by him playing quarterback in high school, and having an opportunity to be coached by a college coach in David Bennett, it helped him really understand how he needed to be prepared to come to camp, and he’s demonstrated that at a high level.”
