The Liberty Flames will play on January 1st in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl against Oregon, but that game won’t count towards the Liberty freshmen eligibility.

Freshmen are able to play in four games prior to the conference championship and bowl game and still maintain their freshman season of eligibility. This year, Liberty had two players that played in at least five games and will not redshirt this season.

WILL NOT REDSHIRT

Appeared in 13 games (1)

Defensive end TJ Bush (617 total snaps / 574 defensive snaps) – Bush was a starter at defensive end all season for the Flames, emerging there during spring practice. He enters the Fiesta Bowl with 30 tackles, 7 TFLs, 2 sacks, 3 pass breakups, and 3 QB hurries.

Appeared in six games (1)

Defensive end Larry Jones, III (66 total snaps / 64 defensive snaps) – Jones fought through some injuries during his true freshman campaign, limiting his production on the field. Still, he played in six games and was a key rotation piece for the Flames at defensive end when he was healthy.

WILL REDSHIRT

Appeared in five games, including championship game (1)

Running back Vaughn Blue (83 total snaps / 83 offensive snaps) – If it wasn’t for him getting injured against Buffalo early in the year, Blue would have burned his redshirt as a key member of the Flames’ offensive attack. He did return late in the season, but was able to maintain his year of eligibility. Blue finished the year with 18 rushes for 115 yards and 3 catches for 25 yards and a touchdown.

Appeared in four games (2)

Tight end Bo Burklow (37 total snaps / 29 offensive snaps)
Offensive lineman Austin Anderson (46 total snaps / 45 offensive snaps)

Appeared in three games (2)

Defensive tackle Eliyt Nairne (44 total snaps / 38 defensive snaps)
Offensive lineman Aaron Fenimore (42 total snaps / 41 offensive snaps)

Appeared in two games (1)

Safety Christian Bodnar (9 total snaps / 4 defensive snaps)

Appeared in one game (4)

Wide receiver Darius Copeland (6 total snaps / 6 offensive snaps)
Cornerback Jamal Miles (4 total snaps / 3 defensive snaps)
Defensive end Donovan Dozier (4 total snaps / 3 defensive snaps)
Defensive lineman Marius Landsfeld (2 total snaps / 2 defensive snaps)

Have not appeared in a game (3)

Quarterback Reese Mooney
Linebacker Olan Robinson
Offensive lineman Cal Grubbs