On Friday, Coach Gill released the updated 2017 football roster which confirmed the loss of defensive linemen DeCarlo Hamilton, Will Brown, and Javon Frazier, quarterback/running back Stephon Masha, and cornerback Tyrin Holloway.
Chris Turner, who was reported as transferring, is still listed on the roster. On April 5, 2017, he was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor, according to online court records. When asked about Turner’s pending legal issues, Coach Turner Gill said, “We’ll just let that take care of itself. He’s a student here. He’s a member of our football team, and we’ll just see what happens.
Loss of Holloway hurts at corner
Rising senior Tyrin Holloway, who graduated earlier this month, has elected to transfer after starting all 11 games at corner in 2016 and 22 career starts. He led the team last season with 5 interceptions while also registering 36 tackles, 6 pass breakups, and 11 pass deflections.
Tyrin Holloway will transfer
“We thank Holloway for all his services and things he did (while at Liberty),” Coach Gill said. He got his degree, and he chose to want to go somewhere else, and that’s his choice. Tyrin Holloway is a good man. I appreciate all he’s done.”
With his departure, Liberty will look to Turner, Jeremy Peters, Jimmy Faulks, and Malik Matthews to fill in at cornerback.
“Chris Turner is a guy that is still going to have a great opportunity to do some things,” Gill explained. “Malik Matthews, we were really counting on all last year. He got hurt, and you didn’t see a lot of him, but he’s a talented young man. He’s going to have to step up and do some things, and we’ll continue to recruit. We’ll find some other guys there that will compete for the position.”
Defensive line depth an issue
With the losses of Hamilton, Brown, and Frazier, the Flames’ defensive line depth quickly and suddenly becomes a concern. Those 3 combined for over 20 appearances, 3 starts, and 17 tackles in 2016.
Returners Juwan Wells and Dia’Vante Brown will look to anchor the line at defensive end. Tolen Avery could move back to the interior of the line alongside Gregg Storey. Coach Gill also made special mention of JUCO transfer Charles Franklin and stated the coaching staff is still out recruiting and hoping to get 1 or 2 more guys to bolster depth at DL.
Kentory Matthews expected to make impact at RB
JUCO running back Kentory Matthews will be fighting for playing time in the backfield and in special teams. “(Matthews) probably will be the fastest guy on our football team in the 40-yard dash,” Gill commented. “He’s not a big guy, probably 175 pounds or so, but he is quick and he can run.”
Mosley is the Flames’ top returning rusher
Matthews will look to break into a running back group that includes Carrington Mosley and Frankie Hickson. Todd Macon is out until at least October with a non-contact knee injury he suffered during spring practice. Mitchell Lewis, who was switched to tight end & full back for spring ball, has moved back to running back.
On the running back competition, Gill said, “Carrington Mosley can get some things done. (Mosley and Hickson) are both going to play a lot. We have 2 quality guys that we know can be very very productive for us, and we’ll find somebody else to help us.”
Flames expected to have as many as 79 scholarships in ’17
As Liberty continues to make preparations for full FBS status, Coach Gill says the Flames will have anywhere from 70 to as many as 79 scholarships in 2017. This is significantly above the FCS limit of 63, but still below the FBS limit of 85.
