Hugh Freeze have concluded the first day of the Early Signing Period, which resulted in the signing of 19 scholarship athletes on Wednesday. For more information be sure to check out our Signing Day Live Blog and also hear everything that Coach Freeze had to say about the signing class.

Here are a few notes/thoughts on the class:

  1. The Flames were able to successfully seal the deal by signing all 19 prospects it targeted to sign Wednesday. There was a little bit of drama with 3-star CB Deon BIggins, but the coaching staff was able to get on the phone with him and get the lock down corner to make his commitment official.
  2. The signees came from 9 different states, led by 4 each from Georgia and North Carolina, 2 from Florida, Virginia, and Maryland, and 1 each from California, Illinois, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania.
  3. Liberty’s signing class consisted of 14 three-stars and 1 two-star prospects. This is by far the highest rated class the Flames have ever had, besting the 2019 class that had a final count of 1 four-star, 9 three-stars, and 8 two-star signees.
  4. Of the signees, 10 are expected to be early enrollees by joining the program in January for the spring semester, this includes all 4 JUCO transfers and the 1 graduate transfer.
  5. Defensive back and defensive line were the most targeted positions with 5 each making up the class. Liberty also signed 4 offensive linemen, 3 wide receivers, 1 quarterback, and 1 linebacker.
  6. The Flames made defense a priority, signing 8 on that side of the ball. The position breakdown was four defensive linemen, three wide receivers, two safeties, two defensive backs, a kicker/punter, and a quarterback.
  7. Look at the size of these 4 offensive linemen – 6’5″ 315, 6’6″ 300, 6’4″ 330, and 6’3″ 290. Compare that to this season’s startling line of 6’4″ 295, 6’1″ 300, 6’1″ 290, 6’1″ 330, 6’7″ 315. The Flames just got bigger.
  8. There was really only one target the Flames were still in play for that they lost on Wednesday, and that was JUCO offensive tackle target Tykeem Doss who signed with Southern Miss.
  9. Looking ahead, there are six spots left. Freeze specifically mentioned that he wants to add another linebacker and an offensive lineman for two of the spots. This leaves room for several other options, another quarterback and a tight end are likely targets as well.
  10. Looking ahead to the February signing period, Freeze said offensive and defensive line will be the main priority moving forward. This class is likely to grow to somewhere around 20 when it’s complete.