The transfer portal has officially closed. This means nobody can enter the portal any more ahead of the 2026 season. There will still be some additions to teams’ rosters, including Liberty’s, but we have a pretty good look now at what this roster will look like when the season begins this fall. Coming off a 4-8 season, the Flames will be looking to get back to the top of Conference USA in 2026 and turn around the recent slide.

This projected depth chart will continue to change throughout the offseason as we go through spring practice, summer workouts and training camp, but doing this now gives us an idea of what the roster currently looks like.

Quarterback: Deshawn Purdie OR Ethan Vasko
Backup: Ethan Houck

Vasko will miss spring ball as he comes off shoulder surgery, and it’s clear the Flames have brought in Purdie hoping he can win the starting job. Still, that’s something he will have to earn on the field.

Running Back: (A-Back) Jaylon Coleman; (B-Back) Kam Davis OR Peyton Jones
Backup: (A-Back) Justin Marshall (B-Back) Terron Kellman

Liberty had to completely rebuild its running back room through the transfer portal, bringing in four additions in Kam Davis, Peyton Jones, Justin Marshall, and Terron Kellman. Like 2025, it might take a few weeks into the season before we learn the true pecking order of this group.

Wide Receiver: Jamari Person
Backup: Nas Newkirk

Wide Receiver: Makai Jackson
Backup: Jon Monteiro OR Eric Smith

Wide Receiver: Rashawn Cunningham
Backup: Bryce Randolph

The additions of Makai Jackson and Rashawn Cunningham give the Flames some experience in the room to go alongside Jamari Person. These two will certainly be counted on to contribute on the field this season. It should be expected that the team still looks to add another receiver or two through the portal before the season begins. The Flames will also be counting on some younger, less experienced names at the position.

Left Tackle: DJ Geth
Backup: Valen Erickson OR Jude Foster

Left Guard: Joep Engbers
Backup: Blake Heckmann

Center: Aaron Fenimore
Backup: Gabe Smith

Right Guard: Alex Birchmeier
Backup: Kevin Evehe

Right Tackle: Austin Anderson
Backup: Christian Williams

The Flames are currently slated to return four of five starters from 2025, only losing Harrison Hayes. The team was able to keep this core together and add several pieces in the portal, to what should be a strength of the offense entering the season.

Tight End: Caleb Ryan OR Kelsey Johnson
Back up: Bo Burklow OR Breckan Kirby OR Zeke Wimbush

Liberty added two transfers at tight end to help solidify the depth with Caleb Ryan and Bo Burklow the only tight ends set to return.

Defensive End: Aaron Hester
Backup: Michael Floyde

Defensive Tackle: Mike Jarvis OR Henry Hicks
Backup: Nate Pirolli OR Kam Cullins

Defensive Tackle: Markus Clark OR DJ Jackson
Backup: Joe Strickland OR Sam Cohen

Joker: Brenton Williams
Backup: Lorenzo Payne

Liberty is actually slated to return most of its two-deep on the defensive line, only losing CJ Bazile, Bryce Dixon, Eli Hall, and Donovan Dozier. With the addition of JUCO DE Michael Floyde and West Florida edge Lorenzo Payne, the Flames have already started to add to the group. Getting Brenton Williams to return was a huge addition to the group.

Mike: Aidan Vaughn OR Micah Pollard
Backup: Deuce Spurlock OR Kyle Ferm

Will: Derrell Farrar
Backup: Dillano Glaud OR Ethan Crisp

We saw what this group looks like in the post-Joe Carter era at the end of the season. Now, looking ahead to 2026, this group has the potential to be the leaders of the defense. The Flames added SMU transfer Kyle Ferm who will look to make his way onto the two-deep.

Cornerback: Elijah Hopkins OR Izaiah Guy
Backup: Jamal Miles OR Prince Cottonham

Cornerback: Quavo Marshall OR Ashton McShane
Backup: Myke Gunn OR Elijah McKenzie

A lot of production was lost at corner with Damond Harmon, Dexter Ricks, and Amarian Williams all leaving. The top returning corners are Quavo Marshall and Elijah Hopkins. Liberty has also added Prince Cottonham and Elijah McKenzie who should factor in. The Flames brought in Izaiah Guy (USF) and Ashton McShane (Boston College) through the portal so far.

Safety: D’Icey Hopkins
Backup: Jayden Whaley

Safety: Tyrell Gainey
Backup: Davion Dean

Safety: Ashton Whitner
Backup: Dylan Mullins

Whaley was a transfer from Hampton a year ago who did not see the field but will certainly have opportunities this season after this position group has been completely raided due to graduations and the portal. D’Icey Hopkins will certainly be a factor at safety as will Ashton Whitner. Tyrell Gainey, a transfer from Albany State, will likely end up a safety for the Flames due to depth needs. Liberty should continue to be active here, and we could also see someone move over to the safety room from corner.

Kicker: Tyler Black OR Chase Reeves

Punter: Sam Crossan OR Chase Reeves

Long Snapper: Greg Rivera

Holder: Sam Crossan

Kick Returner: Jon Monteiro

Punt Returner: TBD

Liberty will once again have a new kicker next season. Tyler Black transferred in from Wake Forest last year and should have a decent shot to win the job. Sam Crossan is the likely favorite to take over for Max Morgan at punter. Chase Reeves has joined the group as a Division II transfer and has played both punter and kicker.