This is the fourth piece in a five-part series taking a look at Liberty football entering 2026 fall practices. Be sure to check back for the rest of this series throughout the week as we tackle a variety of Liberty football topics.

Every year in college football there are players who take huge leaps and step into the spotlight. That is no different now, and probably even amplified with the transfer portal leading to so much roster turnover each and every year. Here are a few players we see that could step into the spotlight for the Flames in 2026.

RB Kanye Udoh

There will be at least one name that explodes onto the scene from the running back position this season. There’s no question in that as the Flames have to replace its top four running backs from last season. Liberty has been one of the top rushing teams in the country under head coach Jamey Chadwell over the past three seasons, including leading the nation in rushing in 2023. Liberty brought in several backs that will be competing for a spot on the field this fall. Kanye Udoh has had the most success at the position in college as he rushed for over 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 for an Army team that went 12-2 and won the AAC championship. He transferred to Arizona State last year where he rushed 56 times for 240 yards while averaging 4.3 yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns.

LB Deuce Spurlock

Deuce Spurlock began his career at Michigan before transferring to Florida for a couple of seasons. He never was able to break into the rotation at either of those stops before he transferred to Liberty ahead of the 2025 season. In 9 games played last year, Spurlock finished with 15 tackles. Those aren’t numbers that jump off the page for someone ready to make a breakout, but he was hand-picked by head coach Jamey Chadwell as one of five players named to the 2026 CUSA Preseason Watch List earlier this month. Could Spurlock be ready to make a huge leap forward after one season in the program?

WR Makai Jackson

Similar to the running back position, the Flames must find replacements for 7 of its top 8 pass catchers from last year. Makai Jackson comes to Liberty after spending last season with the eventual national champs in Indiana where he played in four games with three receptions for 15 yards.. Prior to that, he was at Appalachian State for two seasons finishing with 73 receptions for 1,163 yards and seven touchdowns. He had 46 catches for 745 yards and five touchdowns in 2024. He would have led the Flames in each of those categories with those numbers each of the last two seasons as Liberty has had difficulty finding a replacement after CJ Daniels transferred away following 2023. Many are expected Jackson to make a big impact this season as both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports have named him to CUSA Preseason All-Conference teams.

S D-Icey Hopkins

The Flames lost its top 10 tacklers from the secondary last season. Behind new secondary coach Corey Peoples, the Flames have brought in several transfers to the secondary to help offset some of those losses. Enter D-Icey Hopkins. He was recruited by Peoples to Georgia State where  Hopkins played in 24 games over the past two seasons. After recording 23 tackles as a redshirt-freshman in 2023, Hopkins had 51 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and a team-leading 5 pass breakups last fall. He was 6th on the team in tackles and had the 2nd most among defensive backs. Hopkins could immediately become one of the Flames’ most important defensive weapons.

CB Elijah Hopkins

Elijah Hopkins is entering his fourth season at Liberty. If there’s one thing that has defined his career to this point it has been injuries. He transferred to Liberty from Coastal Carolina prior to the 2023 season, following head coach Jamey Chadwell and much of the coaching staff. He played in four games as a true freshman in 2022 for the Chanticleers, preserving his redshirt season. In 2023, his first year with the Flames and as a redshirt-freshman, Hopkins played in 9 games. Over the past two seasons, he has only played four games each as injuries has kept him from being on the field in a starting role. This year, Hopkins is the lone returning veteran for the Flames in a new look cornerback room. If Hopkins can remain healthy, he could have a breakout all-conference type senior campaign.