DAMOND HARMON POISED FOR BIG IMPACT

Damond Harmon joined the Flames just ahead of the start of training camp in 2024. A former four-star recruit who spent his first two seasons at Oklahoma where he played in 18 games and recorded 22 tackles, Harmon did not see the field during the regular season last year.

“He’s been a blessing,” said Liberty head coach Jamey Chadwell earlier this month of Harmon. “He got here last year. He walked on. There was a lot of ups and downs with him acclimating to the way we do things.”

Harmon entered the transfer portal in April 2023. He ended up at North Carolina A&T but had an academic issue that kept him off the field. He then ended up at Liberty as he looked for a fresh start.

“He was always talented but trying to fight through an injury,” said Chadwell. “Our strength staff and athletic training staff did a really good job of helping him get confident in his injury. You could see when he was healthy, there was talent there. He just struggled to stay healthy consistently.”

Harmon was healthy enough to see the field some in the Bahamas Bowl for the Flames in early January. He has maintained his health through the off-season and is now part of the two-deep for the Flames at corner.

“He’s put himself in a position where he can lock people down,” Chadwell said. “He’s not afraid to tackle. I won’t say he’s been a surprise, I think everybody anticipated he could be that good, but it’s been really fun for us to see him gain his confidence back. You don’t go to Oklahoma if you don’t have ability. For whatever reason it didn’t work out there. When it doesn’t work out, you put yourself in this dark spot. I think he was in some dark times. I think Liberty has been a blessing for him beyond football. Just finding himself again, who he is, and what God’s created him to be.”

PENALTIES, PENALTIES, PENALTIES

Liberty has been one of the worst teams in the country over the past two seasons in penalties. Last year, the Flames ranked 116th in the FBS with 66.08 penalties yards per game. Even in 2023, when Liberty was 13-1 and won the CUSA Championship, the Flames ranked 117th with 62.5 penalty yards per game. It is something that has been a priority for head coach Jamey Chadwell since the end of the season. In the only live scrimmage fans were allowed to see during fall camp, the Flames were whistled for numerous penalties, so much so that the entire team had to stop and do up-downs multiple times throughout the scrimmage.

“We’ve only had officials twice,” Chadwell said of training camp. “The time we had officials here, we didn’t have as many. I think the first time being in front of fans – we had some newer guys doing some things, false starts and things. Was that jitters, being in front of fans for the first time and it sort of being like a real game? I hope so, but I was disappointed in that. The first scrimmage we didn’t have as many. I felt like we’ve really worked hard on not beating ourselves and put in standards of what happens if we do. It was disappointing because that is something we have worked a lot, but I don’t expect it, hopefully, to be an issue going forward.

LIBERTY VS FCS OPPONENTS

Since moving to the FBS level prior to the 2018 season, Liberty has found success against FCS opponents. The Flames played two FCS opponents in each of its first three seasons at the FBS level before transitioning to play one each year, with the exception of the 2023 season. As Liberty prepares to open the 2025 campaign against FCS foe Maine, here is a look back at each of those previous nine games in which the Flames have racked up a perfect 9-0 record:

  • 10/20/18 vs Idaho State: W, 48-41
  • 12/01/18 vs Norfolk State: W, 52-17
  • 09/21/19 vs Hampton: W, 62-27
  • 10/19/19 vs Maine: W, 59-44
  • 10/03/20 vs North Alabama: W, 28-7
  • 11/14/20 vs Western Carolina: W, 58-14
  • 09/04/21 vs Campbell: W, 48-7
  • 10/15/22 vs Gardner-Webb: W, 21-20
  • 08/31/24 vs Campbell: W, 41-24

BILLINGSLEY NAMED STARTING KICKER

Liberty brought in Gardner-Webb transfer Jay Billingsley and Wake Forest transfer Tyler Black to compete with Brayden Beck, and others, for the starting kicker spot. Earlier this week, Coach Chadwell announced it will be Billingsley who has won the nod as the team’s starting kicker.

Billingsley transferred to Liberty after four seasons at Gardner-Webb. In his career, he has made 21 of 32 field goals with a long of 54. Last season, he made 6 of 11 kicks with his long of 54 coming during the season against Eastern Illinois, setting a school record. He also made all 35 of his extra point attempts, having made 108 consecutive during his career entering the off-season. In camp, Billingsley made 94 of 103 (91.3%) of his field goals.

INJURY REPORT

Here’s an update on Liberty’s current injury situation:

  • Safety Dylan Mullins will be out for Saturday’s game against Maine. He has been a special teams’ player for the Flames.
  • TE Jacob Jenkins is expected to play after suffering a knee injury early in camp.
  • DL Kam Cullins was injured in the Fan Appreciation Day scrimmage, but he is expected to be available.