FREEZE’S MVPs OF 2022

During his press conference on Monday, Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze was asked about who his team MVPs on offense and defense through the first half of the season would be.

“Oh boy, I don’t know,” he said. “You would probably have to point toward Demario and Dae Dae on offense. I wouldn’t call anybody MVPs yet, but I would say that they have been pretty consistent in creating explosive plays for us. Defensively, Mike Smith has been pretty solid, Ahmad Walker, Scruggs, the whole D-Line, Kendy Charles probably has stood out maybe a little more than the others, but I’m pleased with all of them.”

Demario Douglas has been the team’s most reliable wide receiver. He has 26 receptions for 459 yards and 5 touchdowns, all team bests to this point in the season, and second place isn’t very close in any of those categories. Dae Dae Hunter has rushed 89 times for 536 yards with 6 touchdowns, also leading the team in those categories.

On defense, linebacker Mike Smith, Jr. leads the team in tackles with 53 to go with his 3.5 tackles for loss and interception. His sidekick at linebacker, Ahmad Walker, is second on the team in tackles with 37 as he also has 5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. Javon Scruggs is third on the team with 33 tackles, while Kendy Charles has 22 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

DECIDING TO REDSHIRT

Earlier this week, Coach Freeze announced his intentions to redshirt several players this season. That list included WR CJ Daniels, OL Chase Mitchell, OL Harrison Hayes, CB Deon Biggins, and S Jaylon Jimmerson. Freeze highlighted planning for the future as the primary reasons for these moves.

“CJ Daniels, we have made a decision to try and redshirt him,” said Freeze. “We think that would be better for the future of our program and him, to get him full healthy. We are six games in, he has played in two, so he can still play in two more. We will kind of judge that based on the health of that room as we continue to go.”

Daniels tore his ACL during spring practice in early March. He missed the first three games of the season before getting some playing time against Akron and Old Dominion. He did not play last week at UMass. Mitchell and Hayes are reserve offensive line while Biggins and Jimmerson have provided depth in the defensive secondary.

“Just trying to build for the future. We believe that is the best for the young man and for our team,” Freeze continued. “Not sure who else, but just so you know when they are not on there, it has nothing to do with more injury. CJ, we had a talk with he and his family. He’s not 100% and really would just like for him, because I think he’s a phenomenal player and great teammate, will be on our culture counsel. I want him around here some more years where he can take that brace off and go full speed by next year. So, that’s the plan there.”

CHARLIE BREWER GETTING CLOSER TO A RETURN

Charlie Brewer is getting closer to returning to action, and he could make his return this weekend against Gardner-Webb. The quarterback broke his right throwing hand just above his thumb in the season opener at Southern Miss. The injury was suffered on the second series of the game, forcing him to have surgery to insert pins into his hand.

The pins and cast were removed last Wednesday, and Brewer has begun to rehab his hand. He has been able to throw the football some, and now he’s working on regaining his strength before getting back on the field.

“Charlie is working,” Freeze said on Monday. “Charlie is chomping at the bits to play. I talked with the doctors all weekend, as soon as he can fully grip a football and we feel like he can be trusted to take care of the ball, they are going to release him to play. His hand has been in a cast for several weeks so it’s not as functional as normal. That’s his work every day, now it’s just hand strengthening. He threw some (Sunday) and he’s going to throw some (Monday) and see how he feels, but you can rest assured that as soon as he’s going to be given the green light he’s going to want to push the envelope to play. Whether that is this Saturday or next Saturday, I don’t really know, but I anticipate it being one of those two just from talking to him and the docs. I believe that.”

INJURY REPORT

DE TreShaun Clark was a surprise last minute scratch from this past weekend’s game against UMass. Following the game, Coach Freeze said that Clark would be out about 2-4 weeks as he recovers from surgery on a meniscus injury.

On his weekly radio show, Coach Freeze mentioned that Kaidon Salter had surgery last Friday and that there is no immediate timetable for his return. We wrote about the quarterback shuffling that Liberty and Freeze have had to endure earlier this week.

WR Caleb Snead missed the last three games after being seen on the sidelines of the Akron game with a boot on his lower right leg and utilizing a scooter. Once again, he was not at Tuesday’s practice.