Classes are out for the summer and the Liberty Flames football team has completely shifted its focus to the start of the 2023 season. The Flames are scheduled to open the season on September 2 at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia against Bowling Green. Liberty opens Conference USA play on Sept. 9 from Williams Stadium against New Mexico State.

Here’s a look at our projected depth chart as we enter the summer with several changes due to incoming and outgoing transfers since the end of spring:

Quarterback: Johnathan Bennett (RJr.) OR Kaidon Salter (RSo.)

Bennett and Salter seemed to have put a little bit of separation between themselves and the rest of the quarterback room prior to the spring game, and then Trey Lowe also led a very strong drive during the spring game. Will he be able to push for a starting job or can Nate Hampton make a push this summer and into fall camp? Will Bennett or Salter emerge as the clear cut starter?

Running Back:  (A-Back) Vaughn Blue (Fr); (B-Back) Quinton Cooley (RJr)
Backup: Billy Lucas (Jr); Jaimes Jointer Jr (RFr)

We will see a lot more two-back sets for the Flames under head coach Jamey Chadwell and this new offense. Vaughn Blue, even as a true freshman, could certainly emerge as a starter. Wake Forest transfer Quinton Cooley also had a strong spring and will see plenty of playing time. Arkansas transfer James Jointer will also be able to provide depth.

This spring, the Flames have also added Billy Lucas and Victor Venn through the transfer portal. Lucas is a veteran and starred at the FCS level. He could certainly break into the top of the rotation at running back. Venn was highly rated out of high school and could also get some reps. We will learn more about these backs and where they fit in with the team once they begin practicing with the team.

Wide Receiver (X): Noah Frith (RSr.)
Backup: Treon Sibley (RJr.)

Wide Receiver (Z): CJ Daniels (RSo.)
Backup: Elijah Smoot (Sr.)

Wide Receiver (H): Reese Smith (RJr.)
Backup: Kylen Austin (RFr.)

The wide receiver position is still very much a work in progress. Reese Smith has developed and established himself as someone who could lead the team in receptions. Noah Frith, CJ Daniels, and Treon Sibley are returning contributors that will be able to provide some experience and depth at the position.

Another name to keep an eye on is Kylen Austin. He got plenty of reps with the first team during the spring and could remain there as we head into the summer and fall. Elijah Smoot transfers in from UT Martin and he will fight for a starting position. Errol Rogers (Louisiana) and Victor Jones, Jr. (Nebraska) could also emerge this fall.

Left Tackle: Xavior Gray (Jr.)
Backup: Harrison Hayes (Jr.)

Left Guard: Jonathan Graham (RSr.)
Backup: Jack Tucker (RSo.)

Center: Jordan White (RSo.)
Backup:  Aaron Fenimore (Fr.)

Right Guard: Brendan Schlittler (RSr.)
Backup: Brian Hannibal (RJr.)

Right Tackle: X’Zauvea Gadlin (RSr.)
Backup: Chase Mitchell (RJr.)

Schlittler and Gadlin are pretty much locked in at their starting spot while the other positions are a bit of a work in progress. Jordan White and Jonathan Graham spent most of the spring starting at center and left guard, respectively. Akron transfer Xavior Gray is a multi-year starter that the Flames will be counting on to take over as a starting tackle this fall.

Jack Tucker could also push for a starting spot on the line and will certainly provide some depth. We could also see White slide over to a guard spot and true freshman Aaron Fenimore become the team’s starting center. It also wouldn’t be a surprise to see another addition or two before the fall to help provide depth.

Tight End: Bentley Hanshaw (RSr.)
Back up: Austin Henderson (RJr.) OR Jacob Jenkins.(Jr.)

Regardless of the order, these three names will be the ones that get the bulk of the reps in 2023 provided they stay healthy.

Defensive End: Grey Carroll (RSo.)
Backup: CJ Bazile (RFr.) OR Bryson Jennings (RFr.)

Defensive Tackle: Kendy Charles (RJr.)
Backup: Tysheik Galloway (Jr)

Nose Guard: Bryce Dixon (So.)
Backup: Jay Hardy (RSo.)

Defensive End: TJ Bush (Fr.)
Backup: Larry Jones III (Fr.)

The defensive line has been hit harder than any other position on the team due to various defections. The interior of the line is pretty solid, led by Kendy Charles. Bryce Dixon and Jay Hardy got some valuable experience last year and have plenty of potential, but the Flames will need them to step forward this fall.

On the outside, there are a lot of questions. TJ Bush was here in the spring and emerged as a potential starter even as a true freshman. Larry Jones is another true freshman who will enroll this summer and the coaching staff is high on. Georgia Tech transfer Grey Carroll and North Carolina transfer Bryson Jennings will have the opportunity to compete for a starting spot while CJ Bazile will also be counted on.

Mike: Tyren Dupree (RSr.)
Backup: Chike Nwankwo (RSr.)

Will: Jerome Jolly, Jr. (RJr.)
Backup: Aakil Washington (RJr.)

Dupree is a veteran and has worked with the first team throughout the spring. He has plenty of experience at Liberty and will be counted on to help lead the position group. Jolly has been a reserve and starred on special teams most of his career at Liberty, but he could emerge as a starting linebacker this season. Washington is a talented pass rusher that moved to linebacker a year ago.

Abilene Christian transfer Chike Nwankwo will be needed to not just provide depth but potentially lead the room. He is talented and has a very high ceiling where Chike could lead the team in tackles.

Cornerback: Kobe Singleton (RJr.)
Backup: Elijah Hopkins (RFr.) OR Joshua Wiggins (RFr)

Cornerback: Amarian Williams (RSo.)
Backup: Marquis Bell (So.)

Singleton and Williams will lead the Flames at corner. Singleton did miss much of the spring as he recovers from an injury. JUCO transfer Marquis Bell is also expected to make a push for playing time this fall while incoming transfers Elijah Hopkins (Coastal Carolina) and Joshua Wiggins (Colorado) will also be able to fight for playing time.

Nickel: Brandon Bishop (RSr.)
Backup: Preston Hodge (RSo.)

Safety: Quinton Reese (RJr.)
Backup: Jayden Sweeney (RFr)

Safety: Jaylon Jimmerson (RJr.)
Backup: Brylan Green (So.)

Quinton Reese has grown into a team leader at safety. Meanwhile, Brandon Bishop, a transfer from Louisiana, is pushing to be included among the team’s starting group as is Preston Hodge, who transferred in from a JUCO just prior to the 2022 season.

Brylan Green missed most of spring practice as he has been with the baseball team. Once he returns to the football team full time, he should again push for playing time and could push to become a starter. Jaylon Jimmerson redshirted last season, but he is a veteran in the room and should push for playing time this fall.

Kicker: Nick Brown (RSo.)
Backup: Brayden Beck (RSo.) OR Teagen Lenderink (So.)

Punter: Max Morgan (RSo.)

Long Snapper: Austin Turner (RSo.)

Holder: Max Morgan (RSo.)

Kick Returner: Jaimes Jointer Jr (RFr)

Punt Returner: Reese Smith (RJr.)