We are still over 6 months away from the start of the 2025 season, but it’s never too early to begin to look ahead to the fall and football season. Coming off an 8-4 season and loss in the Bahamas Bowl, the Flames will be looking to get back to the top of Conference USA in 2025.

The roster is not quite completed as we still have the spring transfer portal window to go through. So, this depth chart will change frequently throughout the offseason as we go through spring practice, the spring portal, summer workouts and training camp, but doing this now gives us an idea of what the roster currently looks like.

Quarterback: Ethan Vasko OR Ryan Burger
Backup: Michael Merdinger OR Jayden Bradford OR Ethan Houck

Competition at the quarterback position will be intense in the spring. Expect the coaching staff to try to have the battle for starter narrowed down to 2 or 3 names by the end of spring practice. Vasko, the transfer from Coastal Carolina, certainly appears to be the favorite to win the job as he’s the only quarterback in the room with significant starting experience at the FBS level. Ryan Burger will likely be his biggest competition.

Merdinger, a transfer from North Carolina, redshirted in 2024 before seeing some playing time in the bowl game after an injury. Bradford will miss spring practice after having surgery on an injury suffered during practice while Houck arrives on campus. These three are all freshmen, two redshirt and one a true freshman. It will be hard for any one of them to emerge from this group and then also be able to push past the more veteran Vasko and Burger as a starter, but they will get a long look.

Running Back: (A-Back) Vaughn Blue; (B-Back) Caden Williams
Backup: (A-Back) Darius Copeland OR Julian Gray (B-Back) Evan Dickens

Another position that will have a new look for the Flames this fall. Quinton Cooley and Billy Lucas are gone as are James Jointer and Victor Venn. Vaughn Blue returns and should continue to see his role increase. Caden Williams, who redshirted in 2024 but got some playing time in the bowl game, will be in position to fight for serious playing time on the field this season.

Darius Copeland, who got injured in the season opener against Campbell and missed the entire season, should be back by time training camp begins and he will have a chance to see the field. Also, don’t forget Juju Gray, who will be listed with the wide receivers below, but he is someone who can also line up in the backfield. Evan Dickens is a transfer from Georgia Tech who will have an opportunity this spring.

Wide Receiver: Elijah Canion
Backup: Casey Cain

Wide Receiver: Tyson Mobley OR Donte Lee
Backup: Jamari Person

Wide Receiver: Reese Smith
Backup: Eric Smith

Liberty actually has several pieces returning to the receiver position this season. With the exception of Treon Sibley, just about everybody else returns who was part of the two-deep this past season. Add in Colorado State transfer and Texas/UNLV transfer Casey Cain, and there are several names to watch out for during the offseason. Also, don’t forget Victor Jones, who will hopefully be healthy again and can return to the field, and redshirt-freshmen Jon Montiero and Eric Smith. The Flames have several pieces here, just need one or two to emerge as go-to targets this fall.

Left Tackle: Jack Tucker
Backup: Hunter Porterfield

Left Guard: Trey Bedosky
Backup: Andrew Johnson

Center: Aaron Fenimore
Backup: Cal Grubbs

Right Guard: Harrison Hayes
Backup: DJ Geth

Right Tackle: Erwil Anthony
Backup: Christian Williams

There are some holes to fill on the offensive line. Aaron Fenimore has established himself as a starter and leader for the team and offense, but, outside of him at center, there are a lot of unknowns and question marks for this unit. Jack Tucker and Harrison Hayes will certainly be part of the plan and are likely favorites to start as we enter spring practice. DJ Geth could also break into a starting spot at one of the guard positions.

Trey Bedosky is a veteran transfer from UAB who will also have a chance to break into the rotation. Erwil Anthony, making the move from Division II Wingate, will be counted on. He was a starter at right tackle there. Hopefully he can man that position for the Flames this season. It will also be interesting to see how Christian Williams, a transfer from Florida, fits into this group during the spring.

Tight End: Jacob Jenkins OR Austin Henderson
Back up: Bo Burklow OR Connie Hewitt

Austin Henderson should return off his injury and will team with Jacob Jenkins as the leaders at this position. Younger names behind them are looking to establish themselves including Bo Burklow, Connie Hewitt, Eli Sisson, and Caleb Ryan.

Defensive End: TJ Bush
Backup: Larry Jones, III

Defensive Tackle: Jay Hardy
Backup: Chris Boti

Defensive Tackle: Bryce Dixon
Backup: Mike Jarvis OR Eli Hall

Joker: CJ Bazile
Backup: Bryson Jennings OR Brenton Williams OR Donovan Dozier

The Flames return a lot of the key pieces on the front of the defense, anchored by TJ Bush at defensive end. Behind him, hopefully Larry Jones can stay healthy and provide Bush with a break throughout the season. At Joker, Liberty is deep and talented, anchored by CJ Bazile with several faces able to make an impact in 2024 that all return this season including Bryson Jennings, Brenton Williams, and Donovan Dozier.

On the interior of the line, there are several key returners including Jay Hardy, Bryce Dixon, and Chris Boti who all have significant experience. Mike Jarvis and Eli Hall were also key reserves this past season and could see their role expanded. Liberty also has brought in two transfers who could help the depth of the defensive line in NC State transfer DJ Jackson and Appalachian State transfer Markus Clark.

Mike: Joseph Carter
Backup: Aidan Vaughan

Will: Ethan Crisp
Backup: Micah Pollard OR Deuce Spurlock

Joe Carter is the obvious leader of the group here, as several top pieces from last year have exhausted their eligibility. Still, there is some depth here led by Aidan Vaughn and Ethan Crisp. Former Michigan teammates Micah Pollard and Deuce Spurlock also will be in the mix here and should be expected to carve out a role and even fight to become starters. Other young names to watch here include Kaidon Whidby, Seneca Moore, and Dillano Glaud.

Cornerback: Dexter Ricks, Jr. OR Jalon Rock
Backup: Elijah Hopkins

Cornerback: Amarian Williams
Backup: Jayden Sweeney

The Flames return several of its top corners from 2024 including Amarian Williams and Dexter Ricks. Jayden Sweeney should only improve as he made the switch from safety to corner last training camp. Elijah Hopkins is another to watch at the position if he can stay healthy. Ronald Moore should also return, a freshman that was making an impact last offseason before suffering an injury and missing the season. Liberty has also added Weber State transfer Jalon Rock who will be expected to compete for playing time and could either factor in at corner or safety.

Safety: A’Khori Jones
Backup: Christian Bodnar

Safety: Brylan Green
Backup: Devin Henderson

Safety: Eldric Griffin
Backup: Elijah Auguste

Jones, Green, and Griffin provide a good base to build off of at safety. Christian Bodnar had also become a key member of the secondary prior to missing the end of the season, and, if he is healthy enough to return to the field, should factor into the two-deep in the back-end of the defense. Eli Auguste is a veteran and solid contributor, as well. Devin Henderson redshirted in 2024 and could work his way onto the field in a role this season as could former Oklahoma transfer Damond Harmon who got some action in the Bahamas Bowl.

Kicker: Brayden Beck

Not sure what Liberty’s kicking situation will look like. Colin Karhu doesn’t have any more eligibility while Nick Brown left the team during the season. Brayden Beck has been the forgotten man in this room the past couple of years, but he could have an opportunity this offseason. The Flames also have Caleb Willis and Sam Crossan who were brought in as preferred walk-ons a year ago. We could also see Liberty look at bringing in a transfer here.

The rest of the specialists should be in good shape.

Punter: Max Morgan

Long Snapper: Ryan Manis

Holder: Max Morgan

Kick Returner: Julian Gray

Punt Returner: Brylan Green OR Julian Gray