We have made our way through the end of training camp as Liberty football has now turned its attention to its week 1 opponent Maine. With training camp concluding and less than two weeks until that season opener on August 30, it is time to update our projected depth chart for the Flames entering the start of the 2025 season.
Quarterback: Ethan Vasko OR Ryan Burger
Backup: Michael Merdinger
Liberty head coach Jamey Chadwell is expected to name a starter, at least internally, any day now. The job that began between five different guys in the QB room, but it was narrowed down to the two most experienced guys in the room in Ethan Vasko and Ryan Burger earlier this month with Michael Merdinger settled in as QB3. Either Vasko or Burger, whoever wins the job, should have a pretty high floor and allow the Flames to win its fair share of games this coming season. The question mark is how high is the ceiling with these guys and can Liberty win a CUSA Championship with one of them behind center? That’s something we won’t know perhaps for several weeks.
Running Back: (A-Back) Juju Gray; (B-Back) Vaughn Blue
Backup: (A-Back) Vaughn Blue; (B-Back) Caden Williams OR Evan Dickens
We have a pretty clear idea of what this room will look. It likely won’t be one RB getting a heavy workload, at least to begin the season, like we saw from Quinton Cooley the past couple of years. Juju Gray will be on the field plenty, whether he lines up as a running back or as a wide receiver. He will be utilized in a multitude of ways. RB Coach Newland Isaac said Caden Williams is the guy who is expected to grow into that B-Back role, but as a redshirt-freshman is he ready to go Week 1? Vaughn Blue will play plenty of snaps whether he runs out as a starter or not. He can play both running back positions. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech transfer Evan Dickens will also likely get his opportunities, as well.
Wide Receiver: Donte Lee
Backup: Casey Cain
Wide Receiver: Jamari Person
Backup: Reese Smith OR Darius Copeland
Wide Receiver: Tyson Mobley
Backup: Elijah Canion
The depth chart here might not matter too much as all of these names will see their way on the field. Donte Lee and Jamari Person are likely the leaders in the clubhouse entering the start of the season to be the team’s go to receiver, but that certainly could change especially with where the quarterback room is at currently. Tyson Mobley will also be featured heavily, as well. Reese Smith and Darius Copeland also have high usage potential if they can stay healthy. Casey Cain and Elijah Canion are big body targets that could be big play options. Also, don’t forget about some of the younger receivers in this room that could continue to develop as the season matures, look particularly at Jon Monteiro who had a strong showing in the Fan Appreciation Day scrimmage.
Left Tackle: Trey Bedosky
Backup: Hunter Porterfield
Left Guard: DJ Geth
Backup: Joep Engbers
Center: Aaron Fenimore
Backup: Cal Grubbs
Right Guard: Harrison Hayes
Backup: Christian Williams OR Andrew Johnson
Right Tackle: Jack Tucker
Backup: Erwil Anthony
The starting group here seems pretty settled, as it is the same five we have seen every time during training camp when we had the opportunity. The real question lies with the second team and who of that group ends up getting their opportunities on the field when the season begins. OL Coach Bill Durkin spoke highly of Joep Engbers and Christian Williams, expect both of them to perhaps be in the mis for playing time. We could also see Erwil Anthony and/or Hunter Porterfield utilized, as well.
Tight End: Jacob Jenkins OR Austin Henderson
Back up: Caleb Ryan OR Bo Burklow OR Connie Hewitt
Jenkins is clearly TE1, but he has been sidelined the past week+ with a right knee injury. It is expected that he will be ready for August 30th. Austin Henderson is also a veteran and known commodity. The rest of the tight end room has been rotating pretty frequently. Caleb Ryan looks like he is the third guy while Bo Burklow and Connie Hewitt could also be utilized, perhaps depending on situation and game plan.
Defensive End: Donovan Dozier
Backup: Aaron Hester OR Eli Hall
Defensive Tackle: Mike Jarvis
Backup: Markus Clark
Defensive Tackle: Bryce Dixon
Backup: DJ Jackson OR Joe Strickland
Joker: CJ Bazile
Backup: Brenton Williams
We will see a lot of jersey numbers rotating frequently on the defensive line. We have 10 different guys listed here, and we should expect to see them all have an opportunity to see the field. The order may change from week to week. There are also a few others to watch out for that aren’t listed including Nate Pirolli and the true freshmen Kam Cullins and Sam Cohen. At Joker, it’s more settled with CJ Bazile and Brenton Williams, but expect their snaps to be split close to 50/50.
Mike: Joseph Carter
Backup: Deuce Spurlock OR Ethan Crisp
Will: Aidan Vaughan
Backup: Derrell Farrar OR Micah Pollard
Liberty has a legit six deep at the linebacker position for the first time ever at the FBS level. Joe Carter and Aidan Vaughan have been the first team backers throughout camp. Derrell Farrar, the App State transfer, will likely be used as almost a third starter here. Meanwhile, the coaching staff feels confident in Ethan Crisp and Micah Pollard, also.
Cornerback: Elijah Hopkins OR Damond Harmon
Cornerback: Amarian Williams
Backup: Dexter Ricks
We know Amarian Williams is going to see the field plenty. He is fully healthy for the first time since 2023 and should be ready to shut down his half of the field. He didn’t get challenged much in 2023 and in the open scrimmage, the quarterbacks rarely went his way when he was on the field. On the other side, Damond Harmon continues to push his way into the rotation, and he may have earned himself a starting spot. The former 4-star recruit and Oklahoma transfer, could be a difference maker for the Flames. Elijah Hopkins is also healthy now, and, he and Dexter Ricks, should provide solid depth at corner, as well.
Safety: A’Khori Jones
Backup: Eldric Griffin
Safety: Brylan Green
Backup: Elijah Auguste
Safety: Christian Bodnar
Backup: Devin Henderson OR Ronald Moore OR Tre Lawing
A’Khori Jones, Brylan Green, and Christian Bodnar are all going to play a significant number of reps. Eldric Griffin and Elijah Auguste are other veterans in the room that could also see significant snaps. Behind them, there is a lot of competition with several players having an opportunity to earn a spot on the two deep.
Kicker: Jay Billingsley OR Brayden Beck
We might not know who is the starting kicker until August 30 when Coach Chadwell trots out his kicking group. Brayden Beck is the returner while Jay Billingsley and Tyler Black have transferred in. All three have looked good in camp and have been consistent. Hopefully that will translate to games. It is down to Billingsley and Beck.
The rest of the specialists should be in good shape, as they return from last season.
Punter: Max Morgan
Long Snapper: Ryan Manis
Holder: Max Morgan
Kick Returner: Julian Gray
Punt Returner: Brylan Green
