Football is right around the corner as the summer months come to an end and training camp looms. Coming off a 4-8 season, the Flames will be looking to make a turnaround and get back to the top of Conference USA in 2026. This depth chart will still change as the team begins participating in fall camp and we get more of an idea for how all the pieces fit together. But, doing this now, gives us an idea of what the roster currently looks like.

Quarterback: Deshawn Purdie
Backup: Ethan Vasko OR Jaylen Henderson

All eyes will be on the quarterback room during training camp. Is Deshawn Purdie truly the leader in the clubhouse? Will anyone push him for the starting job for Week 1? Can he overcome his apparent weaknesses, highlighted by his 50% career completion percentage and low rushing numbers? Will Ethan Vasko be a factor? Can Jaylen Henderson force the Flames to consider playing multiple quarterbacks with his rushing ability? Can either Ethan Houck or Jachin Davis be a factor during camp?

Running Back: (A-Back) Jaylon Coleman; (B-Back) Peyton Jones
Backup: (A-Back) Justin Marshall (B-Back) Kanye Udoh OR Kam Davis

Run. The. Ball. This could be one of the deepest and most talented running back rooms Liberty has ever had. Offensive coordinator and running backs coach Newland Isaac brought in several talented running backs to fill out his room from the transfer portal. Depth is the key word here. Expect to see many guys get their opportunities, especially early in the season this fall. Peyton Jones, the Duke transfer, seems to have a leg up right now. He is a versatile back who can play both the A and B-Back positions. Coach Isaac hasn’t been able to stop raving about Jaylon Coleman throughout the spring. Expect to see the explosive playmaker heavily involved in the offensive attack whether that’s carrying the ball or catching passes out of the backfield. Kanye Udoh, the Army and Arizona State transfer, could be utilized in short yardage packages while Kam Davis is a similar running back to Quinton Cooley. And we can’t leave out Justin Marshall and Terron Kellman who could also factor in here.

Wide Receiver: Jamari Person
Backup: Nasir Newkirk

Wide Receiver: Makai Jackson
Backup: Jon Monteiro

Wide Receiver: Rashawn Cunningham
Backup: Darius Copeland OR Eric Smith

The additions of Makai Jackson and Rashawn Cunningham give the Flames some experience in the room to go alongside Jamari Person. These two will certainly be counted on to contribute on the field this season. Darius Copeland and Eric Smith have a lot of upside in the slot.

Left Tackle: DJ Geth
Backup: Kevin Evehe OR Brandon Edozie

Left Guard: Joep Engbers
Backup: Gabe Smith

Center: Aaron Fenimore
Backup: Blake Martin

Right Guard: Alex Birchmeier
Backup: Erwil Anthony, Jr.

Right Tackle: Christian Williams
Backup: Austin Anderson

The Flames are currently slated to return four of five starters from 2025, only losing Harrison Hayes. The team was able to keep this core together and add several pieces in the portal, to what should be a strength of the offense entering the season. DJ Geth, Joep Engbers, Aaron Fenimore, Austin Anderson (if healthy), and Christian Williams should all be counted on as part of the two-deep. Penn State transfer Alex Birchmeier also spent much of the spring at first team right guard. A name to keep an eye on is the youngster Brandon Edozie who was turning heads during the spring. We should also keep tabs on NC State transfer Val Erickson and see if he can push to not only be part of the two-deep but also part of the weekly rotation.

Tight End: Caleb Ryan OR LaKelsey Johnson
Back up: Zeke Wimbush OR Bo Burklow

Caleb Ryan is the only known factor at tight end, returning to the Flames after a very solid campaign a season ago. The former walk-on is now a team leader and is someone his coaching staff trusts. LaKelsey Johnson (Baylor) and Zeke Wimbush (Virginia Tech) also appear to be near the top of the depth chart currently with Johnson garnering considerable buzz throughout the summer.

Defensive End: Aaron Hester
Backup: Michael Floyde OR Lorenzo Payne

Defensive Tackle: Mike Jarvis
Backup: Nate Pirolli OR Kam Cullins OR Henry Hicks

Defensive Tackle: Markus Clark
Backup: Joe Strickland OR Sam Cohen

Joker: Brenton Williams
Backup: Ethan Crisp

After being raided in the spring transfer portal on the defensive line the past couple of seasons, Liberty returns a decent amount of production up front led by Mike Jarvis, Markus Clark, and Brenton Williams. Those three should all slide into starting spots once we get to the fall. Aaron Hester is being pushed at defensive end as the Flames look to have a more aggressive defensive attack this season. Kam Cullins and Sam Cohen were talented true freshman a year ago that were too good to keep off the field. Can they take a sizeable step and be key pieces on the interior of the line?

LB: Aidan Vaughan
Backup: Deuce Spurlock OR Dillano Glaud

LB: Derrell Farrar
Backup: Micah Pollard OR Kyle Ferm

Led by Derrell Farrar and Aidan Vaughan, this group has the potential to be the leaders of the defense. Deuce Spurlock, Dillano Glaud, Micah Pollard, and Kyle Ferm all provide good depth. Also, keep an eye on true freshman Ellis Alloway who shined during the spring.

Cornerback: Elijah Hopkins
Backup: Jamal Miles OR Ashton McShane

Cornerback: Quavo Marshall OR Prince Cottonham
Backup: Myke Gunn OR Tyrell Gainey

There is a lot of question marks for the Flames in the secondary entering the upcoming season, beginning at corner. If Elijah Hopkins can remain healthy, which has been a big problem for him throughout his career, he should be penciled in as a starter at one corner spot. The rest is currently a battle for a spot on the two-deep that will likely last into final weeks of training camp.

Safety: D-Icey Hopkins
Backup: Ronald Moore, Jr.

Safety: Jeremiah Vessel
Backup: Jayden Davis OR Ashton Whitner

Star: Izaiah Guy
Backup: Elijah McKenzie OR Jayden Whaley

Maybe the only known thing about the safety room is that D-Icey Hopkins will be on the field. He has proven that he can make plays at this level and played for new Liberty safeties coach Corey Peoples previously. That connection could also pay dividends for Jayden Davis and Izaiah Guy as Coach Peoples is also familiar with them. Other than that, we have a lot to learn about this Liberty’s secondary room.

Kicker: Tyler Black OR Chase Reeves OR Brayden Beck

Punter: Sam Crossan

Long Snapper: Greg Rivera

Holder: Sam Crossan

Kick Returner: Jon Monteiro

Punt Returner: Darius Copeland

Liberty will once again have a new kicker this season. Tyler Black transferred in from Wake Forest last year and should have a decent shot to win the job. Sam Crossan is the likely favorite to take over for Max Morgan at punter. Chase Reeves has joined the group as a Division II transfer and has played both punter and kicker. Brayden Beck got an extra year of eligibility so he will also be added to the mix at kicker this spring.