Football is right around the corner as game week looms with Liberty opening the season next Saturday, Sept. 5 against James Madison. 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. Here’s our projection of what the depth chart will look like Week 1, following the conclusion of training camp.

Quarterback: Deshawn Purdie OR Jaylen Henderson
Backup: Ethan Vasko

The coaching staff has been extremely quiet throughout camp, failing to provide much of any real updates on the quarterback battle. We started camp with five guys battling it out and end camp with that battle narrowed down to four after Ethan Houck moved to tight end. There was very little practice that was open to the media, so it is hard to get a good read on how the battle shakes out. From what we were able to see and what we have heard from those around the program, it does feel like the battle is between Deshawn Purdie and Jaylen Henderson. Who will be the Week 1 starter? Will the Flames play two quarterbacks?

Running Back: (A-Back) Justin Marshall; (B-Back) Peyton Jones
Backup: (A-Back) Jaylon Coleman (B-Back) 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. Kam Davis will likely also get some opportunities, particularly in short yardage packages. Also keep an eye out on Kaney Udoh at B-Back, as well.

At A-Back, entering camp it looked like Jaylon Coleman had this battle all but locked up, but incoming transfer Justin Marshall was one of the standouts of fall camp. He will be utilized in the run game and also out of the backfield catching passes. Expect there to still be a role for Coleman, and he could even end up playing a significant number of snaps due to his playmaking ability.

Wide Receiver: Jamari Person
Backup: Jon Monteiro

Wide Receiver: Makai Jackson
Backup: Bryce Randolph

Wide Receiver: Darius Copeland
Backup: Rashawn Cunningham OR Nasir Newkirk

One thing is clear, Makai Jackson, Jamari Person, and Darius Copeland begin the season as the top three wide outs. Jackson, an incoming transfer from Indiana, has the potential to be a game changer for the Flames. He has drawn comparisons to that of CJ Daniels and other top receivers the Flames have had over the years. Person is a veteran and the team’s top returning receiver from a  year ago when he was second on the team. Copeland is a shifty slot receiver who has fought through injuries. He is a breakout candidate if he can remain healthy. The depth behind that top three is the biggest question mark for this group with Jon Monteiro and Bryce Randolph pushing for snaps.

Left Tackle: DJ Geth
Backup: Brandon Edozie

Left Guard: Joep Engbers
Backup: Jude Foster

Center: Aaron Fenimore
Backup: Blake Martin

Right Guard: Alex Birchmeier
Backup: Kevin Evehe

Right Tackle: Christian Williams
Backup: Val Erickson OR Austin Anderson

Liberty returns four starters from last year, with Geth, Engbers, Fenimore, and Williams all back. This unit has suffered some setbacks during the preseason due to injury, that will greatly affect the depth. Erwil Anthony, Jr. was pushing for a spot with the first time but was lost for the year on the first day of training camp. Austin Anderson is another one that could be a starter if he could get and stay healthy, but he has been very limited throughout camp.

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. The Flames utilize several two tight end sets, so expect to see him involved plenty. Also, will former QB Ethan Houck emerge as a depth option here?

Defensive End: Michael Floyde OR Lorenzo Payne
Backup: Sam Cohen

Defensive Tackle: Mike Jarvis
Backup: Kam Cullins

Defensive Tackle: Nate Pirolli
Backup: Markus Clark

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, Nate Pirolli, Markus Clark, and Brenton Williams. Williams is backed up by Ethan Crisp at Joker after he moved from linebacker during the off-season. Aaron Hester was lost to injury in the summer, and the Flames have three guys competing for reps at the defensive end spot in Michael Floyde, Lorenzo Payne, and Sam Cohen. The Flames are hopeful Floyde and Payne can provide some pressure off the edge, something the team has lacked in recent seasons. On the interior, Jarvis, Pirolli, Clark, and Cullins will all be expected to see the field. Joe Strickland, Henry Hicks, and John Curtis provide depth.

LB: Derrell Farrar
Backup: Micah Pollard

LB: Deuce Spurlock
Backup: Aidan Vaughan OR Kyle Ferm

Derrell Farrar is an unquestioned leader for the team and at linebacker. Much is expected out of the Flames’ leading tackler from a season ago as he has been called a football junkie by his coaches and peers. The rest of the linebacker room doesn’t lack for talent or experience either as Deuce Spurlock is primed for a big season. Aidan Vaughan, Kyle Ferm, and Micah Pollard all provide quality depth, as well. Liberty also has a couple of talented youngsters behind this group of veterans that could slide in if needed in Dillano Glaud and Ellis Alloway.

Cornerback: Elijah Hopkins
Backup: Jamal Miles OR Ashton McShane

Cornerback: Quavo Marshall OR Myke Gunn
Backup: Tyrell Gainey

Elijah Hopkins is the known commodity for Liberty at corner. One of the longer tenured Flames, he has fought injuries through much of his career, but he is hopeful for a breakout season this year. The coaching staff has spoken highly on Quavo Marshall and Myke Gunn. Both have tremendous upside and length for the position. Ashton McShane started earlier in his career, before injuries, at Boston College while Jamal Miles has been in the program for a couple years now.

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

Safety: Jeremiah Vessel
Backup: Jayden Davis

Star: Izaiah Guy
Backup: Ashton Whitner

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, and everyone has talked glowingly about the safety throughout training camp. Izaiah Guy is another one that will be on the field and is more of a vocal leader than Hopkins. Behind them, there are many unknowns. Names that are expected to be in the mix include Jeremiah Vessel, Jayden Davis, Ronald Moore, and Ashton Whitner.

Kicker: Tyler Black
Backup: Chase Reeves

Punter: Sam Crossan OR Chase Reeves

Long Snapper: Greg Rivera

Holder: Sam Crossan

Kick Returner: Jon Monteiro

Punt Returner: Darius Copeland

Coach Chadwell said Tyler Black had the leg up at kicker this past week while Chase Reeves was pushing him very hard. At punter, the battle continues between Sam Crossan and Chase Reeves.