Liberty football is just over a week into training camp as the Flames prepare for the upcoming 2026 season which kicks off on Sept. 5 at James Madison. Here are some key takeaways from head coach Jamey Chadwell’s most recent media availability:

Quarterbacks

Coach Chadwell quote – “They’ve been too inconsistent. There are days you feel really good, then, the next day you’re like what…Some of that is there is new install and the defense has new install. So, they are seeing something maybe for the first time. There has been too much inconsistency there. I’m not going to hold myself to (my schedule on naming a quarterback) if nobody does that. I’m not just going to randomly do it if I don’t feel like we have enough. We do have to cut it down from five regardless, whether we go to two or three after Saturday, we have to do something. We will do that for sure. I just don’t know if there’s going to be two. Two haven’t distinguished themselves through six (practices) yet. We still got practices 7, 8 , and 9. We will see. The scrimmage might be big. Some guys have had some good days and there is just too much inconsistency. One thing I’ve told everyone, we’re going to take care of the ball. We’re not going to put it up in bad situations. We’re not going to throw the ball up and pray we get an answer. We’ve got to do a better job there throughout camp.”

Should we be concerned with Chadwell’s comments this week? Personally, I think he and the rest of the coaching staff are keeping their cards close to the vest in regards to the quarterback battle. There’s really nothing to gain by coming out and identifying your top guy or even top two guys this early. There’s also nothing to gain by announcing your starter prior to kickoff on September 5 at James Madison. Let the process play out over the next couple of weeks and let’s see where things stand then.

Running Backs

Coach Chadwell quote – “You’re trying to see who you can trust when it matters. Some of them have different skill sets. Third and short, Kam Davis is a bowling ball. We’ve got him in there because he’s trying to run through some tackles. They all bring something unique. We are packaging that and making sure who we can trust, who knows the offense, who can protect, who knows those things. It will go a little while longer just because you can see what they do with the ball in their hands. It’s about what they can do with the ball in their hands. We’ve got to continue to see who can we trust without the ball in their hands. I praised Peyton (Jones), but he put the ball on the ground today. One thing we can’t do is we can’t put the ball on the ground. I think that group has gotten better every day. There’s a lot we ask of them. I think there’s some talent there, it’s just getting those guys in the right position to be successful in what they do well.”

The Flames are looking to make its way through a new group of running backs as the group has been virtually completely revamped. Florida State transfer Kam Davis and former Army running back Kanye Udoh have been getting most of the attention, but Peyton Jones is one that Chadwell highlighted this week. There are several good looking options for Liberty at the position, it’s just a matter of seeing who develops to earn most of the reps in the backfield once the season begins. It wouldn’t be a complete shock if things developed in the early part of the season similar to what happened last year when Evan Dickens took hold of the group. We could also see a backfield by committee, which hasn’t really happened before under Chadwell, though his comments this week makes it look like it is a possibility.

Special Teams

Coach Chadwell quote – “Inconsistencies in punting the football. That battle is open. Sam (Crossan) and Chase (Reeves) are competing for that job. Chase has been the most consistent, but we’ve got to put the ball where we want to kick it. We haven’t placed it where we need to.”

Sam Crossan has been with the Flames the past couple of years, playing behind Max Morgan. He seems to be the most likely to emerge at punter.

Coach Chadwell quote – “Field goal, I was feeling really good until today, missed two out of three. Tyler Black came in, made a nice kick. Chase had actually had probably the most consistent camp until today. He missed one. Had a mini-scrimmage, offense had a chance to win if we make our kick. We’ve got to be able to make them when they matter.”

Chase Reeves transferred to Liberty from McKendree University where he was the starter last year, averaging 42.9 yards per punt. He was also the team’s kicker where he made 11 of 15 field goals. He began his collegiate career at Southern Illinois. It sounds like it’s between Reeves and Tyler Black, who was with the Flames last year after transferring from Wake Forest, as the top two guys.

Other

A couple other notable quotes from Chadwell on the defense earlier this week:

  • “Defensively, we’ve got to stop the run. We need to win on first down.”
  • “We feel pretty good about the front seven (on defense). In the secondary, we have to figure out who we can trust.”