With Liberty’s 2020 season opener still unknown and not expected to happen any earlier than Sept. 12, head coach Hugh Freeze has taken a different approach with training camp this year.

Instead of the grind of every day practice, the Flames have eased their way into the starting of camp. Liberty opened camp with the team’s first practice on Friday before taking the weekend off. The Flames returned to the practice field on Monday for the team’s second practice without pads. On Tuesday, Liberty had a walk thru practice.

Following the team’s walk thru practice Tuesday morning, tight ends coach Ben Aigamaua and safeties coach Corey Batoon addressed the media on a video conference call. With practice being closed to the public, including the media, today’s notes will center around the discussion with Aigamaua and Batoon.

  • The tight end room is full of experienced guys. The top 5 are all 4th or 5th year college guys and competition is fierce as Johnny Huntley, Jerome Jackson, Chris Barrett, Michael Bollinger, and Trevor Hobbs are fighting for reps.
  • Coach Aigamaua on projected starter Johnny Huntley – “I’m really, really excited about what Johnny’s going to bring to our offense. Taking his game a whole ‘nother level, gaining the right weight, getting the block scheme. Really, really excited about him and looking forward to a big year from him.”
  • The Flames brought in JUCO TE Trevor Hobbs in the spring. He has just one season of eligibility remaining. When he came on his official visit in December he weight around 227 pounds and by the time spring practice was shut down due to COVID-19, Hobbs was up to 256 pounds.
  • Jerome Jackson and Trevor Hobbs are the Flames’ top blocking tight ends where as Johnny Huntley and Chris Barrett have a little more speed and will likely be used more in the passing game.
  • With so much experience in his room, three seniors and two redshirt-juniors, Aigamaua is focusing on development of the younger guys this season and also pointed out that it will be crucial for him to bring in some talent at the spot in this year’s recruiting class.
  • As reported on Friday, redshirt-freshman Brayden Monday has moved from defensive end to tight end. “I’m real excited about him, just watching him move around catching the ball,” Aigamaua said of his newest tight end.
  • Currently, NC State transfer Tim Kidd-Glass is getting the first team reps at Rover. Expectations were high for the former Wolfpack starter when he transferred in a season ago, forced to redshirt due to NCAA transfer requirements.
  • We’ve heard alot from Coach Freeze about JUCO transfers Juawan Treadwell and Marcus Haskins early in camp, and Coach Batoon was equally impressed by the two. He cited their athleticism as the first thing that jumps out about the pair. “Junior college (recruits), if you’re hitting 50% you’re probably right where you’re going to be,” said Batoon. “Both of those guys are guys that they did a good job evaluating through the evaluation process, and those guys are as billed right now.”
  • We heard a lot about true freshman Jerome Jolly making an impact in the spring. Batoon says he’s trying to find the perfect place for the youngster to make the biggest impact he can this season. “Trying to find a home for Jerome, to where he feels like he can get out and play,” he said. “I’ve been happy with what we’ve seen out of him.” He’s currently been getting some reps at Rover.

*photo courtesy Liberty Athletics