Liberty’s defense in 2023 was of the bend but don’t break mold. The final statistics might not be pretty for that unit but they still did what was needed to help the team to a 13-1 season, CUSA Championship, and Fiesta Bowl bid.
It was the Flames’ secondary that typically came up big in crucial moments getting pass break ups or game changing interceptions countless times throughout the year. Unfortunately for Liberty, two of those key corners left the program through the transfer portal following the conclusion of the 2023 campaign. Both Kobe Singleton and Preston Hodge have found new homes, leaving holes the Flames will have to fill in 2024. Singleton was a starting corner for Liberty throughout the 2023 campaign while Hodge began the season at safety before transitioning to playing mostly corner by the end of the season.
One name that does return for Liberty in 2024 at corner is Amarian Williams. He started every game last season for the Flames at one of the corner spots, finishing the year with 37 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and four pass break ups. While he didn’t record the eye-catching interceptions that Singleton and Hodge did throughout the year, Williams was arguably the most consistent player the team had at corner and enters 2024 as a team leader at the position.
Dexter Ricks, Jr. is also expected to play a prominent role for the Flames at corner this fall. He played in all 14 games last season, finishing the year with 11 tackles.
Liberty also went to the portal to help offset the losses at corner and brought in Dominick Hill from Temple. He appeared in all 12 games during the 2022 season while he made 29 tackles and deflected five passes. In 2023, Hill finished with 49 tackles and four PBUs.
Other names to watch at corner this coming season include former Coastal Carolina transfer Elijah Hopkins, former Colorado transfer Josh Wiggins, and Christian Bodnar.
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