A redshirt-freshman offensive lineman with a grand total of 3 FCS offers out of high school makes this list? How? I’m so glad you asked…
Duff, who sported offers from SWAC programs Jackson State and Grambling State, was listed as the backup at center all of 2015 but never saw any game action. Even after Lucas Holder went down midway through the season, Liberty’s staff reshuffled the offensive line and, doing so, preserved Duff’s redshirt. The Mesquite, Texas native hopes to grab hold of the starting center spot this season. And, therein, lies his importance to the Flames in 2016.
Center is one of the most underrated positions on a football team. Second to quarterback, it is one of the most important positions on offense. In 2016, Liberty will feature a new offense, behind new offensive coordinator Joe Dailey, and a new quarterback making the importance of the center position even greater for this season’s Flames.
If Duff becomes Liberty’s starting center, it will allow last season’s starting center, Lucas Holder, to slide over to right guard and, therefore, add an additional body in the Flames’ offensive line rotation.
Outside of the center position, the rest of Liberty’s offensive line is extremely experienced. The other 4 projected starters (Aharown Campbell, Tanner Hartman, Michael Henderman, Lucas Holder) combine for 90 games played and 53 starts in their careers at Liberty. If Duff becomes a solid starter for the Flames in 2016, Liberty’s offensive line could be one of its most talented in recent memory.
