For the first time since the new coaching staff arrived in Lynchburg in December 2018, the Flames return both starters at corner. Additionally, Liberty has brought in UTEP transfer Duron Lowe who will see plenty of time on the playing field as this group looks to take another step forward.
“I’ve been pleased with the growth of our position,” cornerbacks coach Rickey Hunley said. “The guys that are out there now, know the expectations. They know football, what’s required of them, they also know what we expect of them overall.”
Frontrunners
CB 4 Chris Megginson SO 6’1″ 185
Megginson solidified himself as a starter at corner last year, and he hasn’t looked back. He started all 11 games in 2020 while making 30 tackles and having one interception. The Flames are looking at him to begin to step into a leadership role and take his game to the next level.
CB Coach Rickey Hunley – “Chris is a little bit more mild mannered. As he’s progressed into year two, its trying to get that dog out of him, trying to get a bite to him. He’s been fun to watch in camp. He’s grown up and he feels like its time to seize the opportunities. He hasn’t missed a practice. I have full trust in him and his ability.”
CB 7 Marcus Haskins R-JR 6’1″ 185
Haskins spent much of his first season with the Flames last year going back and forth between safety and corner until finally settling in at corner towards the end of the 2020 season. He started nine fo 11 games last year and finished with 30 tackles and one interception.
CB 29 Duron Lowe R-SR 5’11” 185
As good as Megginson and Haskins were last year, Lowe could grow into the team’s lockdown corner this season. That was a role he played for UTEP, and he has helped push the competition level at corner for the Flames.
CB Coach Rickey Hunley – “I’ll be honest with you, he’s special. He’s going to be a guy that we’re going to lean on heavily. We expect him to lead the charge at times. He’s very high football IQ. You’ve got to be able to run at corner. If you can’t run, then you’re in the wrong spot. I knew he could do that. He brings an athletic dynamic that is above a lot of what we have seen up until this point in our program. To see that combined with his football IQ, he is a guy that very rarely allows plays to be made when he’s in coverage.”
Competition
The competition behind those top three corners is very fierce. The second and third string has almost been interchangeable throughout much of camp. Deon Biggins and Daijahn Anthony have missed most of camp due to injury, but once they are able to get back to 100% healthy they will factor into the depth.
CB 14 Deon Biggins R-FR 6’1″ 170
Biggins has missed most of camp as he dealt with a hamstring injury, but he is expected to be ready to go by the beginning of the season. As a true freshman last season, Biggins played in nine games. Once healthy, he may be the fourth corner in the room.
CB Coach Rickey Hunley – “Deon came off probably the best spring out of the group as far as a growth standpoint. I came out of spring really high on where he is. It just sucks that he kinda is banged up right now.”
CB 22 Daijahn Anthony R-SO 6’1″ 185
The coaching staff raved about Anthony during the spring. Unfortunately, he had surgery on his meniscus and has been out of camp. He will likely miss the beginning of the season, but Coach Freeze has put his timeline to where he should be back during early September.
CB Coach Rickey Hunley – “Daijahn is a little more of the attitude of the group. He’s a guy that’s fully bought into what we’ve asked him to do. It was growth for him in the spring being new. I think his growth and his ceiling at this point is very high.”
CB 26 Amarian Williams FR 5’10” 165
He’s a true freshman, but don’t count Williams out this season. He has a chance to see playing time this year. With Biggins and Anthony out, Williams has spent most of his time on the second string.
CB Coach Rickey Hunley – “Competitor. 100%. If you’re going to describe him, you’re going to describe a competitor. He competes on every rep no matter if its a first string rep, a third string rep, he goes out there and gives 100%. He’s extremely coachable. If he’s a guy that’s willing to step into it and handle it, he’s going to take those reps.”
CB 8 Jimmy Faulks R-SR 6’1″ 190
Faulks has been around for a long time. The super senior has had a long and winding path during his career. He began as a strong contributor and grew into a starter. Then he was pushed to redshirt in Coach Turner Gill’s final season. When the new coaching staff came in, Faulks became the team’s leader and a starter. Now, he’s a veteran that might not see much time on the field unless there are injuries ahead of him.
CB 18 Isaiah Avery R-JR 6’1″ 180
Avery is in a similar situation as Faulks. The younger guys have pushed ahead of him, and he may have a difficult time seeing the field at corner this season.
CB Coach Rickey Hunley – “He’s got a nickname, he’s 21 Zay. This is not 2019 or 2020 Isaiah, he’s been 21 Zay. He’s been out there taking reps, making plays.”
