Liberty’s offensive line is as good and depth as the unit has ever been. The Flames have benefited from the COVID super seniors who have returned as Liberty brings back all five starting linemen from 2020 as well as its top few reserves. With some added freshmen who are making an early impact, Liberty’s O-Line is able to go a full three deep and pushing towards a fourth line of depth.
Offensive line coach Sam Gregg – “We’ve got everybody back, so we’re excited about that. We’ve got some guys that are really making strides. We’re really pleased with our newcomers. We think we’ve really hit the nail on the head with (them).”
Frontrunners
LT 68 Tristan Schultz SR 6’4″ 305
Schultz has been Liberty’s starting left tackle each of the past two seasons after starting for a season at right tackle. He’s a proven commodity for the Flames in helping to block Malik Willis’ blind spot. He will get a look at an NFL roster following the draft next year.
LG 64 Jacob Bodden R-SO 6’5″ 315
Left guard has been a fun battle to watch play out over the past year. Damian Bounds began last season as the entrenched, returning starter, but Bodden pushed him throughout the year and basically took over the starting job by the end of the season. Coach Gregg says he won’t know who is starting at left guard for week one until the final week of camp.
Offensive line coach Sam Gregg – “Jacob is doing well. He’s a big ol’ boy. He moves like a big ol’ boy should. He’s coming and learning. There’s a lot of things to say about being big.”
C 65 Thomas Sargeant R-SR 6’1″ 295
Sargeant has been part of the Liberty football program since the 2016 season when he redshirted, joining the program as a walk-on. He has been the team’s starting center since 2017, logging 47 consecutive starts. That has to be close to a record among all Division I football teams for an active list of consecutive starts.
RG 55 Brendan Schlittler R-SO 6’5″ 315
After seeing playing time as a backup at right guard, Schlittler took over in 2020 as the Flames’ starting right guard. He was named VaSID All-State second team and Phil Steele Postseason All-Independent second team following the year.
Offensive line coach Sam Gregg – “Brendan is a great leader. He’s one of the guys that pushes our group.”
RT 77 Cooper McCaw R-JR 6’5″ 305
Like Schlittler, McCaw was used as a reserve prior to the 2020 season when he moved into the starting lineup at right tackle. He quickly asserted himself and has become arguably the best offensive lineman on the team.
Offensive line coach Sam Gregg – “Cooper probably overall is probably our best offensive lineman. He’s a strong kid. He’s a big kid. He’s a quick kid that plays tough and rugged. He’s done a lot of good things. It started last year against Western Kentucky, came out and played his but off and really just kept the gas down the whole year. I’m really excited about what this season brings for him.”
Competition
LG 59 Damian Bounds R-SR 6’1″ 290
Bounds has started 21 games at left guard over the past two seasons, and he could return to a starter’s role once again in 2021. He has been pushed by Jacob Bodden over the past year and the two have only made one another better.
Offensive line coach Sam Gregg – “Damian has played a lot of football and you can put him in just about at any time. He’s a good football player. There’s a lot of people we play against that would love to have him.”
RT 74 Bryce Mathews SR 6’6″ 305
The Ole Miss transfer returns for one final season with the Flames. He has the ability to play anywhere on the line, but he will begin the year providing depth at tackle.
Offensive line coach Sam Gregg – “This is a guy that has played a lot of football. He’s one of our top leaders on this team. He’s a guy that’s gone against some really good players.”
OL 52 Jonathan Graham R-SO 6’5″ 340
The coaching staff has raved about Graham the past couple of seasons. He’s bounced around from guard to tackle and is now settling in at tackle. He’s been spending most of his time during camp backing up Schultz at left tackle. Expect to see plenty of Graham on the field this fall.
Offensive line coach Sam Gregg – “He’s going to play tackle from now, that’s what he’s good at. He’s big. He has great feet. He’s pressing guys. This is probably the most improved guy on this team. This is a young man that’s going to play. He’s earned it, and he had a phenomenal spring. He is pushing to be a starter every day and we will see what happens.”
C 79 John Kourtis R-SO 6’4″ 315
Kourtis has been backing up Sargeant at center the past two seasons, and he enters 2021 doing the same thing. This season, he could also see time at guard at times.
Offensive line coach Sam Gregg – “He’s a good football player. He will play this year. He will help us. I don’t know where that will be. He is a great blocker. He’s just in a situation now that he’s playing behind a really good football player. He’s going to help us at guard. He’s going to help us at center. I guess it’s a good problem to have, but we’ve got to find a way for him to contribute.”
Depth
OL 53 Andrew Adair FR 6’4″ 310
Adair is a true freshman who enrolled in January and went through spring practice with the Flames. He’s been working as second string right guard during much of camp, and Coach Gregg is very high on him.
OL 50 Chase Mitchell R-FR 6’4″ 320
OL 56 Will Buchanan R-FR 6’6″ 315
OL 60 Gage Bassham R-FR 6’3″ 305
OL 78 Brian Hannibal R-FR 6’2″ 290
OL 63 Carter Bradley R-SO 6’2″ 310
OL 75 Mason Bundy FR 6’6″ 290
Offensive line coach Sam Gregg – “Mason Bundy is going to be a good player we think. He’s a big ol’ kid out of Georgia that’s doing a good job.”
OL 51 Harrison Hayes FR 6’4″ 275
Offensive line coach Sam Gregg – “Harry Hayes out of Pittsburgh is really picking things up quickly. He’s moving around and doing some things we didn’t think he could.”
