We continue to countdown towards the 2026 football season where Liberty will look to make it back to a bowl game while also competing for a CUSA title.
As we have done the past several years, we will rank Liberty’s top 26 football players entering the 2026 season. In today’s era of the transfer portal and NIL, putting together a list like this is much more challenging than it was previously as a large portion of the two-deep and roster has been turned over from the previous year. We started our ranking previously with #26-21, #20-16, 15-11, and 10-6, go back and check those out if you missed it. And finally, here is our top 5:
5. OL DJ Geth
Geth has risen up from #20 on this ranking a year ago. The former North Carolina transfer has become an integral part of Liberty’s offensive line over the prior two seasons. In his first year at Liberty in 2024, Geth played in 10 games, starting two at right guard, as he was one of the first reserves to slide in on the offensive front. Last year, Geth started all 12 games, two at left guard before starting the final 10 games at left tackle. He has been named to the CUSA Preseason Player Watch List, as well as preseason all-conference by Phil Steele (2nd team) and Athlon (1st team).
4. DE Brenton Williams
Williams was #12 on this list last year, sliding into the top 5 now. The former Auburn transfer quickly made an impact on the Flames, playing in all 12 games in 2024, finishing with 15 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and a sack, while coming off the bench. Last year, Williams was 8th on the defense in snaps played despite splitting time at Joker with CJ Bazile, Jr. He played in all 12 games, made two starts, and had 27 tackles, 4 TFLs, 3 sacks, 3 QB hurries, and a fumble recovery. Now, with Bazile moving on, Williams should only see his production increase, and Liberty is hopeful he can spearhead a rejuvenated defensive front, especially in regards to pressure on the opposing backfield. Williams has been named preseason all-conference by both Phil Steele (1st team) and Athlon (2nd team).
3. DT Mike Jarvis
A New Jersey native, Jarvis transferred to Liberty from Wisconsin after not playing across three seasons with the Badgers. Now, a 6th year senior, he is ready to lead this defensive front for the Flames. In 2024, Jarvis played in 11 games, recording 5 tackles and 1 tackle for loss. Last year, he started all 12 games at defensive tackle, finishing the year with 25 tackles, 3 TFLs, and 2 QB hurries. He played the most snaps by any defensive lineman and the second most by a returning player. Jarvis was named to the CUSA Preseason Player Watch List and first-team preseason all-conference by Athlon.
2. LB Derrell Farrar
Farrar has made the biggest leap on this list from last year’s ranking of #22. After registering 51 tackles in 18 games played at Appalachian State, he transferred to Liberty where he excelled for the Flames on the gridiron last fall. He played the second most snaps on the defense while start in 9 of the 11 games he played in. He led the team in tackles with 71, finishing the year with 18 more tackles than any other player on the roster. He posted three games with 10 or more tackles and also finished tied for third on the team with 4 tackles for loss. Farrar has been named second team preseason all-conference by both Phil Steele and Athlon.
1. C Aaron Fenimore
Fenimore takes over in the top spot after checking in at #2 on this list a year ago. He quickly became a team leader for the Flames. In 2023, as a true freshman, he played in 3 games and redshirted. Since then, he has started every game at center, 24 and counting. He had a breakout campaign in 2024, being named VaSID all-state Offensive Rookie of the Year and first team all-conference. In 2025, he led the team in offensive snaps while playing in 98.6% of the team’s snaps. He was also Liberty’s top graded offensive lineman, as graded by PFF.
