Liberty football concluded its 2026 spring practice on Saturday afternoon at Williams Stadium with a Spring Showcase. It was an open and free event to the general public as the Flames went through about an hour practice. It is difficult to get much of a true feel for the team from this practice, as there was no scrimmaging, no 11-on-11 drills, and no tackling. It was a glorified open scrimmage, but it did still allow us to get our first prolonged look at this year’s version of the Flames. Here are some of our main takeaways from Saturday:

  • All eyes were on the quarterbacks. Again, no pass rush and no tackling, but what we saw Saturday continued what we have seen and heard throughout spring practice. Wake Forest transfer QB Deshawn Purdie looks like he is in the lead of that open competition. Following practice, head coach Jamey Chadwell said he could name a starter if forced to, but is keeping the competition open heading into the summer. Purdie seemed to get just about all of the “first team reps” during Saturday’s practice. He also looks like the natural quarterback and is very fluid in his mechanics. The ball also seems to have some juice coming off his arm.
  • Jaylen Henderson and Ethan Houck have some potential, but it looks like they are more comfortable running than throwing. Those skills don’t show up very well in an event like Saturday’s Spring Showcase. True freshman Jachin Davis seemed to have a really good spring. The coaching staff has spoken highly of him throughout, with Chadwell mentioning him Saturday afternoon as one he thinks will be very good.
  • Ethan Vasko, still fighting back from his shoulder surgery, was not a participant throughout the spring, including Saturday. He was on the field and looked to be very engage with his teammates and fellow quarterbacks, assisting in drills as possible.
  • New defensive coordinator Shawn Quinn has brought a new system to that side of the ball this spring. With it, there are some new positions. The Flames now have an outside linebacker position that is also referred to as the Star. This group includes Izaiah Guy, Elijah McKenzie, Jayden Whaley, and Tre Lawing. These are guys who were primarily safeties.
  • The Joker position is also now being referred to as the Jack. Playing at this position is Brenton Williams, Seneca Moore, Jr., Ethan Crisp, and Jeffrey Hairston, Jr.
  • As mentioned, there were very little to almost no scrimmage portion of the practice on Saturday. The Flames did go through some 7-on-7 drills. The first group to take the field on the defensive side of the ball was Joker Brenton Williams, LB Derrell Farrar, LB Deuce Spurlock, CB Elijah Hopkins, S D-Icey Hopkins, and S Jayden Davis.
  • Liberty is looking for several new specialists. It does appear that Sam Crossan has emerged and will likely take over the punting duties. The kicker battle is still up for grabs as Tyler Black and Chase Reeves look to be the primary kickers battling this spring. Coach Chadwell did mention that Brayden Beck has been approved for an extra year of eligibility and will be added to the room this summer. Beck was in the mix of the competition at kicker last training camp before losing it to Jay Billingsley right at the end of the preseason.

Liberty handed some most improved of the spring awards:

  • OL Blake Martin
  • WR Nasir Newkirk
  • RB Jaylon Coleman
  • TE Zeke Wimbush
  • QB Jachin Davis (also most improved offensive freshman)
  • Punter Sam Crossan
  • CB Prince Cottonham
  • S D-Icey Hopkins
  • Star/OLB Izaiah Guy
  • LB Dillano Glaud
  • Jack/Joker Jeff Hairston
  • DE Michael Floyd
  • DT Chris Law
  • Most improved defensive freshman LB Ellis Alloway

Here were the players unavailable to participate in the Spring Showcase

  • QB Ethan Vasko
  • RB Terron Kellman
  • WR Makai Jackson
  • WR Bryce Randolph
  • WR Eric Smith
  • OL Kevin Evehe
  • OL Curtis Doirilus
  • DL Joe Strickland
  • DL Gavin Askew
  • LB Ellis Alloway
  • LB Tre Lawing
  • CB Quavo Marshall
  • CB Kennedi Bailey (on crutches)
  • DB Izaiah Guy
  • S Davion Dean
  • S Ashton Whitner (participated, was in no contact jersey)
  • CB Jamal Miles (participated, was in no contact jersey)