Week 1 is in the books as Liberty lost to James Madison. The first game finally gave us an opportunity to see what this version of the Flames looks like, including the depth chart. Here’s a look at what the depth chart looked like for Liberty in Week 1.
Quarterback: Deshawn Purdie
Backup: Jaylen Henderson OR Ethan Vasko
Purdie got the start and played all but two snaps. We saw both Jaylen Henderson and Ethan Vasko play a single snap each. Who is QB2? Maybe we find out this week.
Running Back: (A-Back) Jaylon Coleman; (B-Back) Peyton Jones
Backup: (B-Back) Kam Davis
These are the three running backs that got the bulk of the carries for Liberty this past week at JMU. Terron Kellman also got a couple snaps at B-Back. Of note, Justin Marshall didn’t make the trip, not sure if that is injury related or not, and Kanye Udoh did not play.
Wide Receiver: Jamari Person
Backup: Jon Monteiro
Wide Receiver: Makai Jackson
Backup: Darius Copeland
Wide Receiver: Bryce Randolph
Backup: Rashawn Cunningham
Jamari Person and Makai Jackson are clearly the top two targets in this receiver room. Bryce Randolph also looked solid in his first significant amount of snaps in a game. We didn’t see a ton out of Darius Copeland, perhaps that was more game plan than what we will see the rest of the way. Jon Monteiro and Rashawn Cunningham were the other receivers that made it onto the field.
Left Tackle: DJ Geth
Backup: Brandon Edozie
Left Guard: Joep Engbers
Backup: Jude Foster
Center: Aaron Fenimore
Backup: Blake Martin
Right Guard: Alex Birchmeier
Backup: Kevin Evehe
Right Tackle: Christian Williams
Backup: Val Erickson
We know the first five. We still don’t know exactly who makes up the second string on the offensive line as none of them got on the field in Week 1. Hopefully we will see some of that depth shake out this week against Gardner-Webb.
Tight End: Caleb Ryan OR LaKelsey Johnson
Back up: Zeke Wimbush
These three tight ends saw the bulk of the snaps and were featured a fair amount in the pass game. Caleb Ryan was banged up against JMU. We will have to see what his status is this week.
Defensive End: Lorenzo Payne
Backup: Michael Floyde OR Sam Cohen
Defensive Tackle: Mike Jarvis
Backup: Kam Cullins
Defensive Tackle: Nate Pirolli
Backup: Markus Clark
Joker: Brenton Williams
Backup: Ethan Crisp
No real surprises on the defensive front in Week 1. The Flames did rotate a lot of players up front.
LB: Derrell Farrar
Backup: Micah Pollard
LB: Deuce Spurlock
Backup: Aidan Vaughan
Derrell Farrar barely came off the field while the other three saw a fair number of snaps. Dillano Glaud and Kyle Ferm also played a few snaps each.
Cornerback: Elijah Hopkins
Backup: Myke Gunn
Cornerback: Quavo Marshall
Backup: Ashton McShane
It was good to see Elijah Hopkins flying all over the field on Saturday. Hopefully he can remain healthy. Quavo Marshall got the start on the other side. Myke Guy and Ashton McShane are also in the mix at corner.
Safety: D-Icey Hopkins
Backup: Ronald Moore, Jr.
Safety: Jeremiah Vessel
Backup: Jayden Davis
Star: Izaiah Guy
Backup: Ashton Whitner
This was our projected two-deep in the secondary at safety entering Week 1 and it played out that way.
Kicker: Chase Reeves
Backup: Tyler Black
Punter: Sam Crossan
Backup: Chase Reeves
Long Snapper: Greg Rivera
Holder: Sam Crossan
Kick Returner: Jon Monteiro
Punt Returner: Makai Jackson
Chase Reeves ended up winning the kicker battle late in camp and pushed past Tyler Black while Sam Crossan surpassed Reeves at punter.


