Liberty football opened training camp with its first practice on Wednesday, 30 days ahead of the Flames taking the field for its 2026 season opener on September 5 at James Madison. As the Flames go through training camp, there will be a lot of eyes on the quarterback battle to see who emerges as the team’s signal caller as Liberty looks to improve off a very underwhelming 4-8 season last year.
Ethan Vasko, Deshawn Purdie, Jaylen Henderson, Ethan Houck, and Jachin Davis are the five competing for that job. On Wednesday, following the first practice of fall camp, head coach Jamey Chadwell was asked about the quarterback battle. Here is everything he had to say about what he anticipates for this battle during camp:
“We are going to do it a little differently this year. We’ve got five guys taking reps, five guys can’t get equal number of reps. As a coaching staff, we’ve got eight practices, I think practice nine is the first scrimmage. Once we get to the first scrimmage, we’re naming our top two. The top two are going to get the rest of the reps throughout the rest of camp. Then, we will name our one after, probably, the next five. Everyone will have their chance through the first scrimmage. After that, we are going to our top two. Those two are going to be the ones focused on getting all the reps.”
“I’m not trying to figure out who is three and all that stuff. I made a mistake with that in the past. Hopefully, one is identified and he is the one out there with the 1s. That’s our hard line. We’re not going after, as far as the top two. Now, it might take a little longer to figure out who 1 is, but the top two, we’re going to identify and go from there.”
“You have an idea through spring and summer. Maybe somebody surprises you with their improvement in the summer, but you have an idea who you think it is. What’s unique is, obviously, you got Ethan Vasko coming off an injury. He didn’t get any reps int he spring. So, you got to see how he improves. He knows the system. He’s obviously been here for that, but just his health, you got to see how he improves with that. I think that’s a challenge for him just to see where he’s at with his injury. Those other guys, they’ve been in it for the spring and the summer. From an install standpoint, we’ve probably installed the offense four or five times as far as install wise. Not games, but we’ve went through it enough so they should have a foundation, an understanding, to be able to go out and perform at the level we think they should.”
The practice nine scrimmage is currently scheduled for Saturday, August 15. Chadwell was then asked a follow up question on if he thinks the decision for who will be the starter will go into game week.
“I hope not, no. If it is, nobody’s probably done a good job.”
Chadwell was then asked if Vasko has any limitations to begin camp after coming off shoulder surgery during the off-season that caused him to miss spring practice.
“He say he is (100%) and doctors say he is. He says he feels great. I’m not taking it that he’s not. He had an upper body injury. Anytime you have an upper body recover, you just got to see how that continues to develop. It takes a little while because he went from not doing any type of throwing for about 5-6 months. Then you have to build your arm and all those things, so it just takes little longer.”
Vasko enters training camp as one of the favorites after starting 10 games in 2025 and returning with the most experienced in Chadwell’s system. The former Coastal Carolina transfer threw for nearly 2,000 yards while adding another dimension with his legs, but turnovers and consistency remains areas he must improve. His familiarity with Liberty’s offense and leadership give him a bit of an edge, yet he’ll have to fend off a talented group of challengers brought in to elevate the competition. If Vasko takes better care of the football and becomes more efficient as a passer, he could win the job.
Purdie may have the highest upside in the quarterback room. The former Wake Forest transfer possesses ideal size, a live arm, and Power Four experience that made him one of Liberty’s most significant portal additions. His physical tools and playmaking ability make him a legitimate threat to win the starting job. If he quickly develops chemistry with his receivers and proves he can consistently operate the offense, Purdie has every opportunity to make this quarterback battle his to lose.
Henderson brings perhaps the most extensive college resume of the group after previous stops at Texas A&M and West Virginia. The veteran has seen high-level competition and offers a steady presence with the athleticism to thrive in Liberty’s run-oriented attack. While he enters camp behind Vasko in familiarity with the system, Henderson’s maturity and experience could allow him to close the gap quickly. If the coaching staff priorities decision-making and veteran leadership, don’t count him out of the race.
Houck quietly enters his second season in the program after spending a redshirt year in 2025, giving him an advantage in understanding Liberty’s offense despite limited game action. The former highly regarded recruit has prototypical size and showed flashes during his brief appearances last season. While he’s considered an underdog in the competition, another year of development could position him to surprise. A strong camp would not only strengthen his case for the backup role but could also keep him firmly in the conversation as Liberty evaluates its quarterback depth heading into the season.
The true freshman Davis is likely the long-term future of the position, but training camp provides him an opportunity to show he belongs. Davis arrives with an impressive high school resume and dual-threat ability that fits Liberty’s offensive identity. Winning the e starting job immediately would be a tall task with so much veteran talent ahead of him, but every practice will be valuable as he adjusts to the speed of the college game. Even if he serves in a reserve role this season, Davis is a name worth watching throughout camp.
