The off-season and preparation for the 2026 campaign is fully underway. Liberty will work on replacing 8 starters and some key reserves, as well as additional names that could enter the portal in the coming days and weeks. The transfer portal is open January 2 through January 16 and players can sign with schools at any time during or after that window.
The Flames added to their 2026 roster with a 20 player recruiting class earlier this month and will look to continue to beef up its roster through the portal and perhaps even in the February signing period.
Here’s a quick look at the players that Liberty must replace, among those who either are in the final seasons of eligibility or those who have already announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal:
Quarterback
The Flames will obviously be looking for improved play at quarterback in 2026, whether that is with a QB currently on the roster or someone knew added. 2025 starter Ethan Vasko returns with a year of eligibility remaining, but he will miss approximately six months, which will include the entirety of spring ball, as he recovers from surgery on his injured shoulder. Jayden Bradford has already entered the portal, leaving Michael Merdinger and Ethan Houck as the returners. True freshman Jachin Davis will also join this group. Chadwell said last week that quarterback will be a key target position in the portal with the team looking to add at least one and potentially two quarterbacks through the portal. Clearly this is the most important position on the team, and Liberty will have to get this spot right to have a successful 2026.
Running Back
The only running back that loses eligibility is Juju Gray, but questions around Evan Dickens and if he will enter the portal remain. Until that is decided, this position will be unknown, and based on Chadwell’s comments on National Signing Day, it does sound like Dickens will be headed into the portal. Other running backs on the roster include Vaughn Blue, Caden Williams, Jaylon Coleman, and Malachi Fannin-Render. Blue has shown his ability but has struggled to remain healthy. Coleman showed flashes during his true freshman campaign and should see his role expand moving forward.
Wide Receivers
The Flames get hit pretty hard at receiver with Elijah Canion, Casey Cain, Reese Smith, and Tyson Mobley all moving on. Leading receiver Donte Lee also announced his plans to enter the transfer portal. Jamari Person is slated to return, the only receiver with significant playing time for the Flames. Other young names remain including Jon Monteiro, Darius Copeland, Bryce Randolph, Nas Newkirk, and Eric Smith. Once again, expect receiver to be a position of emphasis for the Flames in the portal.
Tight End
Perhaps the most established room on the team entering the 2025 season, the tight end room will have a new look and feel in 2026 as Jacob Jenkins and Austin Henderson depart. Caleb Ryan returns and has become a key figure in the room. The Flames also have several younger faces that should expect to see their role increase in Eli Sisson, Connie Hewitt II, and Bo Burklow.
Offensive Line
The Flames are slated to return four of the five starters on the offensive line with DJ Geth, Joep Engbers, Aaron Fenimore, and Christian Williams all expected back. Harrison Hayes is the only returning starter that is currently not going to return. Liberty has also been very high on Austin Anderson on the offensive line. He returned late in the 2025 season and should be penciled in as a likely starter next year. The pieces are there for the Flames to have a veteran offensive line next season.
Defensive Line
Liberty will be looking for improved play on the defensive front next season. Most of the two-deep is currently slated to return. Only Bryce Dixon, who does have a year of eligibility remaining, was part of the senior day festivities. Defensive ends Aaron Hester, Donovan Dozier, and Eli Hall return. This group struggled to consistently get pressure on the opposing team’s quarterback. Michael Floyde was a JUCO transfer that joined in the early signing period that the Flames are expecting to play next season. If Brenton Williams returns, though he could be a candidate to enter the portal, the Joker position should be fine in spite of losing CJ Bazile. If Williams leaves, that position will be a huge question mark next season.
On the interior of the defensive line, several key pieces from this year’s team are expected to return including Mike Jarvis, Nate Pirolli, Markus Clark, Joe Strickland, Kam Cullins, and Sam Cohen. Chadwell did mention adding one or two interior defensive linemen would be a priority during the portal period.
Linebackers
The Flames had to learn to play without Joe Carter in the second half of 2025. Everyone other than Carter is expected to return to a group that should be fairly solid moving into 2026. Derrell Farrar emerged as the team’s top tackler while Aidan Vaughn, Micah Pollard, Deuce Spurlock, and Ethan Crisp all had significant playing time on the field this past fall. The staff is also very high on redshirt-freshman Dillano Glaud.
Defensive Backs
Liberty loses most of its production from its secondary with Amarian Williams, Damond Harmon, Dexter Ricks, A’Khori Jones, Brylan Green, Eli Auguste, Eldric Griffin, and Jalon Rock all departing. At safety, Christian Bodnar and Devin Henderson are the only proven holdovers while Quavo Marshall and Elijah Hopkins will look to help the team at corner. Expect several new faces to join the team through the portal in the defensive secondary. The Flames did add Prince Cottonham (JUCO) and Elijah McKenzie (Bowie State) in the early signing period that will join the team for the spring.
Special Teams
Jay Billingsley and Max Morgan are gone as the Flames will need to find replacements for their punter, holder, kickoff specialist, and kicker. Tyler Black, a transfer from Wake Forest who was on the team this past season, should be an early favorite at kicker. Sam Crossan has been with the Flames for the past two seasons and was Morgan’s backup at punter this past fall.
