2014 Signing Day Preview

After a lengthy hiatus, we are back and just in time for the 2014 Signing Day of February 5.

Here is who the Liberty Flames have lost from 2013:

3 WR Jaquan Glover, Greg Pratt, Branden Francis
1 RB Aldreakis Allen
1 TE Brandon Apon
2 OL Malcolm Boyd (redshirt), Hunter Steward
3 DL Jibrille Fewell, Cory Freeman, Francis Bah
2 LB Scott Hyland, Chris Mayo (converting from DB)
4 DB Aaron Dial, Sorie Bayoh, Walt Aikens, Kevin Fogg (redshirt)
1 P Grant Bowden
1 LS Richard Wright

Also, Michael Johnson completed his degree and will not be returning in 2014.

Here is a look at the list of players from the class of 2014 who have committed to signing letters of intent on Wednesday:

3 OL (James Passmore, Gregg Storey, Jeff Fox)
2 LB (Avery James and Lucas Irons)
2 DL (Javon Majors, Tolen Avery)
1 QB (JT Bradwell) *Not a team need*
1 RB Daquin Edwards
1 WR (BJ Farrow)
1 ATH (Corbin Jackson)
1 DB (Cameron Jackson)
1 P/K (Avery Echols
1 TE (Trey Caso)

With only four days until national signing day, here is how I perceive the team needs for this signing class:

3 DB (although Corbin Jackson could fill one of those)
2 WR
1 DL (preferably a DT)
1 LS

If I had to prioritize the remaining positions by importance I would rank them this way:

1. DB- With Fogg and Aikens both gone (Aikens earning all-conference honors AND a spot in the 2014 Senior Bowl), they are probably the two biggest pieces that need to be filled in the backfield. Kenny Scott will probably take one of those starting spots in the backfield along with sophomore Wesley Scott, with 2013 Liberty Flames Nation athlete Jacob Hagen and sophomore Gary Sampson on the back end. The real question will come from who will back these four up as well as who takes on the nickel back spots for those situations. Cam Jackson looks very impressive on film and could follow in the steps of Sampson and Scott and come right in and play as a freshman next year.
2. LB- the Flames lose two very good second level guys in Scott Hyland, the former Liberty Christian standout who earned back to back all-conference honors, and physical DB/LB hybrid Chris Mayo.
Nick "Big Stack" Sigmon will be the anchor of the group (and probably an early favorite for defensive PotY along with Quinn Backus from CCU), and returners Andrew Jauch and Bobby Partilla will probably be early favorites to split time at another spot according to Liberty Flames Nation. The biggest question mark in the group is Dallas Griffiths. He has battled injuries the last couple seasons and has really not had a chance to live up to his full potential, but if he can get back to even close to 100%, he will be an early favorite for the last spot, otherwise, we could see a freshman stepping in here as well.
3. P- Now most would be hard pressed to see punter as an important position, but with all-conference punter (and former Virginia Tech Hokie) Grant Bowden graduating, the only other one on the roster is unproven walk-on Trey Turner. With John Lunsford returning to battle with Shane Blanchard for the kicking job, this will be an important one to watch if Turner Gill and the Flames coaches can get another punter on the mountain in this class.
4. DL- Liberty lost three all-conference players in Fewell, Freeman and Bah (who started out as a TE and FB before switching to the defense). Chima Uzowihe enjoyed a major surge in productivity in 2013, almost tripling his numbers from 2012 and earning Big South All-Conference honors. The biggest question will be who fills in the middle after two sizable contributors graduated
5. LS- All-American Richard Wright sent his final snap against CSU in November, so it will be interesting to see if 2013 preferred walk-on Hunter Winstead steps into that role, or if TG and the staff are able to find someone on the recruiting trail with longsnapping experience. Whatever the case, they will have quite a tradition of excellence to follow at the position with Wright and forner LS Dan Pope both earning All-conference and All-American honors.
6. TE- This is a position that I think you would least likely see a freshman have a chance to step in right away and play despite the graduation of all-conference player Brandon Apon and Michael Johnson. With quite a few upperclassmen though. it might be a nice position to pick up one or two and plan for the future.