I had a chance to digest the new class of Liberty Flames for a couple days and here is my analysis of the class, player by player, and at the end will talk about the group as a whole (credit ro LibertyFlames.com for the info on the signees)
Tolen Avery 6-4 235 Lbs DL Texas City, TX (Ball HS)
This is a signing a really liked. He lined up at end mostly in his highlight videos but he did have a few plays as an interrior lineman. With his size and speed he will probably be looking at playing at the offside end spot opposite 2013 All Conference honoree Chima Uzowihe in the next couple years which will afford the Flames the ability to get more pressure on the QB, something that was lacking in the big games last year.
J.T. Bradwell 6-2 190 Lbs QB Tallahassee, FL (Godby HS)
While QB wasnt a dire need for the FLames (with Woodrum, Shashaty and 2013 Redshirt Masha all returning along with 2013 PWO Bo Swanson), Bradwell is a good get to give them an athletic player who can make plays with his arms and his legs. With Woodrum graduating after 2015, this will be a year for Bradwell to get some good seasoning before diving headlong into the QB battle with Shashaty and Masha.
Daquin "Buddy Edwards 6-0 230 Lbs RB/FB Lake Butler, FL (Union County HS)
This was one that flew largely under the radar until the final couple weeks of the recruiting season. Edwards is another big back the Flames will be able to give the rock to and chew up yards and clock, and while he wont set any world records in the 100 yard dash, he will get you plenty of yards after contact thanks to a very powerful frame.
B.J. Farrow 6-2 170 Lbs WR Forest, VA (Liberty Christian Academy)
Farrow joins what is becoming a steadily pipeline of WR from just on the other side of campus, joining former Flames standout Patrick Kelly and his brother Dakota (2013 redshirt and preferred walk-on) and former DB Chris McAlister (who switched over to the defensive side of the ball when he suited up for the Flames). Gill was extremely happy to get what some would call a "value signing" in one of the top WRs in th Central Virginia area. Farrow, at 6-2, played like he was about 6-5 or taller, showing a high propensity to win 50-50 balls and a field awareness that allowed him to make plays that a lot of other receivers might struggle with. If he can adjust quickly to the college game, he could be threatening quite a few records before his time on the mountain is over.
Lucas Irons 6-0 195 Lbs LB Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Coconut Creek HS)
One of the biggest needs for the Flames came at the LB position with two time all-conference standout Scott Hyland (also a former LCA product like B.J. Farrow above) graduating. Irons gives the Flames a smart, but also physical presence (a la former Flame Brent Vinson) at the second level, while also providing speed to get to the QB in blitz situations.
Cameron Jackson 6-1 185 Lbs S Pearland, TX (Lutheran South Academy)
First thing that I like about Cam is his physicality. He had some very solid hits on his highlight film ad would give the defensive backfield some definite pop over the middle as well as in run support. The other positive is his height and ball skills. being 6-1 will help him in coverage situations against equal or taller receivers, plus he will be very good at making plays on the ball in the open field. My big concern is his route recognition and attempting to make a play on the ball leading to a big play (something that happened quite a bit last year in the Flames defensive backfield
Corbin Jackson 6-0 190 Lbs CB Charlotte, NC (Victory Christian School)
Corbin is another big physical DB which will help the Flames on the back end with the departure of Walt Aikens from last year's team (graduation this May), and he has very good ball skills like Cameron above him, but he also showed that he can be a major contributor in special teams much like another outgoing Flame, Kevin Fogg. Jackson could find himself seeing quite a bit of tield time in that aspect before making an impact on the defense.
Avery "A.J." James 6-0 S Duncan, SC (Byrnes HS)
James continues the theme of big DBs for the Flames, and coming from high school power Byrnes (home to former Presbyterian coach Bobby Bentley), he brings an impressive pedigree to the mountain, and much like the other DBs, impressive ball skills to match. Word from my friends over at Liberty Flames Nation (www.libertyflamesnation.com) is that James will get a shot to see the field immediately so he will certainly get a chance to put those ball skills of his to work soon as he hits the mountain this summer.
Javon Majors 6-3 250 Lbs DL Virginia Beach, VA (Ocean Lakes HS)
Majors is the first player from the talent rich Hampton Roads area to suit up for the Flames since former LB and DL standout Demetrius Ward. He played a lot of tackle in his highlight film, but someone of his size, he probably will be playing defensive end, which judging by his video, will take advantage of his speed and he could also play right away which would make for an excellent complement to Chima Uzowihe like Avery.
James Passmore 6-6 270 Lbs OL Dallas, NC (North Gaston HS)
Passmore fills one of two major holes in the trenches with the hogmolly from NC. Passmore was on the right side of the line in every one of his highlights so I think that he could be a future replacement for former right guard Malcolm Boyd.
Gregg Storey Jr. 6-5 315 Lbs OL Cary, NC (Panther Creek HS)
Storey was the other piece up front for Turner Gill and the Flames, and he gives the Flames a bulldozer for the middle of the line. He is very nimble for his size and wll clear the way for the future Flames backfield
Chris Turner 6-3 175 Lbs CB Columbia, SC (Denmark-Olar HS)
This one was filed under "who?". Turner gives the Flames one more big body to match up with the taller WRs that are becoming commonplace in college football. Turner did suffer an injury that caused him to miss much of his senior year so his health is going to be a question coming into camp.
Will Johnson 6-6 245 Lbs TE Maple Grove, MN (Osseo HS/West Virginia)
The Flames picked up their first FBS transfer since Walt Aikens and first on the offensive side since Tommy Beecher with the former Mountaineer. At 6-6, he gives whoever the QB is a very big target which will open up the passing game for the WRs.
Avery Echols 5-10 180 Lbs K Zeeland, MI (East HS)
The Flames pick up another kicker to offer some competition with 2013 starting kicker John Lunsford sitting out the first two games of 2014, which creates a competition now with walk-on Shane Blanchard, who filled in for the first half of the Brevard game while Lunsford was suspended. Echols will have a chance to be the third true freshman to start for Liberty at kicker since 2008 (Matt Bevins and the aforementioned Lunsford being the other two).
Friday, February 7, 2014
Saturday, February 1, 2014
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.
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.
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