A Sea Of Red

Part 3 of my look at the 2011 Liberty Flames moves to the last group of skill position players on the offensive side of the ball:

Players Returning

Chris Summers (R-Senior) 76 Rec 1081 Yards 15 TD Big South All Conference First Team Sports Network All America First Team Associated Press All America Third Team
Ervin Garner (R-Senior) 12 Rec 208 Yards 1 TD
BJ Hayes (R-Senior) 56 Rec 546 Yds 1 TD
Pat Kelly (Junior) 39 Rec 635 Yds 4 TD
Jimmy Eden (R-Junior)- No 2010 Stats (Medical Issue)
Greg Pratt (R-Sophomore) No 2010 Stats
Jaquan Glover (R-Freshman) No 2010 Stats (Redshirt)
Julian Poindexter (R-Senior) No 2010 Stats
Donte Harvey (R-Sophomore) No 2010 Stats
Austin Marsh (R-Junior) No 2010 Stats

Players Lost

Kyle DeArmon (Graduation)
Gabe Henderson (Redshirt and moved to QB)

Players Incoming

Lorell Morris 5-8 150 Lbs (Liberty Christian Academy)
Jerel Coles 5-10 180 Lbs (Northeastern University)

The wide receivers are heavy on experience, led by Summers, who was almost unstoppable much of the year (although he missed the 2010 finale against Stony Brook with a badly sprained ankle). The only defender who really had significant success against him was First team All Conference DB Josh Norman of CCU (although Summers did beat him on the play that led to Summers' ankle sprain). Pat Kelly had a breakout game against Stony Brook, setting a school and conference record for receiving yards and showing that he can be an electrifying second option. Garner missed much of the year with a knee injury but he showed no ill effects in the spring game so look for him to certainly be a threat as well. Look for those three along with Hayes, Pratt and Eden (returning after missing the entire 2010 season due to complications from an appendectomy) to be the receivers who see the most time although Chase Barnett will certainly push Hayes for time at the slot position.

#14
Jerel Coles Int Yds TDs
- - -

Team: Liberty Flames Height: 5-10 Born:
Position: WR Weight: 180 Hometown: Upper Marlboro, MD
Class-Eligibility: Jr-So

http://stats.nj.com/cfb/players.asp?id=185368

I know the football roster page has him at 5'0", but that's a typo apparently.

flamehunter wrote:

#14
Jerel Coles Int Yds TDs
- - -

Team: Liberty Flames Height: 5-10 Born:
Position: WR Weight: 180 Hometown: Upper Marlboro, MD
Class-Eligibility: Jr-So

http://stats.nj.com/cfb/players.asp?id=185368

I know the football roster page has him at 5'0", but that's a typo apparently.

I had a feeling that something was up with that height flamehunter. thanks for the info

And apparently, Chase Burnett has been moved to the "BJ Hayes" role.

We've had some pretty stout receivers over the past few years but I can't even remember a time where we had this much depth.

I think with such a large amount of attention on Summers and Kelly, I'm excited to see how Hayes shows up this season. I wouldn't be surprised to see him have a break out year. He's always had the ability, but he's kinda been banged up a little bit throughout his career. Love to see him bust out for a big year this season.

Hayes and Garner both have amazing ability and talent for #3 and #4 WRs. Should have huge years.

This is probably the deepest we have had since the 2007 season when we had Wynton Jackson, Brandon Turner and Jon Crawford all doing well (Crawford actually came back in 2008 and had a career year) with four players who all could put up big numbers (Summers, Hayes, Garner and Kelly) and then guys right behind them that will be chomping at the bit (Pratt, Barnett and Eden) and then the last group who will probably mostly be seen in "garbage time" but if anything were to happen could be pressed into duty, this could be the best WR group we have had in quite some time.