Anything and everything about Liberty Flames football. Your comments on games, recruiting and the direction of the program as we move into new era.

Moderators: jcmanson, Sly Fox, BuryYourDuke, Class of 20Something

By Footballfan
Posts
#526712
*BSAC = Big South All Conference Player
*RS = Redshirted
*Grad = Graduated or Graduating
*No Longer w/the Team

2012 RECRUITING CLASS

2012 Record – 6-5 overall – 5-1 Big South/ Big South Co-Champions
2013 Record – 8-4 Overall – 4-1 Big South /Big South Co-Champions
2014 Record – 9-5 Overall – 4-1 Big South /Big South Co-Champion – 2nd Round FCS Playoffs
2015 Record – 6-5 Overall – 3-3 Big South
2016 Record – 6-5 Overall – 4-1 Big South /Big South Co-Champion
(4 All Conference – 2 All Americans in 2015)
(2 All Conference in 2016)
All 2012 players used all remaining eligibility at end of 2016 Season
3 STARS
DJ Abnar – RB – BSAC – Grad '15
Darrin Peterson – WR – All American/3 Time BSAC – Grad'15
Aharown Campbell – OL - RS – Part Time Starter all 4 years - Grad '16/'17
Dallas Griffiths – LB – RS – Left after 2 yrs
2 STARS
Canon Smith – TE - RS – 4 year Letterman - Grad '16/'17
Demarcus Fasion – WR – RS-Left after 2yrs
NO STARS
Chima Uzowihe – DL – All American /3 Time BSAC – Grad ‘15
John Lunsford – K – All American/4 Time BSAC – Grad ‘15
Kendall Couamin – FB/TE – RS – BSAC ‘16 - Grad '16/17
Dante’ Shells – WR – RS – 4 year starter – BSAC ‘16 - Grad '16/17
Gerald Holt – DL – RS – Most Improved Defensive Player for Spring ‘15/DNP in '16
Ryan McCarter – WR – RS – Did not play 5th year
Charles Williams – S – RS –Left after 3yrs
WALK-ONS
Austin Kaigler – RB – Played 4 years

2013 RECRUITING CLASS
2013 Record – 8-4 Overall – 4-1 Big South /Big South Co-Champions
2014 Record – 9-5 Overall – 4-1 Big South /Big South Co-Champion – 2nd Round FCS Playoffs
2015 Record – 6-5 Overall – 3-3 Big South
2016 Record – 6-5 Overall – 4-1 Big South /Big South Co-Champion
(6 All Conference – 2 All Americans in 2016 )
(25 Offers in ‘13 – 9 Remain or Graduated)
2 STARS
Nick Newman – S/LB - 3 Time BSAC - Grad ‘16/'17
Zac Parker – WR – BSAC ‘16– Grad ‘16/'17
Stephon Masha – QB/WR – RS – Captain in ‘16/Start 4 Games ‘16
Gary Sampson – Ath-Played 12 games ’13 as fresh.
Justin Fritts – WR-RS- left after 2 yrs
Josh Smith – RB-RS-left after 2 yrs
NO STARS
Dexter Robbins – LB – BSAC ‘16 – Grad ‘16/'17
Erwin Dessources – DL – 2 yr starter – Grad ‘16/'17
Wesley Scott – DB/Safety – 2 yr starter – Grad ‘16/'17
Michael Henderman – OL – RS – 2 year starter / 1 start in ’16
Tyrin Holloway – DB – RS – 2 yr Starter/5 ints
Todd Macon – RB – RS – Starter in ’16/7 TD’s
Ja’Ron Greene – DL-played in 11 games as Fresh/started 11 in ‘15
Lucas Holder – OL- RS – BSAC ‘16 – Trans. to Western Ill.
Spencer Cook – DL-RS – Played in 6 games ‘15
Dylan Brucki – OL- RS-left after 2 yrs
Avery Easton – OL-RS-left after 1 yr
Cody Gochenouer – OL – RS-Juco Signee-left after 2 yrs
Justin Guillory – DB-RS-left after 2 yrs
Leonard Hunt – OL-RS-left after 2 yrs
Jesse Karnezis – OL-RS-Left after 1 yr
Blanchard Sanowuo – RS-OL-Left after 1 yr
John Nick Setterlind – LB –Never Enrolled ?
Kris Wilson – OL-RS-Enrolled-left after Soph yr
Marc Wilson – DL – RS-left after 2 yrs
WALK-ONS
Jonathan Burgess – (Soph Transfer) –2 Time All American/ 3 Time BSAC – Grad’15
Hunter Winstead – DE/LS – RS – All American STATS & Academic Team/ 2 Time BSAC
Trey Turner – P - RS – 3 Time BSAC
Thomas Kennedy – FB – RS - Most Improved Offensive Player Spring ’16 / 1 Start in ‘16/11 games played
Carrington Mosely – RB – RS – 1 Start in ’16/11 games played/ 1 TD
Isaac Brown – WR – RS - Grad’16/'17

2014 RECRUITING CLASS
2014 Record – 9-5 Overall – 4-1 Big South /Big South Co-Champion – 2nd Round FCS Playoffs
2015 Record – 6-5 Overall – 3-3 Big South
2016 Record – 6-5 Overall – 4-1 Big South /Big South Co-Champion
(2 All Conference Players in 2016)
(14 Offers in ‘14 – 9 Remain)
3 STARS
Will Johnson – (Soph transfer- WV) TE – Played 2 yrs – Grad’16/'17
2 STARS
Tolen TJ Avery – RS - DL – Starter in ’16
Lucas Irons – LB –RS - Most Improved Defensive Player Spring ’16 /1 Start in’16/ 10 games played’16
Avery James – LB – Played 13 games-started 1 as Fresh/Transferred to USC as walk-on
J.T. Bradwell – QB-RS-left after 2 yrs
NO STARS
Chris Turner – DB – RS - 2 Time BSAC/3 INTS
James Passmore – OL - RS – Starter in ’16
BJ Farrow – WR – RS – Starter in ’16 – 3 TD’s
Corbin Jackson – S – RS -2 Year Starter
Gregg Storey – OL/DL – RS – Started 1 Game / 9 Games Played
Daquin “Buddy” Edwards – FB –RS Transferred to Southeastern Unv..
Cam Jackson – S-RS-left after 2 yrs
Javon Majors – DL-RS – left after 2 yrs
WALK-ONS
Alpha Jalloh – S – (Transfer from Div. III) – BSAC ‘16 – Grad’16/'17
Dia Vante Brown – DL –Played in 11 games’14/Starter in ’16
David King – LB/LS – 11 games played in ’16
T.J. Tillery – CB – 11 games played in ’16

2015 RECRUITING CLASS
2015 Record – 6-5 Overall – 3-3 Big South
2016 Record – 6-5 Overall – 4-1 Big South / Big South Co-Champion
( 3 All Conference – 2 All Americans in 2016)
(15 Offers in’15 – 13 Remain)
3 STARS
Damien King – WR – 4 Games Started/6 games played in ‘16
Christian Morgan – TE – ( JR Transfer- OKL St) – Did Not Play
Denvre Daniels – WR/RB - RS
2 STARS
Jeremy Peters – DB – 1 Start in ’16 /9 games played ‘16
Rion Davis – S – RS - 11 Games played ‘16
NO STARS
Juwan Wells –DE – All American Sophomore Team / All State/BSAC
William Brown – DL- 2 Starts in ’16 / 9 games played in ‘16
Cameron Jones – S/DB – 9 Games Played in ’16
Dontae Duff – OL – RS – All American Freshman Team/All State/BSAC
Frankie Hickson – RB – RS – All State /BSAC
Zac Foutz – TE – RS – 10 games played ’16/ 1 TD
Javon Frazier – DL – RS – 10 games played ’16
Malik Matthews – DB – RS - 4 Games played ’16
Jaylyn McKinney – LB – RS - 11 Games played ’16
Ernst Anderson – OL – RS
WALK-ONS
Sam Isaacson – OL – RS – Starter ‘16
Elijah Benton – CB – RS - 11 games played ’16
Devin Fisher – OL – RS – 5 Games played ‘16
Cephas Reddick – WR – RS – 9 games played ’16
Josh Tully – WR – RS – 3 games played ’16
Jermaine Copeland – CB – RS

2016 RECRUITING CLASS
2016 – 6-5 Overall – 4-1 Big South / Big South Co-Champion
2016 ( 1 All Conference Player in 2016 )
(18 Offers in ‘16 – 17 Remain)
(Not Ranked in FCS Hero Sports Top 30)
(Ranked 175th in All NCAA by 247 Sports)
3 STARS
Alexander Probert – K – Honorable Mention All American Freshmen Team/BSAC
Stephen Buckshot Calvert – QB – Honorable Mention All American Freshman Team
2 STARS
Brandon Tillmon – S – 1 Start in ’16/ 10 games played ‘16
Antonio Gandy-Golden – WR – 11 games played ’16/3 TD’s
Lionell McConnell – WR – RS
Rudiger Yearick – QB – RS
NO STARS
Solomon McGinty – S/LB – (JUCO Transfer – JR)- Starter in ‘16/Captain ‘16/2 INTS
Julio Lozano – OL - (JUCO Transfer – Soph) – Starter in ‘16
Ethan Crawford – OL – Started 1 Game in ’16 - ? Games played ‘16
DeCarlo Hamilton – DL – 6 Games played ‘16
Jimmy Faulks – DB – 9 Games played ‘16
Damian Bounds – OL – RS
Aidan Burroughs – OL – RS
Korell Evans – LB – RS
Ceneca Esponoza – DB – RS
Mitchell Lewis – RB – RS
Daniel Zapata – OL – RS
Michael Anderson – DE- left during 1st semester
Walk-ONS
Spencer Jones – QB/ST – 11 Games played ‘16
Aaron Glover – LB – 9 Games played ‘16
Ralf Rusins – TE - ? Games played ‘16
Joseph Dixon – RB – Joined team ’16 as Soph.-RS in ‘16
Benjamin Alexander – S – RS
Collin Bailey – OL – RS
Josh Carlin – OL – RS
Michael Chorowicz – WR – RS
Joshua Cruz – WR – RS
Chris Escamilla – DE – RS
Cole Gibson – K – RS
David Jeremiah – WR - RS
Josh Newman – WR (Transfer UVA Wise) – RS
Josh Reichenback – TE – RS
Elijah Temple – CB – RS
Casey Vick – FB – RS

2017 RECRUTING CLASS
(Ranked 40th in TOP 50 FCS by Hero Sports)
(Ranked 165th in All NCAA by 247 Sports)
(15 Offers in ’17 )
3 STARS
Keith Best - DB
DJ Stubbs - WR
2 STARS
Aaron Pierre - S
NO STARS
Frank Boyd – RB
Khaleb Coleman – WR
Mason Cunningham (JUCO Transfer – Soph) – QB
Kimani Donaldson – WR
Remington Green – LB
Jerome Jackson – TE
Amarii’ Jenkins – LB/S
Cooper McCaw – OL
Elisha Mitchell – DL
Fidel Ogbeifun – TE
Jayod Saunders – DL
Tristan Schultz – OL
WALK-ONS
Michael Bollinger – TE/FB
Brett Bitter - WR
Elijah Cook – DL
Shane Grasty - LB
Ty Maust - LB
Austin Mock – LS/LB
Mason Wolk – DL
By Footballfan
Posts
#526713
DISCLAIMER: I am sure I made some mistakes on the list. I may not have accurately depicted why some players left, for example, due to injury, etc. I did my best.

Comparing recruiting classes is very subjective and difficult......
In my opinion, some of the most important factors to consider are:
1. The overall success of the team.
2. The individual players/class contribution to the team's success each year.
3. The individual accolades each player earns.
4. The attrition rate /graduation rate of each class.
Again, just my opinion and I realize there are many other factors to consider. I think most people will agree that the number of 3 or 2 Star Recruits does not always determine the success of a class and it takes four/five years to truly judge that success.

Going into Spring practice, there will be more additions, moves, and changes to the roster to consider. 2017 is going to be a big opportunity for these players and coaches.

One of the biggest surprises to me when comparing 2012-2017 is the number of initial walk-ons that have been or continue to be big contributors. Also, I suspect the number of defections from the 2013 class contributed to the W/L record in 2015, if nothing else, just from a lack of depth on the OL.
User avatar
By BJWilliams
Registration Days Posts
#526730
Well done...another thing that you have to notice is that our all-conference guys are mostly from the No Stars group...we only have had 3 all-conference plaudits from the three star group and 2 of them were in the same class. We have only had 2 players with 2 stars earn postseason honors.

We have had at LEAST one player in every class that had zero stars according to the recruiting sites make all-conference in 4 consecutive classes and I have a feeling we have a few guys in 2016 who will make it 5 this year
User avatar
By Sly Fox
Registration Days Posts
#526818
R i wrote:Post of the Year Nominee.

Excellent breakdown FF. What an interesting way to view the team.
I agree 100%. I know the amount of time invested in a post like this one. Thanks for the hustle, Footballfan!
User avatar
By BJWilliams
Registration Days Posts
#526829
Footballfan wrote:DISCLAIMER: I am sure I made some mistakes on the list. I may not have accurately depicted why some players left, for example, due to injury, etc. I did my best.

Comparing recruiting classes is very subjective and difficult......
In my opinion, some of the most important factors to consider are:
1. The overall success of the team.
2. The individual players/class contribution to the team's success each year.
3. The individual accolades each player earns.
4. The attrition rate /graduation rate of each class.
Again, just my opinion and I realize there are many other factors to consider. I think most people will agree that the number of 3 or 2 Star Recruits does not always determine the success of a class and it takes four/five years to truly judge that success.

Going into Spring practice, there will be more additions, moves, and changes to the roster to consider. 2017 is going to be a big opportunity for these players and coaches.

One of the biggest surprises to me when comparing 2012-2017 is the number of initial walk-ons that have been or continue to be big contributors. Also, I suspect the number of defections from the 2013 class contributed to the W/L record in 2015, if nothing else, just from a lack of depth on the OL.
I see a good bit of validity to that point FF...we lost 7...SEVEN...offensive linemen within 2 years from that class. They would have been redshirt seniors this fall if they had stuck it out and given us a very experienced two deep up front
By Footballfan
Posts
#527177
247 SPORTS Football Recruiting Class Rankings for all NCAA (FBS & FCS). The number is the overall ranking for the class in all of Division 1 football 2012 - 2017


Class Rankings for 2017 Liberty Opponents
Class Rankings for POSSIBLE 2018 and beyond Liberty Opponents

2012
130th - Liberty
133rd - Gardner Webb
163rd - Monmouth
170th - Presbyterian
181st - Charleston Southern
• List stopped ranking teams at 182
NO PLAYERS REMAIN ON ROSTER FOR 2017 SEASON

2013
6th – Notre Dame
25th – Baylor
56th – Marshall
66th – BYU
72nd – East Carolina
81st – Wake Forrest
94th – UAB
96th – Texas State
98th – UMASS
107th – UNC Charlotte
109th – North Texas
113th – Navy
115th – Ohio
117th – ODU
118th – New Mexico State
124th – App. State
126th – Georgia State
130th – Army
134th- Costal Carolina
135th - Jacksonville State
157th - Duquesne
168th - Indiana State
175th - Presbyterian
197th - Gardner Webb
206th - St. Francis
207th - Monmouth
209th - Liberty
Moorehead State, Kennesaw State, & Charleston Southern - No Ranking
• List stopped ranking teams at 210

2014
12th – Notre Dame
27th- Baylor
62nd – Marshall
63rd – Wake Forrest
68th- ODU
72nd – East Carolina
74th – BYU
85th- App State
95th – Texas State
100th – North Texas
101st – Ohio
105th – Georgia State
108th – UMASS
112th – UAB
113th- New Mexico State
1118th- Navy
121st – UNC Charlotte
124th- Army
134th- Costal Carolina
137th - Jacksonville State
138th - Charleston Southern
145th - Kennesaw State
174th - Indiana State
177th - Monmouth
179th - Duquesne
200th – Costal Carolina
218th - Liberty
219th - Presbyterian
220th - St. Francis
220th - Gardner Webb
Moorehead State - No Rankinig
• List stopped ranking teams at 220th

2015
13th – Notre Dame
36th – Baylor
53rd – Wake Forrest
64th – BYU
75th – Marshall
89th – Ohio
94th – East Carolina
95th - North Texas
96th – Texas State
101st – ODU
105th – UMASS
111th – Navy
115th – App State
117th – Duquesne
121st – Army
124th – New Mexico State
125th – Georgia State
127th – UNC Charlotte
133rd – Jacksonville State
140th – Costal Carolina
160th – Monmouth
166th – Liberty
184th – Presbyterian
188th – St. Francis
195th – Indiana State
198th – Kennesaw State
199th – Gardner Webb
223rd – Charleston Southern
240th – UAB
242nd - Moorehead State
• List stopped ranking teams at 242

2016
15th – Notre Dame
41st – Baylor
49th – Marshall
51st – BYU
60th – Wake Forrest
68th – UAB
78th – East Carolina
82nd – UMASS
87th – Navy
102nd – North Texas
105th- ODU
109th – Army
115th – UNC Charlotte
117th – Ohio
119th – App State
125th – Georgia State
127th – Costal Carolina
129th – New Mexico State
147th – Jacksonville State
173rd – Gardner Webb
175th – Liberty
191st – Kennesaw State
193rd – Presbyterian
203rd - Moorehead State
217th – Monmouth
221st – Charleston Southern
245th – Duquesne
269th - Indiana State
• List stopped ranking teams at 270

2017
10th – Notre Dame
40th – Baylor
65th – Wake Forrest
67th – BYU
78th – East Carolina
83rd – Marshall
84th – Navy
92nd – Texas State
98th – Georgia State
99th – Ohio
103rd- App State
111th – Army
112th – UNC Charlotte
115th – UMASS
116th – UAB
117th – North Texas
124th- Costal Carolina
125th- ODU
127th – New Mexico State
158th – Monmouth
160th – Kennesaw State
164th – Jacksonville State
165th – Liberty
187th – Indiana State
216th – Charleston Southern
217th – St. Francis
235th - Moorehead State
242nd – Gardner Webb
245th – Duquesne
• List stopped ranking teams at 245
Last edited by Footballfan on February 18th, 2017, 4:02 pm, edited 4 times in total.
By Footballfan
Posts
#527179
Agreed - TD - the 2012 class was a special group and were instrumental in Liberty's successful 2014 season. Based on 247 Sports - 2012 was the highest ranking class the Flames have had in past 6 seasons (and maybe ever)- followed by the Classes of 2015 and 2017 (essentially tied), closely followed by the class of 2016, then the Class of 2014, and then the Class of 2013.

Before this weeks announcement that Liberty is moving up to FBS, I felt that the Flames were positioned to make a another run at the Big South Title and play several FCS playoff games this season based off how many All Conference players were returning from the 2016 team combined with the high retention rate and the number of redshirts who played last season from the class of 2015 , and the success and potential for the classes of 2016 and 2017. Now, we will have to wait to see what the coaches decide to do about the upcoming season, but I would suspect that all or most of the 2017 class will re-shirt. There have already been several position moves from the player list I posted above and those position changes will become more evident during Spring Practice. Will the coaches decide to re-shirt the players from the 2015 and 2016 classes that played as True Freshmen? I am sure that will be discussed more in the future.

When I complied the list comparing Recruiting Classes, I decided to list some of the potential teams mentioned in other threads that Liberty could (or will face - Wake Forrest ) in 2018 and beyond. No one has mentioned Texas State or North Texas as possible opponents, but I decided to include those teams going off my strong assumption that Liberty and Coach Gill will want to continue to have a foot print in Texas. Also, I included the last two FBS teams Liberty defeated - App. State and Georgia State as well as the Beach Chickens as possible future opponents. ( I did not check the schedules of these teams to see if they had open dates in 2018 and beyond)

Congratulations to Liberty University, Mr. Falwell, Mr. McCaw, Coach Gill and all the Liberty Administration and Alumni. The determination they all displayed to get Liberty University to the position it is at today and carry out the vision of the late Dr. Falwell has to be admired and respected. GO FLAMES!
User avatar
By R i
Registration Days Posts
#527342
Footballfan wrote: Congratulations to Liberty University, Mr. Falwell, Mr. McCaw, Coach Gill and all the Liberty Administration and Alumni. The determination they all displayed to get Liberty University to the position it is at today and carry out the vision of the late Dr. Falwell has to be admired and respected. GO FLAMES!

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