- August 9th, 2014, 6:50 pm
#458483
Well we are three weeks away from the first kickoff against North Carolina, so I thought, with all the different previews hitting the net, I would give my perspective on the 2014 Liberty Flames, and break down each position. Will start with one of three major position battles on the offensive side, the quarterbacks:
Players Lost:
None
Players Returning:
Josh Woodrum 198/308 2581 Yards 19 TDs 7 INT (2013 Big South All-Conference Second Team)
Javan Shashaty 15/17 205 Yards 1 TD 0 INT
Stephon Masha No 2013 Stats (redshirt)
Bo Swanson No 2013 Stats (redshirt)
Players Incoming:
JT Bradwell 6'2" 190 Lbs (Godby HS, Tallahassee FL)
The Flames return all four QBs from the 2013 roster, led by Josh Woodrum, in his second full season as starter in 2014. The Cave Spring product has lit up the skies for Liberty in the last two seasons, missing becoming the first Flames signal caller with back to back 2000 yard seasons his first two years after throwing for just under 2000 in 2012. With a 2000 yard season this year, though, he will become the first Flame since current Jacksonville Jaguars WR Mike Brown turned the trick in 2010 and 2011 and only the third in program history (Hall of Fame member Robby Justino being the other one).
Shashaty had a solid year in 2013, only missing two passes, but he would usually come in when the game was well in hand and did not have to make a ton of deep throws when he came in, so how good he can be is yet to be seen. Masha, the jewel of the 2013 signing class, sat out as a redshirt last year, but has shown a lot of promise and could very well pass Shashaty for the backup position by the time the Flames begin game week prep for the Tar Heels, offering a skill set very similar to Woodrum, which could offer a lot more for OC Aaron Stamn
Swanson, who transferred to nearby Liberty Christian Academy after his senior football season, came in as a preferred walkon in 2013 and probably will be doing a lot more scout team work and probably won't get many reps unless Liberty was up a ton, or the three QBs ahead of him all suffered injuries (which would be a much bigger problem).
Bradwell, another dual threat QB from the talent rich state of FL, will be redshirted this season, unless the second scenario for Swanson came into play, and even then, it would be a risky proposition burning his redshirt at this juncture.
Projected Depth Chart
Josh Woodrum
Stephon Masha
Javan Shashaty
Bo Swanson
JT Bradwell (redshirt)
Woodrum is the man...easily. The only way he doesn't start under center for Liberty down in Chapel Hill is either a) he suffers a severe injury in practice b) He goes clinically insane at some point in the next three weeks or c) The Rapture occurs (and chances are 99 percent of us won't be around to even debate that point should that happen). If what Im reading on here is accurate, I really think that Masha edges out Shashaty for the backup spot with the former walkon ending up #3.
Players Lost:
None
Players Returning:
Josh Woodrum 198/308 2581 Yards 19 TDs 7 INT (2013 Big South All-Conference Second Team)
Javan Shashaty 15/17 205 Yards 1 TD 0 INT
Stephon Masha No 2013 Stats (redshirt)
Bo Swanson No 2013 Stats (redshirt)
Players Incoming:
JT Bradwell 6'2" 190 Lbs (Godby HS, Tallahassee FL)
The Flames return all four QBs from the 2013 roster, led by Josh Woodrum, in his second full season as starter in 2014. The Cave Spring product has lit up the skies for Liberty in the last two seasons, missing becoming the first Flames signal caller with back to back 2000 yard seasons his first two years after throwing for just under 2000 in 2012. With a 2000 yard season this year, though, he will become the first Flame since current Jacksonville Jaguars WR Mike Brown turned the trick in 2010 and 2011 and only the third in program history (Hall of Fame member Robby Justino being the other one).
Shashaty had a solid year in 2013, only missing two passes, but he would usually come in when the game was well in hand and did not have to make a ton of deep throws when he came in, so how good he can be is yet to be seen. Masha, the jewel of the 2013 signing class, sat out as a redshirt last year, but has shown a lot of promise and could very well pass Shashaty for the backup position by the time the Flames begin game week prep for the Tar Heels, offering a skill set very similar to Woodrum, which could offer a lot more for OC Aaron Stamn
Swanson, who transferred to nearby Liberty Christian Academy after his senior football season, came in as a preferred walkon in 2013 and probably will be doing a lot more scout team work and probably won't get many reps unless Liberty was up a ton, or the three QBs ahead of him all suffered injuries (which would be a much bigger problem).
Bradwell, another dual threat QB from the talent rich state of FL, will be redshirted this season, unless the second scenario for Swanson came into play, and even then, it would be a risky proposition burning his redshirt at this juncture.
Projected Depth Chart
Josh Woodrum
Stephon Masha
Javan Shashaty
Bo Swanson
JT Bradwell (redshirt)
Woodrum is the man...easily. The only way he doesn't start under center for Liberty down in Chapel Hill is either a) he suffers a severe injury in practice b) He goes clinically insane at some point in the next three weeks or c) The Rapture occurs (and chances are 99 percent of us won't be around to even debate that point should that happen). If what Im reading on here is accurate, I really think that Masha edges out Shashaty for the backup spot with the former walkon ending up #3.
Im sure Coach Gill and the staff will make the right decision for how to use these guys. Every coach (or aspiring coach in my case) has their own philosophy and while I have my own perspective, I support Coach Gill and what he is doing. That will be a very fun thing to watch after 2015.
unbelievable
- By Ill flame
- By AATL