- November 27th, 2013, 5:48 pm
#443187
As we put a rather disappointing 2013 season (in some aspects), we begin looking at the players returning for what is a very important 2014 season, year three for Turner Gill. Here is how the offense shapes up as far as returning players for spring ball 2014:
Quarterback
Josh Woodrum 198/308 2581 Yards 19 TD 7 INT 48 Rushes 154 Yards 5 TD
Javan Shashaty 15/17 205 Yards 1 TD 0 INT
Stephon Masha No stats (2013 redshirt)
Bo Swanson No stats
Woodrum went into this year as the unquestioned starter for Liberty, but some questionable throws and a seeming lack of progression opens the door for some real competition heading into the offseason. Shashaty mostly came on in mop-up time and had a decent showing when he actually got to throw the ball, but the player to watch right now is Masha. the dual threat QB from FFG's stomping grounds made some very nice plays in his first practices in a Flames uniform, but this will be his first chance to truly compete for a spot on the two deep. With 2014 commit TJ Bradwell likely coming into the picture next summer, this will be one of the battles to watch.
Running Back
Des Rice 186 Rushes 967 Yards 16 TDs
DJ Abnar 72 Rushes 411 Yards 6 TDs
Clifton Richardson 94 Rushes 399 Yards 6 TDs
Austin Kaigler 23 Rushes 134 Yards 3 TDs
Nicky Fualaau 5 Rushes 46 Yards 1 TD*
Toddrick Macon No stats (2013 redshirt)
Josh Smith No stats (2013 redshirt)
Kendall Couamin No stats*
*Fullback
Rice, after playing in the shadow of Aldreakis Allen and Sirchauncey Holloway, came into the season with a lot to prove, and after a slow start, prove he did, taking hold of the starting tailback job on the way to a career high in yards and TDs on the way to second team all conference honors. Richardson, a transfer from UVa, never really could get it going and will have to work hard to keep from getting passed by promising freshman Macon or a surprisingly speedy Kaigler, although most of his numbers came in garbage time.
Abnar showed bursts of the lightning he possessed as a true freshman in 2012 and despite a concussion, took hold of the #2 spot at RB this year. Smith, who redshirted this season, certainly has potential to be another speedster and could be a great "jet" option with Greg Pratt graduating.
Wide Receiver
Darrin Peterson 58 Receptions 825 Yards 7 TD
Gabe Henderson 47 Receptions 641 Yards 3 TD
Dante Shells 29 Receptions 432 Yards 1 TD
Jaquan Glover 9 Receptions 112 Yards 0 TD
Justin Fritts No stats (2013 redshirt)
Dakota Kelly No stats (2013 redshirt)
Ryan McCarter No stats
Malaki Roy No stats (2013 redshirt)
Isaac Brown No stats (2013 redshirt)
Peterson took a major leap forward in his first year as the #1 wide receiver, finishing with 4 100 yard receiving games and the second highest yardage total for a sophomore for a season. Henderson, after starting his career on a similar track to former standout Mike Brown, the former QB took ownership of the slot receiver position and had a breakout season, finishing second in yards (641) and TDs (3) to Peterson. Shells, after dealing with injuries in 2012 and redshirting in 2011, is showing the promise that he had in his first spring practice. It will be fun to watch how Fritts, Roy, Brown and Kelly, younger brother of former standout (and likely HoFer IMO) Pat Kelly fit in the rotation as well as McCarter, coming back from a leg injury that kept him out for all of 2013.
Tight End
Dexter Herman 5 Receptions 78 Yards 2 TD
Michael Johnson 1 Reception 28 Yards 1 TD
Garrett Long No stats
Tyler Meeks No stats
Canon Smith No stats
This position will be the most wide open of the skill position battles with the graduation of former walk-on Brandon Apon, who finished his career with the most TDs by a TE in Big South history on the way to first team all-Big South honors. Herman took over as the starter while Apon dealt with concussion symptoms late in the year so it will probably be him and former Longwood pitcher Johnson battling for the #1 spot in the spring along with promising recruit Smith.
Offensive Line
Jonathan Burgess
Mitch Hanson
Aharown Campbell
Cody Gochenouer
Grant Jones
Greg Ray
Max Sommer
Ethan Callison
Dylan Brucki (2013 redshirt)
Avery Easton (2013 redshirt)
Michael Henderman (2013 redshirt)
Lucas Holder (2013 redshirt)
Jesse Karnezis (2013 redshirt)
Andrew Kingsbury (2013 redshirt)
Blanchard Sanwouo (2013 redshirt)
Kris Wilson (2013 redshirt)
This is an important group with the graduation of two key players in Malcolm Boyd and Hunter Steward. With 16 players returning, Burgess, Hanson, Ray and Campbell will likely be tasked with leading this group which allowed the fewest sacks since 2010.
Quarterback
Josh Woodrum 198/308 2581 Yards 19 TD 7 INT 48 Rushes 154 Yards 5 TD
Javan Shashaty 15/17 205 Yards 1 TD 0 INT
Stephon Masha No stats (2013 redshirt)
Bo Swanson No stats
Woodrum went into this year as the unquestioned starter for Liberty, but some questionable throws and a seeming lack of progression opens the door for some real competition heading into the offseason. Shashaty mostly came on in mop-up time and had a decent showing when he actually got to throw the ball, but the player to watch right now is Masha. the dual threat QB from FFG's stomping grounds made some very nice plays in his first practices in a Flames uniform, but this will be his first chance to truly compete for a spot on the two deep. With 2014 commit TJ Bradwell likely coming into the picture next summer, this will be one of the battles to watch.
Running Back
Des Rice 186 Rushes 967 Yards 16 TDs
DJ Abnar 72 Rushes 411 Yards 6 TDs
Clifton Richardson 94 Rushes 399 Yards 6 TDs
Austin Kaigler 23 Rushes 134 Yards 3 TDs
Nicky Fualaau 5 Rushes 46 Yards 1 TD*
Toddrick Macon No stats (2013 redshirt)
Josh Smith No stats (2013 redshirt)
Kendall Couamin No stats*
*Fullback
Rice, after playing in the shadow of Aldreakis Allen and Sirchauncey Holloway, came into the season with a lot to prove, and after a slow start, prove he did, taking hold of the starting tailback job on the way to a career high in yards and TDs on the way to second team all conference honors. Richardson, a transfer from UVa, never really could get it going and will have to work hard to keep from getting passed by promising freshman Macon or a surprisingly speedy Kaigler, although most of his numbers came in garbage time.
Abnar showed bursts of the lightning he possessed as a true freshman in 2012 and despite a concussion, took hold of the #2 spot at RB this year. Smith, who redshirted this season, certainly has potential to be another speedster and could be a great "jet" option with Greg Pratt graduating.
Wide Receiver
Darrin Peterson 58 Receptions 825 Yards 7 TD
Gabe Henderson 47 Receptions 641 Yards 3 TD
Dante Shells 29 Receptions 432 Yards 1 TD
Jaquan Glover 9 Receptions 112 Yards 0 TD
Justin Fritts No stats (2013 redshirt)
Dakota Kelly No stats (2013 redshirt)
Ryan McCarter No stats
Malaki Roy No stats (2013 redshirt)
Isaac Brown No stats (2013 redshirt)
Peterson took a major leap forward in his first year as the #1 wide receiver, finishing with 4 100 yard receiving games and the second highest yardage total for a sophomore for a season. Henderson, after starting his career on a similar track to former standout Mike Brown, the former QB took ownership of the slot receiver position and had a breakout season, finishing second in yards (641) and TDs (3) to Peterson. Shells, after dealing with injuries in 2012 and redshirting in 2011, is showing the promise that he had in his first spring practice. It will be fun to watch how Fritts, Roy, Brown and Kelly, younger brother of former standout (and likely HoFer IMO) Pat Kelly fit in the rotation as well as McCarter, coming back from a leg injury that kept him out for all of 2013.
Tight End
Dexter Herman 5 Receptions 78 Yards 2 TD
Michael Johnson 1 Reception 28 Yards 1 TD
Garrett Long No stats
Tyler Meeks No stats
Canon Smith No stats
This position will be the most wide open of the skill position battles with the graduation of former walk-on Brandon Apon, who finished his career with the most TDs by a TE in Big South history on the way to first team all-Big South honors. Herman took over as the starter while Apon dealt with concussion symptoms late in the year so it will probably be him and former Longwood pitcher Johnson battling for the #1 spot in the spring along with promising recruit Smith.
Offensive Line
Jonathan Burgess
Mitch Hanson
Aharown Campbell
Cody Gochenouer
Grant Jones
Greg Ray
Max Sommer
Ethan Callison
Dylan Brucki (2013 redshirt)
Avery Easton (2013 redshirt)
Michael Henderman (2013 redshirt)
Lucas Holder (2013 redshirt)
Jesse Karnezis (2013 redshirt)
Andrew Kingsbury (2013 redshirt)
Blanchard Sanwouo (2013 redshirt)
Kris Wilson (2013 redshirt)
This is an important group with the graduation of two key players in Malcolm Boyd and Hunter Steward. With 16 players returning, Burgess, Hanson, Ray and Campbell will likely be tasked with leading this group which allowed the fewest sacks since 2010.
as in Go Flames???
- By alabama24
- By Chippy