What we learned about the Flames at their press conference and open practice: reporter’s notebook
Yesterday was the last press conference and open practice before the Flames take on the Campbell Camels in their season opener Saturday, August 31. Here’s everything we took away from yesterday morning’s events in our first-ever Reporter’s Notebook column.
Reporter’s Notebook: Liberty Football 8/27
Still no decision on the starting kicker
As there was all summer, there is an ongoing competition for who will earn the starting role of kicker for the Flames. According to Head Coach Jamey Chadwell, the camp battle is a three-way stalemate between senior Brayden Beck, senior Colin Karhu and junior Nick Brown.
Here’s what Flames HC Jamey Chadwell said yesterday regarding the ongoing kicker competition pic.twitter.com/eWHkWdBrSc
— Liberty Champion Sports (@ChampionLiberty) August 28, 2024
Offensive line troubles
The Flames had a somewhat set starting lineup for the offensive trench, but new injuries have thrown that projection into disarray. Projected starter and transfer, senior lineman John Paul Flores, was sidelined today with what appeared to be a right leg injury. The team has not released an official timetable or statement regarding the injury, but it didn’t appear to be a minor injury.
Chadwell officially listed redshirt freshman Austin Anderson as out with a shoulder injury. Anderson was someone the Flames had hopes for this season as both a depth piece on the line and a possible starter.
The front four at WR
The Flames appear to have their WR1 through WR4 set for the upcoming season, and three of those four are new faces for Flames fans. The only returner at wideout for the Flames is senior Treon Sibley, who had 467 yards and four touchdowns for the Flames last season on 23 catches.
Behind Sibley are two transfers, redshirt junior Tyson Mobley and junior Julian Gray, who transferred from Coastal Carolina and NC State, respectively. Gray didn’t run with the ones during this morning’s practice, but all reports indicate that the former four-star recruit will be starting for the Flames on opening day.
Taking Gray’s place in today’s practice was the fourth wide receiver, redshirt freshman Darius Copeland. Copeland had limited minutes for the Flames against UMass last season but eventually spent his true freshman season as a redshirt. Without the presence of former Flame Aaron Bedgood in the slot, there’s a natural opening for Copeland to emerge as a star for the Flames this season.
| Liberty Flames projected offensive depth chart | |
| QB | Kaidon Salter |
| RB | Quinton Cooley / Vaughn Blue |
| WR | Treon Sibley |
| WR | Julian Gray |
| WR | Tyson Mobley |
| TE | Bentley Hanshaw / Austin Henderson |
| OL | Xavior Gray |
| OL | Aaron Fenimore |
| OL | Jack Tucker |
| OL | Jordan White |
| OL | Harrison Hayes |
Palsgrove is the sports editor; follow him on X.
