We continue to countdown towards the 2024 football season where Liberty will look to repeat as Conference USA champs under head coach Jamey Chadwell all while looking to make it back to a 6th straight bowl game.
Be sure to check out our previous ranking of #30-21 as we continue today with our ranking of players #20-11.
Plagued by injuries throughout much of his career, Canion has transferred to Liberty from Purdue after beginning his career at Auburn. If he is able to stay healthy, Canion could have a huge impact on the field with the Flames if he can develop some chemistry with quarterback Kaidon Salter.
Chris Boti was a part time starter for Liberty last season on the interior of the defensive line. He is certainly a veteran and capable producer for the Flames on the defensive front and could blossom into an all-conference performer.
Jackson comes to Liberty from East Carolina where he led the Pirates in tackles last year. He could do that for the Flames this season and could be too low on this list. Jackson is likely to slide into the starting Mike linebacker spot left vacant by the graduation of departing CUSA Defensive Player of the Year Tyren Dupree.
Treon Sibley has spent much of his Liberty career as a complimentary player, but this fall the talented wide receiver will have the opportunity to be a go to threat. He has that ability to make an impact on the game, and we will see if he can put it all together and develop some chemistry with QB Kaidon Salter.
Transferring from Coastal, Brown will have the opportunity to carve out a substantial role for Liberty this season. He could play either safety or linebacker, but it is expected that Brown will settle in at linebacker this fall. The Flames have numerous new faces at that position this season, but Brown shouldn’t be counted out from making a significant contribution.
Vaughn Blue quickly emerged as a legitimate threat for the Flames as a true freshman last year. That success was put on halt as Blue was sidelined for most of the season with an early season injury. He would return late in the year, but, now he should be fully healthy and ready to add some additional explosiveness to an already loaded Liberty running back corps.
Hardy will be counted on for a big role this fall for Liberty this season. He has been a steady performer for the Flames and now will help anchor the interior of the defensive line in 2024.
After playing sparingly as a true freshman in 2022, Bazile became a starter for the Flames last season. With that year of experience under his belt, the edge rusher can become one of the more dominant players at his position in CUSA this season with his ability to rush the passer, something that was a bit of a weakness for the Liberty defense a season ago.
A couple of the big names at corner from last season are now gone for the Flames, but Amarian Williams returns. Williams has been a bit overshadowed during his time at Liberty, but that’s not for a lack of his play. Instead, opposing teams have generally tried to not target Williams and his side of the field but instead attack the other side. Williams is now a veteran and upperclassman and will look to step into more of a leadership role this season.
Hanshaw was the recipient of the only touchdown Liberty scored in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day against Oregon. It was the capstone of a successful season for the veteran Liberty tight end. With questions at wide receiver, Hanshaw leads a very talented and deep tight end position that should help the Flames on the receiving end this fall.
