4. College Football News Preview 2020: Liberty Flames Defense 3 Things To Know
– The defense won’t need quite as much time as the offense to get going. The top three tacklers are done from a D that didn’t do enough against the run and got gouged a bit too much at times by mediocre offenses, but the pass rush was strong. Losing top playmaking end Jessie Lemonier hurts, but sophomore TreShaun Clark is a good one on the outside, and there’s excellent bulk to rotate in at the tackles. The line will be okay early on.
– The linebacking corps has upside, but it needs a slew of new parts to rise up. Throw in the loss of second-leading tackler Elijah Benton at one safety spot, and there are a whole lot of tackles that need to be replaced. There’s almost no bulk in this group – 225-pound Charlotte transfer Anthony Butler has to help there – but speed and athleticism aren’t a problem. The Flames are, for the most part, throwing a slew of safety-sized guys at linebacker, and …
– Corner-sized guys will hang out at safety. CB Bejour Wilson is done, but Jimmy Faulks is a decent veteran at one corner gig, There are plenty of options to rotate in at safety, with good-tackling junior Javon Scruggs a versatile option who can play just about anywhere. There isn’t going to be a whole lot of thump on this D overall, but everyone can move.