Former Auburn quarterback Malik Willis has been named the starter for Liberty for the 2020 season.
Former Auburn quarterback Malik Willis has been named the starter for Liberty for the 2020 season.
Flames coach Hugh Freeze announced Monday that Willis will start at quarterback in their home opener against Western Kentucky this weekend. Willis, a redshirt junior, was a 3-star prospect coming out of high school and redshirted last year after transferring to Liberty during the 2019 offseason.
A member of Auburn’s 2017 recruiting class, Willis served as the backup to Jarrett Stidham in 2017 and 2018. He appeared in 15 games and completed 11-0f-14 passes for 69 yards while rushing for 309 yards and two touchdowns.
Willis competed with Bo Nix and Joey Gatewood for the starting job in 2019 but transferred when he fell behind them on the depth chart and was forced to sit out the season after the NCAA denied his request for immediate eligibility.
Elijah Benton: What the Browns are getting in their UDFA safety from Liberty
The Cleveland Browns added 15 undrafted free agents. GM Andrew Berry dove deep into some smaller school guys, including two defenders from Liberty. Cleveland is clearly trying to add pieces to the defensive backfield and add more depth to a positional group that lacks superior quality.
Name: Elijah Benton
Position: Safety
School: Liberty
Height: 6-0
Weight: 205 pounds
🔴 DB Spotlight 🔴
Elijah Benton – Liberty
– Benton had a big season in 2018 with 76 Tackles, 2 Pass Breakups and 1 INT. He's the second leading returning tackler for the Flames in 2019. pic.twitter.com/yMmfGMv336
Strengths: Much like his teammate, Solomon Ajayi, Benton was rumored to be poised for a major pro day, but due to COVID-19 the event was canceled. As stated in the tweet above, Benton has a very impressive 2018 season and really shined in a few games including against Old Dominion where he was named Defensive Player of the Week for accounting for eight tackles and one pass deflection, which came on a key fourth-down play in the fourth quarter. He ended that season with 76 tackles, which tied for the team lead.
Weaknesses: A major jump was expected for Benton in 2019 and although he still had a statistically productive season, like his tape nothing really jumps off the page. Although he hasn’t missed any significant time with injury, his smallish frame could be an indicator of issues to come. Benton didn’t dominate against the lower competition that Liberty faces and there is nothing to indicate that the jump to the NFL will be very easy.
Overall: Benton has an uphill battle to make the final roster. Unless he can show that he can contribute on special teams, I just don’t see any value here or even the potential for Benton to become a consistent contributor. The Browns staff clearly sees something that I do not and the safety depth is weak, but seeing his name on the final roster would be shocking.
He is the younger brother of former NFL RB Jay Ajayi
The Cleveland Browns made it official with one of the reported undrafted free agents signing with the team. Liberty Flames linebacker Solomon Ajayi inked his contract with the team on Thursday from his home.
Ajayi joins the Browns after a prolific two-year stint at Liberty. At 6-1 and a muscular 235 pounds, Ajayi primarily played outside but could also project to playing ILB in the NFL. He had 165 total tackles, two sacks, 2 INTs and 10 TFLs in his two seasons in Lynchburg.
He is the younger brother of former NFL running back Jay Ajayi.
NOTE: Obviously, no one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.
5. College Football News Preview 2020: Liberty Flames Offense 3 Things To Know
– The offense was able to find a good consistency and balance last year, but there’s some overhauling to do. QB Stephen Calvert is gone along with RB Frankie Hickson and new Washington Redskin WR Antonio Gandy-Golden.
Head coach Hugh Freeze knows how to put together a high-powered attack with an up-tempo passing game, but he and co-offensive coordinators Kent Austin and Maurice Harris need to come up with their man men to run the whole thing.
CFN in 60 Video: Liberty Flames Preview
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– There might not be any sort of a drop-off in the overall offensive production if Auburn transfer Malik Willis can playtime part right away. He had to sit out last year, and he’s not going to be the passer that Calvert was, but he can move. Sophomore Brandon Robinson and redshirt freshman Johnathan Bennett will be deep in the hunt. They’ll get their chances, but Bennett is coming off a knee injury, Willis has been waiting his turn, and Chris Ferguson is a big passer transferring in from Maine.
There isn’t another Gandy-Golden in the receiving corps – even with hopes high for redshirt freshman CJ Yarbrough – but four of the top five receivers are back, including TE Johnny Huntley. The passing game might not average 289 yards per game again, but it’ll be effective.
– The right side of the O line has to be replaced, but three starters are back from a group that wasn’t bad in pass protection and did a decent enough job for the ground attack to get by. Getting Ole Miss transfer Bryce Mathews for one tackle job helps.
Senior Joshua Mack is a terrific veteran back who should statistically explode. The former Maine transfer will share the rotation a bit, but if all goes according to plan, he’s the main man. If Wills really does grab the starting quarterback job, he’ll be one of the team’s better runners.
NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Liberty Flames Defense 3 Things To Know
Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Liberty wide receiver prospect Antonio Gandy-Golden
Antonio Gandy-Golden | WR | Liberty
Elevator Pitch
Gandy-Golden was productive for his last two seasons at a small school. At Liberty, he produced back-to-back 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns seasons for the Flames. He is a big wide receiver prospect who can be a jump-ball and red zone threat for a team that could potentially develop into more of a complete prospect.
First thing that stands out about Gandy-Golden is his his size. At 6’4″ with 31 3/4″ arms, he is a long wide receiver prospect that can catch passes outside of his frame. Climbing the ladder poses no problem for him. He is also known to make the circus catch with one hand when corners are draped all over him. Catch radius is another big trait that scouts will absolutely love. Shows good body control when airborne.
His 2019 tape is much better in terms of his ability to catch the ball, despite the fact that his numbers in 2018 were better. Does show some down the field speed on deep routes. Just throw the ball near him and he likely will come down with the ball. Great target for jump balls and back shoulder fades in the end zone.
Weaknesses
He is somewhat a one trick pony at this point in his football career. Deep routes and jump balls are the name of his game. AGG’s route tree development leaves a lot to be desired. He won a lot against lesser opponents with his ability to out jump and muscle smaller defenders. He will struggle with the NFL’s physical cornerbacks.
Along with needing to develop as a route runner, Gandy-Golden needs to work on his release at the line. Despite his size, he will likely struggle with press coverage knocking him off his route. Contested catches at Liberty were much of a problem but with cornerbacks in the NFL that remains to be seen. He struggled when Liberty played Auburn.
Previewing Saturday’s Cure Bowl betting odds between the Liberty Flames at Georgia Southern Eagles, with betting picks, tips and bets.
The Liberty Flames (7-5) face the Georgia Southern Eagles (7-5) in Saturday’s Cure Bowl. The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. ET at Exploria Stadium in Orlando.
We analyze the Liberty-Georgia Southern odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.
Liberty vs. Georgia Southern: Three things you need to know
1. Georgia Southern definitely relies on the ground game, rushing for 3,138 yards (the nation’s eighth-best average of 261.5 yards per game). However, the Eagles rank last in passing yards, throwing for just 873 yards (72.8 YPG), but with no interceptions.
2. Liberty, in just its second year as an FBS program, threw for 3,486 yards this season to rank 21st overall with a 290.5 YPG average. The Flames ranked 72nd with 152.0 rushing YPG.
3. As for scoring, Liberty averaged 33.7 PPG, while Georgia Southern averaged 29.2 PPG.
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!
Liberty vs. Georgia Southern: Odds, betting lines and picks
Oct 31, 2019; Boone, NC; Georgia Southern Eagles running back J.D. King. (Photo Credit: Jeremy Brevard – USA TODAY Sports)
Bowl games are tough to gauge, but here you have a high-powered offense in its first bowl game in school history against a team that gave up more than 30 points five times. LIBERTY’S +155 not only is a great value because it’s its first-ever bowl game, the team will be extra motivated to play well. Take the underdog and win big.
New to sports betting? Every $10 wagered on Liberty would profit $15.50 if the Flames prevail.
Georgia Southern is favored at -4.5 (-106). The Eagles are 5-7 ATS on the season, while the Flames are 6-6. They had one common opponent in New Mexico State. They both won and covered the spread in that game.
Using the same logic as with the moneyline, take the underdog newcomers. They will be fired up because this is something special for them as a program. Take the FLAMES +4.5 (-115).
The total is set at 58.5 points. Georgia Southern finished 8-4 O/U in the regular season. Liberty was 4-6 O/U. Anticipate a high-scoring game here and take the OVER (-110).
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