Liberty University Flames 2025 Preview

Head Coach: Jamey Chadwell- At School: (21-5) 2 years; Overall: (119-62) 15 yrs

OC : Willy Korn; DC: Kyle Krantz

2024 Record: 8-4 (5-3)

Impact Players: QB Ethan Vasko, C Aaron Fenimore, WR Tyson Mobley, WR Reese Smith, DE TJ Bush, DE CJ Bazile, LB Joseph Carter, S Brylan Greene, CB Amarian Williams, CB Dexter Ricks, S A’Khori Jones

Offense:

The 2025 Flames offense will look much different than it did in Chadwell’s first two seasons as HC. That is due to the departure of QB Kaidon Slater and RB Quinton Cooley, both staples of the Liberty offense the past two seasons. Chadwell turned to the transfer portal to find his signal caller when he signed Coastal Carolina QB Ethan Vasko to lead the Flames O. At RB, no one rusher has set themselves apart as the lead back and we could see a committee approach until someone takes the reins. The talent is there at WR for Vasko with returning pass catchers, Reese Smith and Tyson Mobley. The o-line is experienced and led by all-conference C Aaron Fenimore.

Defense:

The Flames defense has the benefit of returning nearly all of its returning production in the secondary. S Bryan Greene and CB Dexter Ricks are all league candidates and are joined by returning starters CB Amarian Williams and S A’Khori Jones. The secondary was shaky at times last season, but with another offseason to gel, they should be much improved. On the edges, Liberty should be as talented as alone in the league thanks to DE TJ Bush and DE CJ Bazile. Bush was an All-Conference player, who totaled 5.5 sacks last season. The middle of the defense is anchored by all league candidate LB Joseph Carter, who led the team in tackles in ‘24.

Analysis:

Simply put, 2024 was a disappointing year for the Liberty Flames. After going 13-1 in 2023, the Flames fell to 8-4 including losses to FBS newbies Sam Houston and Kennesaw State. This season should show more promise as the Flames get the benefit of one the nation’s easiest schedules. As always with having a transfer heavy offense, there will be an adjustment period and the defense will be called upon in the early goings of the season to carry the load. The talent and experience is there for the Flames to revert back to being the conference’s top team. 

2025 Record Floor: 7-5

2025 Record Ceiling: 11-1

2025 Record Prediction: 9-3