Liberty Football: Can Flames stay hot, make another bowl in 2020?

Can Flames keep momentum going on offense?

Hugh Freeze has always had a reputation for developing quality quarterbacks and offenses and he is going to have to put some of that magic to work this season, with only four starters returning on offense.

The Flames had one of the top passing offenses in the country, but that was with star players like wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden and quarterback Stephen Calvert, and that will be Liberty’s main focus: replacing big play talent.

Freeze loves tempo on offense and he may have found the quarterback to run his system to perfection. Auburn transfer Malik Willis is the leader to replace Calvert as the Flames’ starting quarterback and he certainly has talent to be both a threat in the passing game, as well as a runner. Another transfer, Chris Ferguson, arrived from Maine and will push Willis for the starting job.

Both guys are capable, but I think Willis’ talent as both a runner and a passer will make this offense more dangerous.

Last year’s starting running back Frankie Hickson was a very reliable starter, rushing for over 1,000 yards in two separate seasons, but Joshua Mack is more than capable of shouldering the load for the offense. Mack rushed for 792 yards in back up duties last year and he could see an increase in carries until the new quarterback gets comfortable.

There will need to be someone to step up and fill the backup running back role and it is going to be a group of guys that are largely unproven.

Gandy-Golden is off to the NFL after a tremendous season and it will be tough to replace him, but there are plenty of capable and talented receivers waiting in the wings.

Last year’s second-leading receiver, DJ Stubbs, will be counted on as the veteran to lead this team and he should see a big jump in production, if the new quarterbacks adjust in time. Redshirt freshman CJ Yarbrough is a big play threat waiting to happen, after averaging 20 yards per catch last season in limited time last season and could be the best of the bunch. Johnny Huntley is back at tight end and should be another threat for whoever is starting under center.

The offensive line is returning three starters and left tackle Tristan Schultz is a guy that you will need to keep an eye on for the draft next year as a sleeper prospect. The right tackle spot will be manned by Ole Miss transfer Bryce Matthews, a talented guy that should fit in seamlessly.

The offense has talent, but will be guided by the new quarterback play and how the new receivers step up to replace Gandy-Golden.