Offense
The quarterback position sees another competition in 2026. Injuries and turnovers really hurt this room last season. Ethan Vasko returns but is coming off shoulder surgery. The additions of Deshawn Purdie (Wake Forest) and Jaylen Henderson (West Virginia) provide starting experience. Expect Purdie to be QB1.
The running back room returns Jaylen Coleman and adds five transfers. The additions of Kanye Udoh (Arizona State), Terron Kellman (Wyoming), Kam Davis (Florida State), Peyton Jones (Duke), and Justin Marshall (Colorado State) should all contribute immediately. Expect this room to help Liberty to return to its dominate rushing like it was in 2023 and 2024.
The Wide receiver room returns experience in Jamari Person and tight end Caleb Ryan. The additions of Rashawn Cunningham (Charleston Southern), Refeno Vangates (North Carolina Central), Makai Jackson (Indiana), and tight ends LaKelsey Johnson Jr (Baylor) and Zeke Wimbush (Virginia Tech) are huge for this unit.
The offensive line room returns four starters in Aaron Fenimore (All-CUSA), Christian Williams, Joep Engbers, and DJ Geth (All-CUSA). The additions of Jude Foster (Ole Miss), Kevin Evech (St Francis), Val Erickson (NC State), and Alex Birchmeier (Penn State) help make this the best offensive line in CUSA.
Defense
The defensive line returns experience in Aaron Hester, Nathan Pirolli, Marcus Clark, Kam Collins, Mike Jarvis, Henry Hicks, and Brenton Williams. The additions of Lorenzo Payne (West Florida), John Curtis (D2 Emory & Henry), and Henry Hicks (D2 Elizabeth City State) provide depth to this unit.
The linebacker room returns experience in Derrell Farrar, Ethan Crisp, Aidan Vaughan, Micah Pollard, Deuce Spurlock, and Dillano Glaud. Each of these guys has starting experience. SMU transfer Kyle Ferm provides even more depth to this unit.
The secondary will be very transfer heavy. Jiquavious Marshall and Elijah Hopkins return. The additions of Izaiah Guy (South Florida), Tyrell Gainey (D2 Albany State), D-Icey Hopkins (Georgia State), Ashton Whitner (Ball State), Ashton McShane (Boston College), Elijah McKenzie (D2 Bowie State), and Prince Cottonham (JUCO) are crucial.
Specialists
Both kicking and punting roles see a competition. Kicking duties will belong to either Tyler Black, true freshman Carson Jones, or D2 McKendree transfer Chase Reeves. Reeves also is competing for the punting role with Sam Crossan.
2026 Schedule
9/5 at James Madison
9/12 Gardner-Webb
9/19 Ball State
9/24 at Coastal Carolina
10/2 at Delaware
10/8 Sam Houston
10/21 at Kennesaw State
10/31 Florida International
11/7 at New Mexico State
11/14 Middle Tennessee State
11/21 Western Kentucky
11/28 at Missouri State
Final Analysis
Last season was Liberty’s first losing season in 20 years. Jamey Chadwell has made plenty of changes to the staff and roster and there is tons of promise. This roster has all the talent they need to return to the top of CUSA. Now they just need to put it all together.
