By Chris Lang

Published: March 26, 2008

Danny Rocco took a moment Wednesday to reflect on his first spring as Liberty’s football coach.
The Flames had two quarterbacks on the roster, neither of whom would actually still man the position in the fall. The offensive line was a mess. Depth was non-existent.
To understand how far along the Flames are three years into Rocco’s tenure, one only has to peek at the depth chart heading into spring practice, which opens tonight at Williams Stadium. As Rocco rattled off names of potential contributors in the defensive backfield, he ticked off 11 names. He talked of four quarterbacks who could help his team win games.
Liberty must replace several key players, including a probable NFL draft pick in linebacker Vince Redd. But because Rocco has been able to stockpile depth in the last two recruiting classes, the prospect of replacing players like offensive linemen Stephen Sene, Eddie Pinigis and Marshal Ausberry doesn’t seem as daunting to Rocco as some would think.
“I definitely think we’re going to find a way to win our fair share of games and compete for a conference championship again,” Rocco said.
One reason for Rocco’s thinking: Continuity. For the second straight season, the entire coaching staff returns intact. Also, Rocco has recruited players who are solid fits in both Liberty’s power offense and its 3-4 defense. In the past, he was working with players from the previous coaching regime, which were recruited to fit into entirely different offensive and defensive systems.
Some storylines heading into the three-week spring practice season, which culminates with the April 19 spring game:
ä New blood up front: Liberty loses three offensive linemen who could end up in NFL camps this summer. Center Mike Godsil, who is recovering from a broken leg suffered in the 2007 season finale, and guard Britt Stone are the two returning starters.
Zach Davis and Josh Weaver are the current first-string tackles, and Bryan Mosier and Alabama transfer Alex Stadler are battling for the other guard spot. Spencer Hodges, Antonio Tassara and Toney White will also be in the mix for playing time.
ä Big impact?: Rocco raved about the potential of Kyle O’Donnell, who will replace Stevie Ray Lloyd at the Jack linebacker spot. O’Donnell, who played running back in high school and redshirted last season, has 4.42 speed in the 40-yard dash and has the sort of wingspan that can disrupt the play-action passing game.
Pat Bannon and Ian Childress will man the outside linebacking spots, replacing Brandon Duke and Redd.
ä Secondary depth: For the first time in Rocco’s tenure, the backfield is the defense’s strength. Both starting corners — Pat Calvary and Kent Hicks — return, along with key nickel contributors Chuck Duffey and Tim Torrence. At safety, hard-hitting Ryan Greiser is back, along with Chris Rocco. Coach Rocco is expecting big contributions from freshman Larry Claiborne, a GW-Danville graduate who redshirted last year.
ä Revamped receiving corps: Wynton Jackson and Brandon Turner are gone, leaving Dominic Bolden as the lone returning starter. Six-foot-5 freshman Chris Summers has the potential to be special, Rocco said. Jonathan Crawford and Matt Lambros played well in limited time last season, and athletes B.J. Hayes and Danny Broggin will see time at A-back and at receiver.
ä Kicking questions: Very little will be resolved until freshman Matt Bevins joins the team in the summer. Kicker Noah Greenbaum and punter Zac Kolegue, both all-conference selections, have graduated. In the spring, running back Wes Cheek and quarterback Brock Smith will handle punting duties, and David Drake will take care of most of the place-kicking.
Smith has some history punting. Towson offered him a scholarship as a punter, but Smith chose Liberty instead because he wanted to play quarterback.