Tuesday, I took a look at Liberty’s running backs. Today, we move on to the wide receivers. Thursday, look for a post on the Flames’ quarterbacks.

First, the stats:
WRs LOST
Dominic Bolden (56 rec., 1,056 yards, 9 TD, 88 ypg)
Jonathan Crawford (47 rec., 713 yards, 6 TD, 59.4 ypg)

WRs RETURNING
Mike Brown (will also play QB) (19 rec., 331 yards, 1 TD, 27.6 ypg)
Chris Summers (2 rec., 14 yards, 1.2 ypg)
Aaron Hewlett (1 rec., 2 yards, 0.2 ypg)

There’s no doubt, looking at those numbers, that there is some work for wide receivers coach Charlie Skalaski to do. Of the four receivers listed at the top of the Flames’ depth chart, only Summers has caught a ball in a Liberty uniform. Jimmy Eden (5-10, 175) redshirted last year. Freddy Brown (6-3, 210) and Ervin Garner (5-9, 165) transferred in from other schools. Skalaski and head coach Danny Rocco like the talent here, but the inexperience is staggering.

“We have a chance to be an impressive group physically ... if we work,“ Skalaski said. “We’ve got some nice size. ... The focus has been OK. The best thing I like is that they’re young, and they’re willing to work and learn.“

That doesn’t mean the group has gone without hiccups during training camp. Skalaski had to get on the group for lack of effort at practice Monday, and he hopes to not have to repeat those sentiments. The receivers don’t have game experience to fall back on. Size and potential are tantalizing, yes. But without real game action, he’s not sure what he has with the group.

The biggest question mark is leadership. Liberty has had five all-conference receivers in the last three years. Mike Brown (6-0, 190, rSo.) will split time at quarterback and receiver.

“We’ve had a nice run in leadership,“ Skalaski said. “Brandon (Turner) and Wynton (Jackson) played for three years. Dominic and J-5 (Crawford) played a lot, so they were ready when it was their time. These kids haven’t played a lot. Freddy Brown is coming in from another system. Chris Summers has been here but hasn’t played a lot. I think Jimmy Eden and Ervin Garner are going to be good players for us. But nobody’s played much. You can only simulate the speed of the game so much in practice.“

Summers, the 6-foot-5, 190-pound redshirt sophomore, has appeared to have turned a corner in his third year in the program. Summers was originally recruited by Louisville, and since arriving at Liberty, he’s been a frustrating, inconsistent receiver. But he’s put in a ton of offseason work and now looks willing to pay the physical price necessary to play Division I football. No longer is he afraid of contact over the middle. He’ll still have the occasional bout of “alligator arms,“ where he loses concentration because he’s anticipating a hit, but those occurrences are becoming rarer as camp rolls on.

“Chris has had a good camp,“ Skalaski said. “(Monday) was his first bad day in camp, but he came back today and bounced back. Chris has just got to learn how good he could be. He doesn’t know that yet. Chris doesn’t understand that, if he pushes himself, what his upside, his potential is.“

Garner, a Virginia Tech transfer, has missed nearly all of training camp with a hamstring injury, hurting his chances of making an early impact for the Flames. Garner is an outside speed threat and someone who could help in the quick passing game, running strong short routes.

“Erv had a good first couple of days of camp,“ Skalaski said. “He had really positioned himself well. But you know, there’s an old saying, ‘You can’t make the club in the tub.‘ So yeah, it hurts a lot. And it hurts our team. We’re trying to get units together and get chemistry and rhythm. I told the guys, part of what you’re getting paid to do, on scholarship, is to take care of your body. But some things are unfortunate and can’t be helped.“

Brown, the South Carolina transfer, is working against the clock to assimilate himself into Liberty’s offense. He didn’t arrive on campus until practice had already begun.

“It’s a function of how hard he’s going to hit the (playbook) and push himself physically,“ Skalaski said. “He got here late. He didn’t get any 7-on-7 with us this summer. So he’s got to really push himself mentally and physically. He’ll assimilate as quickly as he’s willing to work.“

Last year, Rocco described Eden as a “Wes Welker type.“ Eden too has missed time with a sore hamstring but was back at practice this week.

“Jimmy’s coming,“ Skalaski said. “Jimmy will be in the mix. He’s a hard worker who loves the game. Jimmy’s strength is his passion about playing football.“

Another player to watch is Aaron Hewlett (5-7, 165, rSr), who at the very least looks like an option to run reverses and short routes.

“Aaron Hewlett’s going to find a role on this football team,“ Skalaski said. “He’s had a great camp.“

Liberty has some depth at receiver, as Chuck Duffey (6-0, 190, rSr.) switched back to receiver after playing defensive back the last two seasons. LCA graduate Pat Kelly (6-3, 205, Fr.) is a physical presence who enrolled in the spring and could make an impact as well. The other receivers on the roster are Kyle DeArmon (6-3, 185, rJr.), a converted quarterback; Brandon Apon (6-4, 215, Fr.); Zach Duke (5-11, 175, So.); Cody Fridgen (5-11, 180, rFr.); Bellmon Hicks (5-10, 170, So.); and Josh Medlin (5-11, 180, rSo.).

“The potential is limitless,“ Skalaski said.

Check back later on today for another blog post, this one dealing with teams 11-20 in the FCS 40.