Training Camp Position Preview: Quarterbacks
8/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
As Liberty continues its preparation for the 2016 football season with August Training Camp, LibertyFlames.com continues its position previews today with a look at the quarterbacks.
During today's LFSN video, Alan York talks with Joe Dailey, who assumed a new role during the offseason. Along with his quarterback coaching duties, Dailey now oversees Liberty's entire offensive effort as the program's new offensive coordinator.
Although they have not released their entire new offensive package, Dailey and Flames Head Football Coach Turner Gill have talked with the media about the Flames running a more up-tempo offense this year.
Along with implementing a new offensive game plan during the offseason, Dailey had to start working with a new starting quarterback for the first time in four years. Josh Woodrum graduated in 2015, finishing his four-year career as the program's all-time career leader in passing yards (10,266) and ranking second in touchdown passes (59).
However, Masha does not come into the season without his own personal success. As a redshirt freshman in 2014, Masha led the Flames to one of the most important wins in program history.
With Woodrum on the sidelines due to an injury, Masha completed 20-of-33 passing attempts for 285 yards and a touchdown during Liberty's upset win over No. 1 Coastal Carolina. The road victory secured the program's seventh Big South title and gave Liberty its first-ever trip to the NCAA FCS Playoffs.
Masha, one of three team captains on Liberty's roster in 2016, saw playing time in eight games during the 2015 season. The native of Marietta, Ga., was used in a variety of roles, finishing the year with passing yardage, rushing attempts and receptions.
Masha is the only quarterback on Liberty's roster with previous collegiate playing experience. Rudiger Yearick will have a leg up on fellow freshmen Stephen "Buckshot" Calvert and Spencer Jones. Yearick, a three-time all-state quarterback from Metrolina Christian Academy in Matthews, N.C., joined the Flames in January and was able to practice with the team during the spring.
Calvert impressed the coaching staff during his limited playing time under center during last Saturday's scrimmage. During his high school playing days at Miami Carol City High School in Miami Gardens Fla., Calvert threw for a combined 3,500 yards and 35 touchdowns as a junior and senior.
The final quarterback on Liberty's roster this year is Spencer Jones from Brentwood, Tenn. As a senior at Franklin Road Academy, Jones threw for 1,059 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 342 yards and seven additional touchdowns. He was a "Mr. Football" award finalist and earned all-district and all-state honors during his senior year.
August Training Camp Depth Chart – Quarterbacks
3 Stephon Masha (Jr., 6-1, 195)
13 Rudiger Yearick (Fr., 6-3, 195)
QB Reserves:
12 Stephen "Buckshot" Calvert (Fr., 6-2, 180)
16 Spencer Jones (Fr., 6-3, 185)
