Training Camp Position Preview: Safeties
8/17/2016 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 safeties.
During today's LFSN video, Alan York talks with defensive coordinator Robert Wimberly, who specifically oversees Liberty's safeties.
Some newer faces have emerged among the safeties group since the Flames walked off the Williams Stadium turf after a 24-21 win over No. 4 Coastal Carolina on Nov. 19, 2015.
As part of his February signing class at Liberty, Head Coach Turner Gill inked Solomon McGinty, a 6-2, 225-pound transfer from Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. During his final season at Tyler, McGinty recorded 57 tackles and earned all-conference honors.
McGinty, who worked out with the team in the spring, entered August Training Camp as Liberty's starter at the SPUR position. He is backed up by Rion Davis, who redshirted in 2015. Davis was a three-time all-state performer from A.C. Flora High School in Columbia, S.C., where he played both running back and safety.
The elder statesman among the safeties is senior Alpha Jalloh, who started all 11 games in 2015 at free safety. Jalloh has been moved to strong safety for his final collegiate campaign and will battle for playing time with sophomore Cam Jackson.
Jalloh has played in 25 games since transferring to Liberty in 2014, recording 66 career stops (44 solo, 22 assisted) and three interceptions. Cam Jackson played in all 11 games in 2015, gaining experience and finishing the year with 10 tackles (eight solo, two assisted).
Corbin Jackson and Elijah Benton will battle for the starting role at free safety. Corbin Jackson made an immediate impact on Liberty's roster in 2015, finishing the season ranked sixth on the team in total tackles with 47 stops (31 solo, 16 assisted). He was also third on the team with 6.5 tackles for a loss.
Benton, a graduate of Liberty Christian Academy, will be looking for his first collegiate playing time in 2016 after redshirting, last year. He did impress the coaching staff during the spring, earning the Samkon Gado Award for the most improved defensive player during spring workouts.
Benjamin Alexander, Ceneca Espinoza, Jr., and Brandon Tillmon will also be vying for playing times this year. Espinoza and Tillmon joined McGinty as part of the 2016 signing class announced in February.
Espinoza played both running back and defensive back at Washington & Lee High School in Arlington, Va. He was named Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.
Tillmon has versatility, as well, having excelled at both football and baseball at River Bluff High School in Lexington, S.C. The 6-1, 210-pound freshman is slated to play both sports at Liberty. He played both quarterback and linebacker his final three years of high school. On the baseball diamond, he was named the Region V AAAA Player of the Year as a junior.
August Training Camp Depth Chart – Safeties
SPUR
20 Solomon McGinty (Jr., 6-2, 225)
3 Rion Davis (R-Fr., 6-0, 185)
Strong Safety
14 Cam Jackson (So., 6-1, 185)
38 Alpha Jalloh (Sr., 6-1, 195)
Free Safety
28 Corbin Jackson (So., 6-0, 190)
31 Elijah Benton (R-Fr., 6-1, 185)
Safety Reserves:
43 Benjamin Alexander (Fr., 6-2, 175)
7 Ceneca Espinoza, Jr. (Fr., 6-1, 200)
12 Brandon Tillmon (Fr., 6-1, 210)
