Flames Predicted to Finish First in CUSA Preseason Football Poll

In preparation for next week's 2024 CUSA Football Kickoff and Media Day event, Conference USA has released the league's preseason poll and player watch list.

After finishing the 2023 season with an undefeated 8-0 record in conference play and defeating New Mexico State in the CUSA Football Championship game, Liberty has been predicted to repeat as conference champions.

The Flames garnered 18 of the possible 20 first-place votes in the 2024 CUSA Football Preseason Predicted Order of Finish. The preseason poll was voted upon by the league's head coaches and a select media panel.

Liberty received 197 total votes in the poll, finishing ahead of WKU (173 votes/two first place votes) and Jax State (166 votes). MTSU is ranked fourth in the poll with 98 votes, while reigning CUSA runner-up New Mexico State and Sam Houston were ranked tied for fifth with 97 votes.

In addition to releasing the CUSA Football Preseason Predicted Order of Finish, the conference office also released the 2024 CUSA Preseason Watch List.

The 50-member team is made up of five players from each of the 10 CUSA teams. Liberty's representatives on the watch list were quarterback Kaidon Salter, running back Quinton Cooley, offensive lineman Jordan White, defensive end CJ Bazile and wide receiver/kick return specialist Julian Gray.

Salter was the 2023 HERO Sports Group of Five National Player of the Year after throwing for 2,876 yards and 32 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,089 yards and 12 additional scores.

Salter received numerous honors from Conference USA during the Flames' inaugural season in the league. He was named the CUSA Most Valuable Player and was selected to the CUSA first-team all-conference listing. He was also a four-time CUSA Offensive Player of the Week.

Cooley, the CUSA Newcomer of the Year, led the conference in rushing and ranked No. 7 in the country with 1,401 rushing yards and No. 6 with 16 rushing touchdowns.

White started all 14 games in 2024 at center for the Flames and earned CUSA All-Conference second-team honors. He finished with a 72.1 offensive grade rankings (as listed by PFF.com) and ranked No. 13 in the country in total offensive snaps by a center (945).

Bazile was a CUSA All-Conference honorable mention selection after starting all 14 games at the Flames' Joker position (defensive end/outside linebacker). He recorded 49 tackles (20 solo, 29 assisted) and ranked No. 5 in CUSA with 10.5 tackles for a loss.

Gray is entering his first year with the Flames after transferring from NC State. The 2024 Phil Steele Preseason All-America fourth-team kick return specialist finished last year ranked No. 3 in the ACC and No. 11 in the country in kickoff returns (26.0 yards per return).

Salter and returning safety Quinton Reese will represent the Flames at next week's CUSA Football Kickoff and Media Day event on Tuesday in Frisco, Texas.

The pair of standout players, along with 2024 CUSA Co-Coach of the Year Jamey Chadwell, will take part in the media event, which will include media interviews, a press conference, an ESPN+ show and a live show on the Liberty Athletics social media channels.

2024 CUSA Football Preseason Predicted Order of Finish
School (first-place votes) - Total
1. Liberty (18) – 197
2. WKU (2) – 173
3. Jax State – 166
4. MTSU – 98
T5. NM State – 97
T5. Sam Houston – 97
7. LA Tech – 88
8. FIU – 81
9. UTEP – 76
10. Kennesaw State – 27

2024 Liberty Football Season Tickets Information
Season tickets for the 2024 Liberty Football season are on sale now! Starting at just $120, members of Flames Nation can secure their spot at Williams Stadium this fall to watch the Flames defend their CUSA conference title and earn their way into the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.

Liberty's exciting 2024 slate includes home games against AAC foe East Carolina (Sept. 21) and CUSA home games against UTEP (Sept. 14), FIU (Oct. 8), Jax State (Oct. 30) and WKU (Nov. 23).

You can purchase your 2024 Liberty Football season tickets now at www.LUFootball.com or call/text (434) 592-5015.

Schedule

Flames Predicted to Finish First in CUSA Preseason Football Poll

Players Mentioned

Quinton Cooley

Julian Gray

Quinton Reese

Kaidon Salter

Jordan White