Kiper's NFL draft notebook: Sleepers, risers and the season's biggest surprises so far
Liberty quarterback Malik Willis looks even better, and these transfers are moving up draft boards. Mel Kiper looks ahead to next April's draft.
2021 Schedule
2021 Schedule
3-0
Willis accounts for 6 TDs, Liberty routs Old Dominion, 45-17
— Malik Willis threw for four touchdowns and ran for two more as Liberty shut out Old Dominion in the second half to earn a 45-17 in a non-conference game Saturday.
Old Dominion Monarchs vs. Liberty Flames: Full Highlights (1:47)
Sean Tucker's 5 TDs, tough defense lead Syracuse over Albany
— The Syracuse defense yielded just 135 yards and sacked Albany quarterbacks eight times but it was running back Sean Tucker who stole the show.
Liberty Flames vs. Troy Trojans: Full Highlights (1:46)
Willis accounts for 3 TDs, leads Liberty over Troy 21-13
— Malik Willis threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead Liberty to a 21-13 victory over Troy on Saturday night.
Touchdown! Demario Douglas scores vs. Troy Trojans (0:08)
Willis leads Liberty to 48-7 victory over Campbell in opener
— Malik Willis threw for a touchdown and ran for another, and Liberty opened the season with a 48-7 victory over Campbell on Saturday night.
End Zone! Johnathan Bennett scores 2-yard Rushing touchdown vs. Campbell Fighting Camels (0:17)
Kiper and McShay's NFL draft primer for the college football season: Players and teams to watch
Could a non-quarterback be the No. 1 pick? Which under-the-radar prospects could rise? Mel and Todd preview the season.
Kiper's new Big Board for the 2022 NFL draft: My favorite prospects and best at every position
How good is this quarterback class, and is there a clear top edge rusher? Mel Kiper updates his rankings ahead of the college football season.
Watchability rankings: Which are college football's most exciting teams?
They may not all be the best, but these will be the teams you can't turn away from this year -- dynamic personalities, explosive players and more.
'I can't believe he just did that': The rise of Liberty's Malik Willis
From riding the bench at Auburn to becoming a potential top-10 NFL draft pick with Liberty and Hugh Freeze, Malik Willis has burst onto the scene as a game-changing quarterback.
Who could be the next out-of-nowhere QB to rocket up NFL draft boards?
Since the 2016 NFL draft, six quarterbacks from non-Power 5 programs have been selected in the first round, including two from FCS power North Dakota State (Carson Wentz, Trey Lance). Who could be next? Here are a handful of options.
College football's top 50 Swiss army knives: The most versatile players for 2021
Looking for a top running back who is also a big-time receiving threat? A pass-rusher who can stuff the run? What about a punter-turned-tight end? You've come to the right place.
Bill Connelly's mega offseason previews: Notre Dame and independents
Can the Irish rebound from a pair of blowouts at the end of 2020? What's in store for Malik Willis and Liberty? Let's break down where things stand for all the FBS independents heading into the 2021 season.
Kiper's 2022 NFL draft rankings: Top 25 prospects overall, plus the best at every position
Mel Kiper's first look at the Class of 2022 includes a pass-rusher at the top and three quarterbacks in the top 25.
McShay's early 2022 NFL mock draft: Who could land top prospects, including five QBs?
Who could go in Round 1 next April? Which quarterbacks are preliminary first-round candidates? Todd McShay offers his way-too-early 2022 NFL mock draft.
Everything you need to know about next year's top NFL draft QB prospects
Five quarterbacks were picked in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. Who are the sure bets, up-and-comers and sleepers for 2022?
The best NFL draft sleeper picks from each Top 25 college football team
From third-round quarterbacks like Russell Wilson and Joe Montana to tight ends Travis Kelce and George Kittle, here's a look at the best draft sleeper (third round or later) for each team in the Way-Too-Early Top 25.
The most intriguing 2022 NFL draft prospects from each Top 25 college football team
With the NFL draft just days away, here's a look at the top 2022 prospects from each school in the Way-Too-Early Top 25.
Crowning a 2021 champion in college football's 64-team playoff
After the field narrowed to 16 teams yesterday, it's time to anoint a champion of the 64-team college football tournament.
What a 64-team college football tournament would look like in 2021
With the NCAA tournament finally here, we take our yearly look at how a 64-team college football tournament would play out.
College football's most intriguing newcomer for each Way-Too-Early Top 25 team
From blue-chip recruits to impact transfers to new coaches, these are the fresh faces who could make a big difference in 2021.
Preseason SP+ projections: Ranking all 130 FBS teams
Bill Connelly breaks down his yearly SP+ projections and sees how they line up with the Way-Too-Early 2021 Top 25.
Find Tickets
- Liberty @ Syracuse OrangeCarrier Dome -Tickets as low as $5
- Buy Liberty tickets with VividSeats
- Other Games
2021 FBS Indep. Standings
| TEAM | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Army | 0-0 | 3-0 |
| BYU | 0-0 | 3-0 |
| Liberty | 0-0 | 3-0 |
| Notre Dame | 0-0 | 3-0 |
| New Mexico State | 0-0 | 1-3 |
| UMass | 0-0 | 0-3 |
| UConn | 0-0 | 0-4 |
2021 Team Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards238.363rd
Rushing Yards195.036th
Points For38.0Tied-60th
Points Against12.3119th
2022 Recruits
| NAME | POS | STATUS | GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Markel Fortenberry | WR | Committed | 77 |
| Claudel Bazile | DE | Committed | 75 |
| Jordan Norwood | OLB | Committed | 74 |
| Dexter Ricks | CB | Committed | 74 |
| Teigan Martin | TE-Y | Committed | 74 |