Top Performers: Liberty Magnet loaded in first varsity season

Liberty Magnet has staked immediate claims for recognition and respect on a statewide level in just its first year as a varsity program. The former Lee High reopened in 2016 in an impressive new campus after seven years dormant and initially did not have a football program among its new athletics department. But, during the next two years, the school rebranded to its new name and also decided to bring back the sport at the junior varsity level in 2019 and 2020 and then varsity this fall. A talented Patriots roster, led by a star-studded junior class, has proven worth the wait and hype with seven straight wins to start the season to battle its way right into the thick of its district race and spend the past three weeks in the LSWA’s statewide Class 4A top 10. Here are 10 of the long list of names to know <strong>Keith Beverly (2022)</strong> <strong>6-2, 210 OL</strong> The left tackle helps pave the way for a heavy portion of Liberty’s impressive rushing attack with his quick explosion off the ball and upfield to put defenders on skates and out of the play. <strong>Brandon Davis (2022)</strong> <strong>5-8, 160 WR</strong> A quick perimeter weapon that can help stretch the field vertically, wreak havoc on crossing routes or take quick screens, make defenders miss and rack up yards after the catch. <strong>Darrion Dunn (2022)</strong> <strong>6-2, 270 OL</strong> Another senior offensive lineman, the Patriots’ center quickly engages interior defenders off the snap and helps create running room inside or in smooth, effective pulls to provide an extra blocker and momentum to the perimeter. <strong>Gabriel Ware (2022)</strong> <strong>DL</strong> One of the seniors on the other side of the ball, the nose tackle helps lead the charge in the middle of the Liberty defense. Ware is a big, but quick body able to shoot, fill and blow up gaps and disrupt opposing offenses. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138493" first="Khylan" last="Gross"] (2023)</strong> <strong>6-2, 170 QB</strong> The long-limbed passer with the quick release provides the balance to his backfield mate with his abilities to confidently navigate the pocket — under pressure when necessary — and spread the ball around, including deep vertically, with a flick. And Gross shows can make plays on the run, keeping his eyes down field and finding receivers coming free or tucking and running when necessary. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138466" first="Kaleb" last="Jackson"] (2023)</strong> <strong>5-11, 205 RB</strong> The clear headliner of the talented bunch, Jackson received scholarship offers from LSU, Florida State, TCU and Baylor before the team ever opened its first varsity season. And he has lived up to, if not exceeded, expectations as one of Louisiana’s top running backs on Friday nights. <strong>Lester Jones (2023)</strong> <strong>6-2, 225</strong> The four most well-known names entering the season were probably Gross and Jackson above and [player_tooltip player_id="138284" first="Richard" last="McKneely"] and [player_tooltip player_id="138356" first="Jordan" last="Okoye"] below. But Okoye’s partner-in-crime in the defensive front seven quickly catches the eye with his big, strong frame before the game even kicks off. And he is a consistent handful of pressure up front for opposing offensive lines to keep out of the backfield. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138284" first="Richard" last="McKneely"] (2023)</strong> <strong>5-11, 175 ATH</strong> The speedy athlete — with a 4.6-second 40-yard dash as an underclassman, quick feet and good strength and balance — is a three-phase playmaker for the Patriots as a slot back or receiver, safety, returner or other special teams ace. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138356" first="Jordan" last="Okoye"] (2023)</strong> <strong>6-1, 230 LB</strong> The big, physical linebacker gets downfield with determination, into the backfield in a hurry or, when necessary, to the perimeter in pursuit with little wasted motion and strongly shedding blockers in his path. <strong>Cody Rucker Jr. (2023)</strong> <strong>6-3, 180 WR</strong> The tall, more prototypically framed wide receiver is another great weapon for Gross to stretch defenses for big plays vertically.