Football Training Camp Profile: Desmond Rice
8/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Throughout Liberty's August training camp, the Liberty Flames Sports Network (LFSN) will provide a series of player features, continuing today with senior running back Desmond Rice.
Rice was forced to use his talents off the playing field during the 2014 season. He served more as a student coach during Liberty's Big South championship season and the team's second round NCAA FCS Playoffs run.
During the practice following Liberty's 2014 spring football game, Rice suffered a knee injury that required surgery and rehab that lasted throughout the 2014 season. However, his leadership skills allowed him to take D.J. Abnar under his wing and Rice's replacement had one of the best running back seasons in program history.
In 2013, Rice earned All-Big South second-team honors after a career year in which he rushed for 967 yards and 16 touchdowns. He ranked second in the Big South in yards per rush (5.2) and his 16 rushing touchdowns were the second-highest single-season total in Liberty's program history.
With Rice's return, Liberty has a pair of experienced running backs in the backfield. In Rice's absence in 2014, Abnar led Liberty by rushing for 1,289 yards and 15 touchdowns. He became a durable option for offensive coordinator Aaron Stamn' offense, carrying the ball 292 times which was the second most carries by a Liberty running back in program history.
Practice Update:
Following their off campus scrimmage on Saturday, Liberty held a lighter 30-minute workout with a special teams focus on Sunday afternoon. The Flames will hold their next four practices during the morning before Friday's annual President's Kickoff event and Saturday's Flames Fan Fest.
LibertyFlames.com's coverage of the Flames' August training camp continues tomorrow when the website visits with junior tight end Kendall Couamin and previews the offensive line.
