Ryan Burger News, Rumors, Updates - Liberty Flames | FOX Sports

Will medically retire Burger will medically retire from football due to concussions, Jon Manson of A Sea of Red reports.

Impact In one fell swoop, Burger went from a promising 2025 quarterback to an unavailable option. Previous concussions resulted in a recent setback that prevented his Week 1 availability. Burger's focus will shift to coaching after three seasons between Appalachian State and Liberty, for which he logged a combined 205 passing yards and two all-purpose touchdowns.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Not in uniform for Week 1 Burger was not spotted in uniform for the Week 1 matchup against Maine on Saturday, ASeaofRed.com reports.

Impact It's unclear if Burger, who lost the quarterback battle to Ethan Vasko, is dealing with an injury, but he won't be available for this Week 1 matchup. This means Michael Merdinger should operate as Vasko's backup against Maine.

AUGUST 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Liberty football names Ethan Vasko as its starting quarterback The Coastal Carolina transfer edged out returnee Ryan Burger and others to start against Maine on Aug. 30.

AUGUST 28, 2025 • ROANOKE.COM

Backup for season opener Burger will come off the bench for Liberty's season opener against Maine, per Pete Thamel of ESPN.com.

Impact Burger was previously listed as a co-starter along with fellow quarterback Ethan Vasko but will start the season in a backup role as Vasko has been named the starter for the team's season opener. Burger appeared in five games for the Flames in 2024, throwing for 88 scoreless yards on 19 attempts along with 70 yards and a score on the ground.

AUGUST 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Co-starter at QB Burger is listed as a co-starter at quarterback alongside Ethan Vasko, per Bryson Gordon of NewsAdvance.com.

Impact Burger has been battling Vasko for the QB1 gig all offseason. Last fall with Liberty, he saw limited action, completing 8-of-19 passes for 88 yards while also collecting 70 rushing yards and a score. The Coastal Carolina transfer Vasko is far more experienced, but the Flames have chosen not to reveal their starter ahead of Week 1.

AUGUST 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Battling for starting role Burger (undisclosed) is in a two-man competition for the starting role under center along with Ethan Vasko, A Sea of Red reports.

Impact Head coach Jamey Chadwell revealed he has narrowed the race for the starting role under center to two players -- Vasko and Burger. Burger has the advantage over Vasko in that he knows the system since he was part of the Liberty roster in 2024. He was limited to five appearances as Kaidon Salter's backup, though. But the fact that he knows the playbook inside out could give him a slight edge.

AUGUST 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive for spring game Burger (undisclosed) did not appear in Liberty's spring game, Bryson Gordon of NewsAdvance.com reports.

Impact Burger is dealing with an undisclosed injury that held the quarterback out of the Flames' spring game. The 6-foot-4 sophomore quarterback, who transferred in from App State ahead of the 2024-25 season, threw for 40 yards (4-of-12), adding on 11 carries for 57 yards and two lost fumbles, during his lone high utilization game last season (Bahamas Bowl).

MARCH 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in bowl game loss Burger completed 4-of-12 passes for 40 yards, adding on 11 carries for 57 yards and two lost fumbles during Saturday's 26-7 loss against Buffalo.

Impact Burger was ultimately benched for Nate Hampton in the Bahamas Bowl, who has since transferred to Gardner-Webb. The 6-foot-4 redshirt sophomore transfer from Appalachian State, closed out the 2024-25 season with 88 passing yards (8-of-19), along with 17 carries for 70 yards and a score. As it stands, Burger is the most accomplished member of Liberty's remaining quarterback room, but it is likely the Flames will bring in more names to compete with him for the 2025-26 starting spot under center.

JANUARY 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Starting in Bahamas Bowl Burger (concussion) will start for Liberty in the Bahamas Bowl against Buffalo, ASeaofRed.com reports.

Impact Burger was in the concussion protocol ahead of Liberty's clash with Buffalo, so his status was uncertain leading up to the bowl game. However, he's set to play and make his first collegiate start. The former App State Mountaineer completed 4 of 7 passes for 48 yards across four games this season.

JANUARY 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

In concussion protocol Burger is in the concussion protocol and hasn't practiced throughout the week, so his status for the Jan. 4 game against Buffalo is uncertain, according to ASeaofRed.com.

Impact There are roughly three weeks left before this matchup, so Burger will have enough time to recover and start under center. However, and in the meantime, Nate Hampton, who's in the transfer portal, has been earning most of the reps in practice and could start if Burger is out. Burger, a sophomore, made just four starts for Liberty in 2024, completing four of seven passes. He's expected to get the start for the Bahamas Bowl since Kaidon Salter elected to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 2.

DECEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Participates in spring game Burger (finger) participated in Liberty's spring game Saturday, according to the team's website.

Impact Burger participating in Liberty's spring game indicates his finger has healed, a long-awaited development after he sat out almost all of 2023 to recover. That year, he entered it as one of two contenders to be Liberty's primary quarterback. However, Burger's finger injury allowed Kaidon Salter to take the position and excel in his opportunities. The gap to being Liberty's primary QB will now be a much more daunting task for Burger going into 2024.

MARCH 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE