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Thumbnail sketches of ECU's
Recruiting Class of 2008
Compiled by
Al Myatt
©2008 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
(BOLD BLUE
text indicates links to extended articles or features
by recruiting analyst Sammy Batten or other staff members.)
DAYON ARRINGTON
(6-3, 200) WR, Hargrave Military Academy ... Hometown is Silver Spring,
MD, but has been honing his skills on the prep level in Chatham, VA. ...
Played high school ball at Paint Branch High in Burtonsville, MD. ...
has the potential to give the Pirates a rangy receiver with courage and
guile. ... not blessed with great speed or acceleration but runs good
routes and gets separation with good cuts. ... not afraid to catch the
ball over the middle and can take hits while maintaining possession. ...
skills are such that he also can contribute on special teams. ...
31-inch vertical leap gives him ability to win jump balls with DB's. ...
missed five games as a sophomore due to ailments. ... Arrington had 40
catches for 914 yards and three touchdowns as a senior at Paint Branch.
He also had 11 rushes for 114 yards. ... The Hargrave program has
produced four first round NFL draft choices as well as current Pirates
Jamar Bryant, Marcus Hands, Khalif Mitchell and Brandon Setzer. [Posted
01.25.08]
C. J. BROWN (6-5, 295) OT,
Wilmington New Hanover ... visited ECU the weekend of Jan. 12 and
committed to a scholarship offer made about two weeks beforehand. ...
was scheduled to make an official visit to Georgia Tech at the time he
cast his lot with the Pirates. ... New Hanover teammate Nick Becton, a
6-6, 285-pound tackle, committed to Virginia Tech in December. ... Brown
was impressed with ECU's family atmosphere and was relieved to make his
recruiting decision. ... coached by Kevin Motsinger at New Hanover. ...
becomes the fourth offensive lineman to commit to ECU. [Posted 01.14.08]
MARQUAN BROWN
(5-8, 160) RB, Gray's
Creek (NC) High ... Top rusher in Cumberland County last season with
1,510 yards. Also scored 17 touchdowns in earning All Cape Fear Valley
3-A Conference honors. His 20 receptions also netted another 631 yards
for the Bears. Has rushed for more than 4,500 yards in three seasons.
... Coached by David Lovette at Gray's Creek. ... North Carolina and
N.C. State also showed recruiting interest. ... Fayetteville native
Junior Smith was the chief recruiter for Brown. Skip Holtz's burgeoning
reputation was also an influential factor in Brown's spring commitment.
... Brown was the second player to commit to the Pirates for the
February, 2008 signing class. [Posted
05.30.07] <Did not sign with
East Carolina>
MIKE BROWN (6-4,
230) TE, Reidsville, NC ... Three-year starter for coach Jimmy Teague at
Reidsville High School … Opened varsity career on the offensive line as
a sophomore before move to the tight end position during junior and
senior seasons … Helped lead Rams to a combined 29-2 record in 2006 and
2007, including a 16-0 state championship mark in the latter campaign …
Earned all-conference honors … Topped squad and conference in both
catches and touchdown receptions … Picked up a total of eight letters
(three football, three basketball, two track) during prep career …
Two-year starter in hoops and advanced to state track finals in discus
and shot put. [Posted 02.06.08; from ECU Media Relations]
JOSHUA CLARK (6-5, 255) OL, North
Gaston ... Coached by his dad, Bruce Clark, on the prep level. ...
Joshua's older brother, Justin, played for his dad and went on to play
quarterback at Western Carolina, wher he led the Catamounts in passing
in 2004 and 2005. ... Offered a scholarship from ECU on Nov. 8. ... Navy
and Vanderbilt also recruited Clark. ... Pirates offensive line coach
Steve Shankweiler initially contacted Joshua Clark as a junior. ECU head
coach Skip Holtz and tight ends coach Phil Petty also were involved in
developing a recruiting relationship. ... father and younger son were
impressed by the Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium atmosphere in ECU's 34-31 win
over North Carolina on Sept. 8. ... North Gaston went into the third
round of the state 3-A playoffs with a 10-2 record. ... Wildcats
quarterback A.J. Blue has scholarship offers from Illinois and UNC. ...
Joshua Clark has played on the North Gaston varsity since his sophomore
year. ... Joshua Clark is still growing and could get as big as 6-6,
300, according to his dad's projections. ... recruited as a guard or
center for the Pirates. [Posted 11.22.07]
ALLEN CROWDER (6-2,
260) DL, Mebane (Eastern Alamance) ... Selected as Mid-State
Conference’s MVP as a senior … Played for Coach John Kirby … Credited
with 102 tackles, eight sacks and four forced fumbles as a senior to
play key role in squad’s 9-3 record … Named to all-conference,
all-region and all-state squads in 2007 … Helped lead Eagles to 9-4 and
11-4 ledgers as sophomore and junior, earning all-conference and
all-region honors both seasons … Has produced a 405-pound bench press
and a 615-squat lift during program testing … Listed among North
Carolina’s top 40 recruits by SuperPrep Magazine … Earned three-star
rating by Rivals.com … Was selected to represent North Carolina and
participated in the 2007 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star Game …
Also recruited by South Carolina ... Full name is Allen Rex Crowder II …
Born November 18, 1989, at Mebane, NC … Would like to major in exercise
science. [Posted 02.06.08; from ECU Media Relations]
DALTON FAULDS 6-3,
285 (OL), Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (Nease) ... Rated as one of the top 25
offensive guard prospects nationally according to ESPN Insider … Topped
all Nease linemen in pancake (4.1 per game average) and downfield blocks
(7.3) as a senior … Part of Panther program that captured three
consecutive state titles … Ranked by Scout.com among top five guards
nationally in speed and agility tests (combine/40 time, shuttle and
three-cone) … Listed as one of the country’s top 100 offensive lineman
by Scout.com … Prep coach was Craig Howard … Played in same prep program
as current ECU offensive lineman Doug Polochak and Florida quarterback
Tim Tebow ... Full name is Christopher Dalton Faulds … Prefers to be
called by middle name … Born June 18, 1990, at Cincinnati, OH … Son of
John and Mary Faulds … Undecided on college major … Lists current
Jacksonville Jaguars’ quarterback David Garrard as favorite all-time
Pirate player … Hobbies include fishing and ping-pong. [Posted 02.06.08;
from ECU Media Relations]
ANTHONY GARNER (6-1, 295) DL, Siler
City (NC) Jordan-Matthews ... Sustained a broken leg in the fourth game
of his 2007 prep season but Pirates defensive backs coach Rick Smith
maintained contact with the player and ECU honored its scholarship
offer. ... although rehab is expected to take five to six months, Garner
is expected to make a full recovery. ... coached on the high school
level by Marty Scotten. ... has always had good speed for his size and
even played running back in middle school in short-yardage situations.
... became a varsity starter as a sophomore. ... earned All-Yadkin
Valley 1-A Conference recognition as a junior when he had 90 tackles, 23
of which were for losses, as well as 15 sacks for an 11-2 team. ... had
eight sacks and 11 tackles for loss in his senior season prior to the
injury. ... also has played basketball and tennis for the Jets. ... the
first lineman among ECU's first eight commitments for the February, 2008
signing class. [Posted 10.28.07]
GRANT HARNER (6-6,
300) OL, Jacksonville, FL (Bartram Trail) ... Played key role in leading
Bartram Trail High School to back-to-back district championships as a
junior and senior … Helped the Bears to regional title in 2007 … Earned
two football letters under Coach Darrell Sutherland … Also picked up two
letters as a standout golfer ... Full name is Grant Gregory Harner …
Born August 1, 1990, at Jacksonville, FL … Son of Greg and Margie Harner
… Plans to major in business with a minor in sports management or sports
medicine … Lists current Jacksonville Jaguars’ quarterback David Garrard
as all-time favorite Pirate player … Hobbies of choice are golf and
fishing … Always exceeded Pop Warner League size limitations as a child,
thus was not allowed to play at the developmental level. [Posted
02.06.08; from ECU Media Relations]
T. J. HARPER (6-2, 315) OL, Pearl
River (MS) Community College ... Due to enroll at ECU in January and
participate in spring drills. ... Coached by Tim Hatten at Pearl River.
... Hatten expresses a high regard for Harper's character and work
ethic. ... Harper visited ECU on Dec. 7 and signed a national letter on
Dec. 19, the first signing day for junior college transfers. ... Harper
has directed two short films, one a documentary on the dangers of
steroid use. ... film career opportunities were influential in his
choice of ECU, whose alumni include screenwriter Kevin Williamson and
actresses Emily Proctor and Sandra Bullock. ... All-State at Meridian
(MS) High School and a two-year starter at guard at Pearl River, where
he earned All Region 23 honors ... Received his only college offer from
Division II West Alabama out of high school. ... bench presses an
incredible 480 pounds and squats 600. ... worked part time at Pizza Hut
in junior college and paid for a car. [Posted 01.10.08]
JACOBI JENKINS (6-1, 170) Ath,
Rocky Mount (NC) Senior High ... Has played defensive back, wide
receiver, wingback and returned kicks for the Gryphons. ... Earned
all-state honors as a sophomore with nine interceptions. ... Rocky Mount
coach B.W. Holt said Jenkins covers the opposition's best receiver
defensively. ... second in the state 110-meter hurdles as a junior and
third in the 300. ... Holt said Jenkins has a 4.3-second time for 40
yards. ... Twice all-state, Jenkins has 14 career interceptions. ... He
made 46 tackles as a junior on defense and had 10 catches on offense for
176 yards and a touchdown. ... North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Wake
Forest had shown interest but ECU made the first offer. ... Jenkins
became the sixth player to commit to the Pirates for the February, 2008
signing class and is the fourth from Eastern North Carolina. [Posted
09.24.07]
ADRIAN JONES (5-10, 180) WR,
Scotland County ... The opportunity to play receiver at ECU was a
deciding factor in his college choice. ... Clemson, N.C. State and North
Carolina all offered Jones a scholarship to play cornerback. ...
Recruited by ECU running backs coach Junior Smith, becoming the tenth
known commitment to the Pirates for the February, 2008 signing class.
... A fracture in his right foot sustained on Oct. 19 against Richmond
County put him out for the remainder of the season. ... Dad Steve
Williams was a running back at Scotland County in the 1980s. ... The
versatile Jones played quarterback last season as a junior, passing for
1,050 yards and six touchdowns, while rushing for another 783 yards and
five more scores. ... has exceptional speed -- 4.4 seconds in the
40-yard dash and is the defending Mid-Southeastern 4-A Conference
champion in the 100- and 200-meter dashes. Jones’ best times in those
events are 10.59 in the 100 and 21.2 in the 200. ... Foot injury may
keep him out of track this spring. ... coached by Mark Barnes. ...
played running back, wide receiver and returned punts and kicks for the
Scots this season with 537 all-purpose yards in nine games. [Posted
11.29.07]
ROBERT JONES (6-3,
260) DL, Tucker, GA ... Enjoyed stellar prep career, contributing to a
Tucker High School program that rolled to a combined four-year record of
42-6 and picked up three region titles … Coach Franklin Stephens’ squad
was chosen as DeKalb County 2007 Team of the Year … Earned three
football letters … Played key role in Tigers’ 13-1 campaign as a senior
team captain, picking up all-county honors … Selected to play on the
DeKalb County All-Star Team ... Full name is Robert Roosevelt Jones …
Born April 19, 1990 at Lafayette, IN … Son of Robert and Jana Jones …
Indicates an interest to major in computer science (business minor) …
Active in scouting for the past nine years, earning a rank of Life after
meeting requirements for an Arrow of Light Badge at 15 … Father was a
defensive end at Purdue during the Boillermakers’ Peach Bowl (1978) and
Bluebonnet Bowl wins (1979) … Hobbies include chess and video games.
[Posted 02.06.08; from ECU Media Relations]
JOSH JORDAN (6-4 1/2, 200) QB, St.
Amant, LA ... originally committed to Iowa State but wasn't comfortable
with that decision and changed plans after an official visit to ECU. ...
served as a ball boy at Southwestern Louisiana where his dad, Jeff, was
on the coaching staff and got instruction from Carolina Panthers
quarterback Jake Delhomme, who was playing at the program now known as
Louisiana-Lafayette at the time. ... completed 142 of 254 passes for
1,809 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2007 as a senior at 5-A St. Amant,
including a 392-yard, seven-touchdown performance against St. Charles.
... his junior numbers included 102 completions in 209 attempts, 1,350
passing yards and 11 TDs. ... Jordan also rushed for 333 yards on 84
keepers in 2006. ... caught Iowa State's attention at a Nike combine at
TCU and verbally accepted a grant from the Cyclones in July. ...
Coincidentally, former ECU quarterback James Pinkney was headed to Iowa
State before making a late switch to the Pirates. ... Virginia and
Connecticut were getting involved in Jordan's recruitment when he made
his decision for the Pirates. ... Jordan received offers from
Louisiana-Monroe and Southeastern Louisiana. ... Family may move to the
Greenville area when Jordan enrolls at ECU. ... St. Almant offensive
coordinator David Oliver was on Tulane's staff with ECU defensive backs
coach Rick Smith, the connection that led to the Pirates' interest in
Jordan. [Posted 01.24.08]
MAX JOYNER (6-2,
180) S, Greenville (NC) Rose High ... had seven interceptions for a 16-0
Rampants team that won another state 4-A championship in 2006 ... was
sufficiently impressive in an East Carolina camp setting to receive a
scholarship offer, which he accepted in latter June. ... also played
some linebacker for Rose in addition to assignments in the secondary.
... projected as a safety for East Carolina. ... reportedly runs 40
yards in 4.5 seconds. ... the fourth commitment to the Pirates for the
February, 2008 signing class. [Posted 07.05.07]
LOGAN KUDLINSKI
(6-5, 265) OL, Orange Park, FL ... Two-year starter and three-year
letterman for Coach Ted Leasor’s Raiders at Orange Park High School …
Opened play on the defensive line as a junior before moving to offense
in 2007 … Earned all-conference honors on both sides of the ball and was
named to the All-Clay County squad as a senior … Selected to play in the
Jacksonville Shrine Bowl All-Star Game … Also lettered in track,
competing in the shot put and discus events … Captured conference title
in the discus … Did not play organized football until reaching the
school system ... Full name is Logan M. Kudlinski … Born July 25, 1990,
at Jacksonville, FL … Son of Alan and Ann Stuckey … Plans to major in
general business … Hobbies are swimming and metal music. [Posted
02.06.08; from ECU Media Relations]
RAHKEEM MORGAN
(6-2, 170) CB/QB, Asheville High ... Committed to East Carolina on Jan.
24 following a scholarship offer from the Pirates. ... Chose ECU over
Buffalo, Elon, Lenoir-Rhyne, Marshall and North Carolina A&T. ...
impressed by the atmosphere in Geenville and the tight knit nature of
the team during his official visit in January. ... Threw for a school
record 3,084 career yards, including 1,810 yards and 22 touchdowns with
six interceptions as a senior. Also ran for 1,173 yards and 12 scores.
... Despite those numbers, projects as a defensive player at ECU. ...
Coached by Danny Wilkins at Asheville. [Posted 02.02.08]
LEONARD PAULK (5-11, 180) DB,
Columbia (SC) Richland Northeast High ... ECU recruited Paulk's older
brother Rodney in 2005 but he opted to join the program at nearby South
Carolina. ... Leonard is a 2-year starter for Coach Jay Frye, who
compares him favorably with his brother. ... A cousin of the brothers,
Tim Paulk, was an All-SEC linebacker at Florida and was a seventh-round
draft choice of the Atlanta Falcons in 1991. ... Rodney was a second
team freshman All American (Sporting News) last year. ... Leonard made
75 tackles, had five pass break-ups and five fumble recoveries last
season. ... Through the first six games of 2007, Paulk had made 54
tackles and returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. ... ECU has
recruited Frye as a corner, according to Coach Frye. He is the fifth
defensive back to make a commitment to ECU for the February, 2008
signing class. [Posted 10.14.07]
DARIUS SPENCER
(5-10, 178) RB,
Asheville (NC) A.C. Reynolds High ... notified East Carolina coaches on
Tuesday, June 5 of his intentions to accept the offer of a football
scholarship. ... Recruiting analyst Sammy Batten noted that Spencer also
had offers from Marshall, N.C. State and North Carolina. ... Turned in
oustanding times of 4.32 and 4.33 seconds for 40 yards at a Shrine Bowl
combine in Asheville in April. ... Although he split time at tailback,
Spencer ran for over 1,100 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior last
season. ... Coached by Shane Laws at Reynolds. ... Started at cornerback
as a sophomore. ... Incoming ECU freshman tight end Will Towery, who
played at Reynolds and is a good friend of Spencer's, was influential in
Spencer selecting the Pirates, according to Laws. [Posted 06.06.07]
<Did not sign with East Carolina>
JUSTIN VENABLE (6-2 1/2, 190) S,
Southeast Guilford (NC) High ... intercepted a school record nine passes
and had 84 tackles for a Falcons team that went 10-4 and reached the
third round of the 3-AA playoffs in 2006. ... made the All Mid-Piedmont
3-A Conference team and the Greensboro News & Record's All-Guilford
County team ... made a verbal commitment to the Pirates on July 10 after
receiving a scholarship offer from Ohio and interest from N.C. State,
Wake Forest and Virginia. ... attended ECU's spring football game in
April and summer football camp in mid-June. ... did 40 yards in 4.38
seconds in a Shrine Bowl combine at Greene Central in April. ... coached
by Fritz Hessenthaler at Southeast Guilford. ... Venable played
linebacker as a sophomore. ... Also plays wide receiver on offense and
returns kicks. ... played shortstop and left field for Southeast
Guilford, hitting around .350 for a club that reached the state 3-A
championship series last year. ... plans to concentrate on football
initially at ECU. ... fifth known commitment to ECU's February, 2008
signing class, all of which are from in-state players. [Posted 07.24.07]
[View
12.13.07 Shrine Bowl feature on Venable.]
JOSEPH WOMACK (6-2, 185) QB,
Jacksonville (NC) Northside High ... First player to commit to ECU's
February, 2008 signing class. ... Three-year starter at quarterback and
a three-sport performer for the Monarchs. ... Coached by Bob Eason at
Northside. ... Committed to ECU shortly after Purple-Gold game on
April 14. ... Other programs expressing interest were Duke, North
Carolina and N.C. State. ... completed 55 of 124 passes for 934 yards
and 11 touchdowns as a junior in helping Northside to an 11-4 record.
Womack added 478 yards rushing on 126 carries for 10 TDs. ... could also
play wide receiver or defensive back for the Pirates. [Posted 05.30.07;
edited 10.13.07]. [View
12.13.07 Shrine Bowl feature on Womack.]
Copyright 2008 Bonesville.net.
All rights reserved. Compiled from
Bonesville.net staff reports and other sources. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or
redistributed without specific written permission, and then only in
accordance with the terms and restrictions of that permission.
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