ECU Football Recruiting Class of 2017

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TAIJH ALSTON (6-5, 225), DE, Union Pines High School, Cameron ... Alston was at East Carolina for the Purple-Gold Spring game and committed on April 16. ... He is regarded as an explosive player with 17 tackles for loss as a junior for a 6-6 Vikings team coached by Ryan Riggan. ... Alston also had offers from Appalachian State, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Miami of Ohio and N.C. State. ... Also showing interest were North Carolina, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Virginia and Wake Forest. ... Rated a three-star recruit, Alston had 46 solo tackles in 2015 and 53 assists. ... Credited with 10 sacks as a junior. ... One evaluator said Alston takes good angles to the ball and has speed. ... Regarded as the No. 2 defensive end prospect in his class in North Carolina. [Listed 04.18.16] (Image source: 247sports.com)

JAYDEN BORDERS (5-11, 170) WR, Shelby ... Borders is from ECU coach Scottie Montgomery's home area. ... He committed to the Pirates on June 22. ... ECU special teams coordinator Shannon Moore is listed as the primary recruiter with wide receivers coach Phil McGeoghan in a support role. ... Borders had offers from Appalachian State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Miami of Ohio and Ohio. ... Clemson, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia Tech had shown recruiting interest. ... Borders helped the Golden Lions, coached by Lance Ware, to a 15-1 record in 2015. ... Shelby topped Kinston 57-21 for the NCHSAA 2-A championship. ... Borders had 93 catches for 1,732 yards and 26 touchdowns last season. ... He averaged 25.0 yards on three kickoff returns and 11.0 yards on four punt returns. [Listed 06.22.16] (Image source: 247sports.com)

MARCUS HOLTON (6-1, 170) CB, Georgia Military College ... East Carolina received a commitment from Holton on June 25 after he had received offers from Marshall and Wisconsin. ... Pirates secondary coach Rick Smith was the primary recruiter. ... Smith, who became assistant head coach for the Pirates earlier this year, is a Florida State graduate. ... Holton went to high school in the shadow of FSU, at Tallahassee Godby, helping the Cougars to a 12-3 record and Florida 5-A runner-up status in 2014. ... As a senior for the Cougars, coached by Todd Lanter, Holton had 31 solo tackles and six assists. ... He had four interceptions, 11 pass deflections, three fumble recoveries, caused two fumbles and blocked a punt in 13 games for Godby as a senior. ... As a freshman at Georgia Military last season, Holton played in seven games for an 8-4 Bulldogs team, coached by Bert Williams. ... Holton had 15 solo stops and three assists. ... He had two interceptions, returning one for a score. ... Iowa Western topped Georgia Military 20-6 in the Graphic Edge Bowl in Cedar Rapids, IA. ... Holton had a 10-yard interception return in the bowl game and two pass break-ups. ... He had two solo tackles in the postseason contest and one assist. [Listed 06.25.16] (Image source: 247sports.com)

JERRY HOWARD (6-0, 210) RB, Rock Hill, SC, Northwestern High School ... Howard committed to the Pirates on June 21. ... Howard played for a Trojans team that went 14-1, rolling to the state 4-A championship after a 40-31 season-opening loss to Byrnes. ... Northwestern defeated Lexington 63-13 in the state final as Howard ran 16 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns. ... He also caught a pass for an 11-yard score in the title game at Lexington. ... For the season, Howard ran 199 times for 1,570 yards with 19 touchdowns. ... He had 39 catches for 388 yards with six TDs. ... Offensive coordinator Tony Petersen was the primary recruiter for Howard with running backs coach Antonio King in a secondary role. ... Howard had offers from Air Force, Appalachian State, Army, Charleston Southern, Charlotte, Colorado State, Gardner-Webb, Georgia Southern, Marshall, Miami of Ohio, Navy, Old Dominion, Towson and Western Kentucky. [Listed 06.22.16] (Image source: 247sports.com)

KINGSLEY IFEDI (6-3, 215) QB, Charlotte Vance ... Ifedi committed to East Carolina on May 21. ... Two of his older brothers, Casey and Jamime, attended ECU. ... Casey walked on at linebacker with the Pirates. ... Ifedi had offers from Appalachian State, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Colorado State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Harvard, Pittsburgh and Yale. ... Programs showing interest included Duke, Minnesota, N.C. State, Tennessee and Wake Forest. ... Ifedi is a run-pass threat. ... He threw for 3,213 yards and 30 touchdowns as a junior while running for 800 yards with 14 scores. ... Vance, which produced former Pirates quarterback Paul Troth, went 6-6 in 2015. ... ECU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tony Petersen was the primary recruiter for Ifedi. [Listed 05.27.16] (Image source: scout.com)

DASHAUN JOHNSON (6-4, 200) WR/S, East Carteret High School, Beaufort, NC ... The first commitment for East Carolina's 2017 signing class. ... Johnson committed to the Pirates on March 7, 2016 after receiving an offer Nov. 10, 2015. ... His primary recruiter was ECU wide receivers coach Phil McGeoghan. ... Johnson also received offers from Charlotte and Old Dominion. ... Among those showing recruiting interest were Boston College, Mississippi State, N.C. State, North Carolina, Virginia and Wake Forest. ... He is rated a three-star recruit. ... Johnson had 85 catches for 1,493 yards and eight touchdowns for an 11-3 team coached by Caleb King in 2015. ... He also had 66 tackles and four interceptions as a safety for the Mariners. ... He is projected as a receiver on the college level. ... Johnson helped East Carteret to the fourth round of the NCHSAA 1-A playoffs during the 2015-16 basketball season, averaging 13.8 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.9 blocked shots. ... The Mariners hoops team, coached by Billy Anderson, went 26-3. [Listed 03.08.16] (Image source: facebook.com)

CONNOR MILLS (6-3, 290) OG, Buford, GA. ... ECU offensive line coach Geep Wade recruited Mills, who is a high school teammate of previous 2017 ECU commit, quarterback Mic Roof. ... Mills committed to the Pirates on June 8 after receiving offers from Charleston Southern, Charlotte, Elon, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Mercer, Middle Tennessee, Navy Ohio, Samford, Southern Miss, Troy, Tulane and Western Carolina. ... Also showing interest were Coastal Carolina and Western Kentucky. ... The Buford Wolves, coached by Jess Simpson, were 13-2 last year, falling 10-0 to Cartersville in the state 4-A final.... Mills attended Junior Day at ECU on April 9. ... Mills became the second offensive lineman to join the Pirates, following center John Spellacy of Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius. [Listed 06.15.16; updated 06.22.16] (Image source: 247sports.com)

MATT MORGAN (6-5, 260), OT, Corinth Holders High School, Wendell ... Morgan helped the Pirates of Corinth Holders, who wear purple and gold, ... Morgan also received an offer from Charlotte. ... He was recruited by ECU offensive line coach Geep Wade. ... Morgan helped Corinth Holders to a 9-3 record in 2015. ... The CH Pirates are coached by Guy "Bubba" Williams, a former snapped at ECU. ... Williams dad, Chipper, also is a former ECU gridder and noted high school football coach. ... Morgan also played some defense for Corinth Holders last season, recording seven sacks for a total of 40 yards. ... He had seven solo tackles and 11 assists in seven games. ... He is projected as an offensive lineman at ECU. ... Morgan committed to ECU during an elite camp on June 10. ... ... He became the third offensive lineman in the 2017 incoming class. [Listed 06.22.16] (Image source: rivals.com)

JA-QUANE NELSON (6-3, 260) DE, High Point Central ... Nelson committed to East Carolina on July 28 after also receiving offers from Charlotte, Hampton and Murray State. ... Pirates secondary coach Rick Smith and defensive line coach Deke Adams were involved in recruiting Nelson. ... Among programs showing interest were Appalachian State, Charleston Southern, Clemson, Coastal Carolina, Elon, Maryland, N.C. State, North Carolina, N.C. A&T, Purdue, Wake Forest and Western Carolina. ... Nelson is rated as a three-star recruit and the No. 42 prospect in the state in the class of 2017. ... The High Point Central Bison, coached by Wayne Jones, were 5-7 overall in 2015 and went 3-2 in the Piedmont Triad 4-A Conference, losing 35-28 in the first round of the playoffs at South Caldwell. ... Nelson had 19 solo tackles and 14 assists from his defensive end position as a junior. ... He had nine sacks for 47 yards in losses in 2015. [Listed 08.01.16] (Image source: 247sports.com)

DARIUS PINNIX (6-2, 225) RB, Western Alamance ... Pinnix is listed as an athlete, defensive end and quarterback on the Warriors' roster for his senior year although he is projected as a running back for the Pirates. ... Pinnix ran for 871 yards on 109 carries last season with 12 touchdowns. ... He had 70 catches for 1,288 yards with eight scores. ... Pinnix also returned a pair of kickoffs for a total of 98 yards, including a 65-yard return in a 47-0 win over Northeast Guilford. ... Western Alamance went 9-3 overall under coach Jeff Snuffer in 2015. ... The Warriors were 7-1 in the Mid-State 3-A Conference. ... The team had a four-game winning streak stopped with a 28-27 first-round playoff loss to Morehead. ... Pinnix has run 40 yards in 4.62 seconds. ... He had 13 solo tackles and two sacks last season. ... Inside linebackers coach Ryan Anderson handled his recruiting for ECU. ... Pinnix was offered by ECU on July 23 and committed on July 27. ... He selected the Pirates over offers from Appalachian State, Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina, East Tennessee State, Elon, Furman, Richmond, Virginia, Wake Forest and William & Mary. ... Also showing interest were Duke, Miami of Ohio, N.C. State, North Carolina and Vanderbilt. [Listed 08.01.16] (Image source: 247sports.com)

BLAKE PROEHL (6-1, 170) WR, Charlotte Providence High School ... ECU offensive coordinator Tony Petersen reeled in the son of former Carolina Panthers receiver Ricky Proehl with assistance from wide receivers coach Phil McGeoghan ... Proehl's brother, Austin, plays at North Carolina. ... Proehl committed to the Pirates on June 22. ... He received offers from Appalachian State, Charlotte, Elon, Florida International and Georgia State. ... Also showing interest were Air Force, Coastal Carolina, Duke, Furman, Liberty, Maryland, UNC-Chapel Hill, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. ... The Pirates offered Proehl when he attended a camp at ECU on June 5. ... Providence was 5-7 overall last season and 4-3 in the South Mecklenburg 8 4-A Conference, which also produced 4-A state champion Charlotte Catholic. ... The Panthers are coached by Brad Bowles. ... Proehl had team highs in catches (22) receiving yards (336) and receiving touchdowns (2) in 2015. [Listed 06.22.16] (Image source: scout.com)

MIC ROOF (6-2, 180) QB, Buford, GA ... A twin son of former Duke coach Ted Roof. ... The elder Roof guided the Blue Devils from 2003 to 2007 and is currently defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech. ... A pro-style quarterback, Roof committed to ECU on May 20. ... He completed 109 of 164 passes for 1,507 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior. ... He had received an offer from ECU in January. ... Roof selected the Pirates over offers from Charlotte, Miami of Ohio and Troy. ... The Wolves were 13-2 in 2015, losing 10-0 to Cartersville for the Georgia 4-A state championship. ... Buford has won 11 state titles since 1978, the most recent in 2014. ... ECU offensive line coach Geep Wade was listed as the primary recruiter for Wade with offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tony Petersen in a support role. [Listed 05.27.16] (Image source: 247sports.com)

JOHN SPELLACY (6-1, 280) C, St. Ignatius High School, Cleveland, OH. ... Spellacy, a co-captain of the Wildcats, committed to the Pirates on April 23 during a campus visit the same weekend. ... He also received offers from Army and North Carolina Central. ... East Carolina offensive line coach Geep Wade was his primary recruiter. ... Also showing interest in Spellacy were Ball State, Bowling Green, Duke, Eastern Michigan, Georgia State, Illinois, Marshall, Navy, Purdue, Richmond and Syracuse. ... Spellacy developed in the St. Ignatius program coached by Charles Kyle. ... The Wildcats were 5-4 in 2015. ... Rated a three-star prospect. [Listed 05.05.16] (Image source: 247sports.com)

MYDREON VINES (6-0, 170) WR, Greenville Rose ... The hometown product cast his lot with the Pirates on June 17. ... Vines helped the Rampants to a 12-3 record and the Eastern 4-A championship in 2015. ... Rose is coached by David Wojtecki. ... Vines had 41 catches for 645 yards and seven touchdowns last season. ... The Rampants produced 4,056 yards passing and had 2,837 yards rushing. ... Vines contributed 12 carries for 105 yards and two TDs on the ground. ... His longest pass reception covered 50 yards and his longest run was 25 yards. ... Vines had two catches for 41 yards in a 61-21 win at 3-A state champion Rocky Mount. ... He also had a 24-yard scoring run against the Gryphons. ... Appalachian State, Charleston Southern and North Carolina Central made offers to Vines. ... He was recruited primarily by ECU defensive coordinator Kenwick Thompson and Pirates wide receivers coach Phil McGeoghan. ... Vines received an offer from ECU on June 13, made an unofficial visit on June 16 and committed the following day. [Listed 06.22.16] (Image source: 247sports.com)

MYLES WHITE (6-1, 175), CB, Dudley High School, Greensboro ... White visited campus for the spring football game and committed to East Carolina thereafter. ... An athlete with diverse skills, White also played receiver in football and was on a Panthers basketball team that went 18-8 in 2015-16. ... Dudley went 13-2 in football under coach Stephen Davis in 2015 and reached the fourth round of the 4-A playoffs before losing 17-8 to eventual champion Charlotte Catholic. ... White had 35 solo tackles, 31 assists, three interceptions and 12 pass deflections as a junior. ... He punted five times for a 37-yard average with a longest of 47 yards. ... White was interested in ECU's facilities and likes the Pirates' swagger. ... He feels the program is on the rise and appreciates the supportive fan base, according to Scout.com. [Listed 04.18.16] (Image source: scout.com)

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