Bonesville: The Authoritative Independent Voice of East Carolina

News & Features from ECU, the AAC and Beyond

  • Home
  • News & Features
  • Recruiting
  • Photos
  • Audio
  • Roundup
  • Comments
  • Legacy Archives

• ECU 2021-22 Hoops Schedule
• ECU 2022 Baseball Schedule
• ECU 2022 Football Schedule
• Recruiting: Football • Hoops

Insights from Brett
Big day looms for FBS’s most prodigious receiver

March 30, 2017 By Brett Friedlander Leave a Comment

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Zay Jones (7), head coach Scottie Montgomery (left) and Justin Hardy (right) pose for pictures after Jones was recognized for his record-breaking career during a break in action against Navy on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. (Bonesville Staff)

The highest any player from East Carolina has ever been taken in the NFL draft is 24th overall. It’s happened twice, linebacker Robert Jones in 1992 and running back Chris Johnson in 2008.

The way Zay Jones’ name has been catapulting up the draft board in recent weeks, that record is about to be broken.

Despite breaking the FBS single-season and career receiving records in his final college season last fall, the now former Pirate was projected as a second- or third-round selection by most of the major draft “experts.”

Then he went to the Senior Bowl, where he followed up a strong week of practice by catching a game-high six passes for 68 yards and a touchdown while showing the scouts on hand that he was more than just a “program receiver.”

A month later in Indianapolis, Jones dispelled another knock against him by posting a 4.45 40-yard dash, one of the fastest among the wide receiver candidates on hand. By the time he reinforced that performance with another strong effort at ECU’s Pro Day last week, Jones’ stock had officially risen to first-round status.

Perhaps even higher than 24th, the standard his father set a quarter century ago.

“It would mean the world,” Jones said after his impressive Pro Day showing. “It would be great  for the program. Everybody watches the draft. I don’t know a football fan who doesn’t watch the draft, so to have Pirate Nation to see me would be phenomenal. There’s something a little extra special about Round One.”

Jones caught 158 catches last season and finished his career with 399 grabs, breaking the NCAA mark set two years earlier by former Pirates teammate and current Atlanta Falcon Justin Hardy.

But the physical attributes he showed both on the field during games and in his workouts in front of representatives of all 32 NFL teams are only part of the reason why Jones could potentially be the first player at his position selected, according to ECU coach Scottie Montgomery — a former NFL wide receiver himself.

“The intangibles, the type of person he is, you connect all that with great hands.” Montgomery said. “And that’s what a National Football League receiver who plays for a long time looks like.”

While Jones is certain to have his name called on April 27 in Philadelphia, he was only one of 15 former Pirate stars trying to impress the scouts with their skills in the 40, the vertical jump, broad jump, bench press and specific positional workouts.

The others were defensive backs DaShaun Amos and DaShawn Benton, defensive linemen Demetri McGill and Fred Presley, linebackers Dayon Pratt and Terrell Richardson, quarterback Philip Nelson, offensive linemen J.T. Boyd and Will Dancy, wide receiver Brandon Bishop, tight end Brian Hardy, athlete James Summers, placekicker Davis Plowman and punter Worth Gregory.

For most of those players, the goal at Pro Day was catching the eye of at least one scout in hopes of being invited to an NFL training camp as an undrafted free agent or perhaps catching on with a team in the Canadian Football League.

But there’s still an outside chance that at least one or two could possibly sneak into the final few rounds of the draft.

The most likely of those candidates is Nelson.

A transfer from Minnesota whose only season as ECU’s starter went a long way toward rehabilitating an off-the-field reputation sullied by a past assault charge, Nelson got off to a hot start with the Pirates before being slowed by a nagging shoulder problem.

Even though his performance slipped late in the season, he was still good enough to earn an invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Carson, CA, where he took a bulk of the snaps for his team in a 27-7 victory. Nelson completed 11 of 18 passes for 102 yards and also rushed for a 1-yard first quarter touchdown while drawing rave reviews from his coach in the all-star game, former NFL head coach Mike Martz.

“He’s really an exceptional player,” Martz said. “It’s exciting to see what he’s going to do in camp for somebody. I think Philip is a starter in the league. I’m certain of it. He’s a good leader and has a real presence.”

He also had a solid Pro Day performance as the pitcher to Jones’ catching.

Things didn’t go as well for another former Pirate with realistic NFL aspirations.

James Summers was hoping to show off the versatility that saw him excel as a quarterback, a runner and a pass catcher during his two seasons at ECU. But a pulled hamstring suffered while running the 40 put an early end to his Pro Day effort and likely ended his hopes of getting drafted.

And yet, because of his ability to play multiple positions, as well as special teams, Summers remains an intriguing talent who will almost certainly get a shot to make a roster come fall.

VIEW ECU’S 2017 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Related

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: News & Features

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent News & Features

Baseball News
Pirates clinch AAC crown

Baseball News
ECU captures series, boosts conference lead

Baseball News
Pirates take series opener with Bulls

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates aim high for interior line talent

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates prevail at less than best

Baseball News
Pirates top Duke, 5-4

Baseball News
Pirates sweep series with 15-1 route

Baseball News
Pirates take series, boost league lead

Baseball News
ECU takes epic duel in 13 innings

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Resilient Pirates surge to first in AAC

More News & Features

ECU Schedules

  • ECU 2021 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2020-21 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2021 Baseball Schedule

ECU Recruiting

  • Football Recruiting Class of 2021
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2020
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2019
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2018
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2017
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2021-22
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2020-21
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2019-20
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2018-19
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2017-18
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2016-17
Tweets by bonesville

Past Football Schedules

  • ECU 2020 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2019 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2018 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2017 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2016 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2015 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2014 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2013 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2012 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2011 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2010 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2009 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2008 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2007 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2006 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2005 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2004 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2003 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2002 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2001 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2000 Football Schedule
  • Historical Schedules

Past Basketball Schedules

  • ECU 2019-20 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2018-19 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2017-18 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2016-17 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2000-2015 Basketball Archives

Past Baseball Schedules

  • ECU 2020 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2019 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2018 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2017 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2016 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2015 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2001-2014 Baseball Archives

Recruiting Class Profiles

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates aim high for interior line talent

ECU Recruiting News
Well stocked Pirates enter fray for O-linemen

ECU Recruiting News
ECU faces uphill battle in hunt for tight ends

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates cast wide net for wide receivers

ECU Recruiting News
Loaded Pirates still courting running backs

ECU Recruiting News
ECU targets quarterbacks of the future

AAC Football Recruiting News
Transfer portal reshaping AAC football programs

Class of 2022 Defensive Report Card
ECU’s former weak link becoming big strength (updated)

Class of 2022 Offensive Report Card
Help is on the way for blocking corps (update 3)

American Athletic Conference Recruiting
Bearcats lead AAC’s early signing push

Class of 2022 In-depth Analysis
Surprises, depth highlight early recruiting haul

VIEW FROM THE EAST
‘What a difference a year makes’

Football Recruiting Report
Prolific receiver Webb may enroll early

Football Recruiting Report
Another gifted running back headed to ECU

Football Recruiting Report
ECU wins pledge from hotly recruited RB Gunn

Football Recruiting Report
Coveted lineman Sacra may enroll early

Football Recruiting Report
Pirates lure a star from DB factory

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Harrell on quest for unanimous effort

Football Recruiting Report
West Craven star Mims sticking close to home

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates ready for preseason camp

Football Recruiting Report
Lineman built his future during COVID layoff

Football Recruiting Report
Norcross star on track for early enrollment

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates pulling from portal

Football Recruiting Report
Big man Allen tapping into ‘nasty side’

Football Recruiting Report
ECU gets one of NC’s top D-line prospects

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, May 16, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, May 15, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Saturday May 14, 2022

Writer Archives

  • Bonesville Staff
  • Brian Bailey
  • Sammy Batten
  • Bethany Bradsher
  • Brett Friedlander
  • Al Myatt
  • NFF
  • Greg Vacek
  • Danny Whitford

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, May 16, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, May 15, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Saturday May 14, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Friday, May 13, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, May 11, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, May 9, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, May 8, 2022

More Web Roundups

Copyright © 2022 Bonesville.net · Website by Seaport Webworks. · Log in · Privacy Policy