The first time around for college football’s early December signing period proved extremely successful for East Carolina.
The Pirates signed all 19 players who were verbally committed in the first few hours of the signing period, which ran Wednesday through Friday. The haul featured a major influx of defensive talent – 13 of the 19 play defense and seven are defensive back prospects – as well one of ECU’s most high-profile recruits ever in quarterback Holton Ahlers.
And there’s more to come.
ECU coach Scottie Montgomery and his staff will continue to work between now and the traditional signing period that starts February 7th to fill several spots still available in the recruiting Class of 2018. At that point, when the class is complete, we’ll again compile our annual report card for the class.
But until then, here’s some tidbits and personal evaluations based on film study and conversations with other analysts and coaches about each ECU prospect signed during the early period.
HOLTON AHLERS, Quarterback (6-3, 228) D.H. Conley HS, Greenville, NC
In the ratings: No. 18 dual-threat QB nationally 247Sports; No. 21 dual-threat QB nationally by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: Appalachian State, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Colorado State, Florida, Furman, Georgia, Georgia State, Indiana, Liberty, Marshall, Minnesota, N.C. State, Oregon State.
Key stat: Ahlers was intercepted only 28 times in 1,157 passing attempts in high school.
Fast fact: As a 12-year-old, Ahlers set the single-season home run record for Greenville Little League baseball.
My thoughts: As I commented on signing day, if you like Tim Tebow or David Garrard, you’re going to love Ahlers. He has the same build, throws lefty and plays with the kind of intensity that reminds me of Tebow during his Heisman years at Florida. Like, Garrard, the former ECU star and NFL quarterback, Ahlers plays with great poise under pressure. Ahlers throws a nice, tight spiral and can do that on the run or from the pocket. Most important of all, Ahlers has already established himself as a program leader before even setting foot on campus by turning down late overtures from the likes of Alabama and Florida to stick with his pledge to the Pirates.
KHALIL BARRETT, Safety-Cornerback (5-11, 200) Havelock HS, Havelock, NC
In the ratings: No. 194 safety nationally by 247Sports.com; Unranked by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: Coastal Carolina, Navy, Western Carolina.
Key stat: Produced 2,199 all-purpose yards and 30 touchdowns as a combo running back-wide receiver.
Fast fact: Barrett was originally committed to Coastal Carolina before a visit to Greenville the week before the early signing period.
My thoughts: Watching Barrett run around or over defenders as a running back in high school, it’s easy to understand why the ECU staff thinks he’ll fit nicely into a hybrid safety-cornerback position in college. He has the physical strength to shed blockers and make tackles against the run as well as the agility to drop back in pass coverage. I can imagine Barrett making a quick impact on special teams at ECU, but he’ll probably need time to transition into a full-time defensive player before seeing regular action in the secondary rotation. Although they are different athletes, I think Barrett could develop along the lines of Keyshawn Canady, who redshirted as a true freshmen in 2016 before asserting himself as a secondary contributor last season.
MYLES BERRY, Safety (6-1, 190) Dudley HS, Greensboro, NC
In the ratings: No. 129 safety nationally by 247Sports.com; No. 41 safety nationally by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: Air Force, Appalachian State, Army, Howard, James Madison, Navy.
Key stat: Played just five games as a senior due to injury, but still made 33 tackles and an interception.
Fast fact: As an 8-year-old in 2008, Berry was an inline speed skating champion.
My thoughts: Berry is a true ballhawk at free safety. He displays great awareness and an ability to track the ball when it’s in the air similar to a center fielder in baseball. But Berry doesn’t just stand back there and wait for the ball to come in his direction. He can lock up receivers in man-to-man coverage, and he closes fast and hits hard on running plays. Berry will also bring a winning attitude to Greenville. He’s been part of a Dudley program that went 25-4 the last two seasons, including 15-1 in 2015 in a run to the state 4-A title.
JOHNNY BOGLE, Tight end (6-2, 252) Nease HS, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
In the ratings: No. 90 tight end nationally by 247Sports.com; Unranked by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: Appalachian State, Central Florida, Coastal Carolina, Colorado State, Florida Atlantic, Georgia State, Massachusetts, Mercer, Middle Tennessee State, Rutgers, Samford, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Toledo, Tulane, Western Kentucky.
Key stat: Bogle made 23 tackles for loss over his final two prep seasons as a defensive lineman.
Fast fact: Bogle met actor Will Smith on the set of the 2007 film “I Am Legend,” which was being filmed in and around New York City.
My thoughts: Every offense needs a Johnny Bogle. He’s the guy who can seal off the defensive end lined up at tight end, or lead a running back through the hole as a fullback on short-yardage plays in the red zone. When Bogle locks up with a defender, he routinely knocks the opponent off his feet or drives him to the ground. Because of that special ability, Bogle could find a niche role very early in ECU’s offensive scheme. Don’t overlook the fact that Bogle developed in the same powerhouse Nease High program that has produced dozens of major-college prospects over the last two decades, including Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.
DAMEL HICKMAN, Cornerback (6-0, 166) Butler HS, Matthews, NC
In the ratings: No. 245 cornerback nationally by 247Sports.com; Unranked by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: None.
Key stat: Made 10 pass breakups and five interceptions as a senior; had nine career picks.
Fast fact: Hickman’s step brother, Jacobe Clement, was offered by ECU as a senior at Mallard Creek High in Charlotte. But Clement wound up signing with NCAA Division II Fayetteville State, where he appeared in six games as a true freshman in 2017.
My thoughts: Hickman’s nickname should be “Elmer’s” the way he’s glues himself to wide receivers. Although a bit on the lean side, Hickman makes up for that size deficit with excellent speed, leaping ability and superb anticipation. Those attributes allowed him to go man-to-man against some of the best receivers in the state over the last two seasons with great success. Obviously, he’ll need some time to develop more physically before doing battle with receivers at the FBS level. But once Hickman matures, he has the ability to become that corner you line up opposite the opponent’s best pass catcher game in and game out.
NOLAN JOHNSON, Cornerback (6-2, 190) Southwest Guilford HS, High Point, NC
In the ratings: No. 130 cornerback nationally by 247Sports.com; No. 64 cornerback nationally by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: Air Force, Appalachian State, Charlotte, Eastern Kentucky, Elon, Maryland, Yale.
Key stat: Broke up 30 passes and produced seven interceptions over final three prep seasons.
Fast fact: Johnson’s mother, Sabrina, lettered in volleyball and track at Appalachian State.
My thoughts: Johnson is one of those defenders who is versatile enough to play safety, corner or as a nickel back. I think the Pirates plan on using him at corner, where his long arms and frame make him the perfect candidate to take on the bigger receivers in the college game. Johnson’s best attribute may be his ability to smoothly and quickly transition from his back pedal to an attacking posture. Also plays with a lot of poise.
TREY LOVE, Defensive end (6-3, 246) Southeast Guilford HS, Greensboro, NC
In the ratings: No. 112 weakside defensive end nationally by 247Sports.com; Unranked nationally by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: Charlotte.
Key stat: Produced 20 quarterback sacks over his last three high school seasons.
Fast fact: Love was coached as a senior at Southeast Guilford by former North Carolina fullback-linebacker Kennedy Tinsley, who lettered four years for the Tar Heels (2006-09).
My thoughts: Love is so athletic that he also played a prominent role rushing, receiving and blocking from the fullback position on offense for Southeast Guilford. But it’s rushing the quarterback off the edge where Love really excels. He launches out of his stance with an impressive burst and seems to reach full speed almost immediately. Love has a long, still-lean frame that should eventually be able to handle 275 to 285 pounds. I consider him one of the sleepers in this class.
D’ANGELO MCKINNIE, Defensive end (6-4, 235) Southwest Onslow HS, Jacksonville, NC
In the ratings: Unranked nationally by 247Sports.com; Unranked nationally by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: None.
Key stat: Made 14 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks to earn All-Coastal 1-A/2-A Conference honors as a senior.
Fast fact: McKinnie played his first two prep seasons at James Kenan High in Warsaw.
My thoughts: His prep coach, former ECU offensive lineman Charlie Dempsey, compares McKinnie to ex-Pirate Guy Whimper. Whimper came to ECU as a defensive lineman before transitioning to the offensive line where he eventually made it to the NFL. But McKinnie certainly has some potential as a defensive end as well due to his long arms, agility and deceptive speed. Along with Love, he is the biggest sleeper pickup in this class.
CHANDLER MEDEIROS, Defensive tackle (6-3, 252) South Iredell HS, Statesville, NC
In the ratings: Unranked nationally by 247Sports.com; Unranked nationally by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: Charlotte, Elon, Old Dominion.
Key stat: Made 10.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks and earned on a spot on North Carolina’s Shrine Bowl all-star team as a senior.
Fast fact: Medeiros is an an excellent student who earned induction into the Beta Club at South Iredell.
My thoughts: Medeiros is a bulldozer who just fires off the line and drives blockers backwards. He comes out of his stance nice and low with good leg leverage, then delivers a vicious arm punch that usually renders blockers off balance. Because the Pirates are fairly well stocked at the tackle positions for 2018, Medeiros should have a redshirt year to learn and continue to add weight and strength. That should put him in position to make a big contribution in 2019.
JUWON MOODY, Wide receiver (5-10, 165) Conway HS, Conway, NC
In the ratings: No. 371 wide receiver nationally by 247Sports.com; Unranked nationally by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: South Carolina State.
Key stat: Averaged 22.4 yards per catch as a senior and 21.7 as a junior.
Fast fact: Juwon’s twin brother, Jaylen, was the starting linebacker at Conway, making 105 tackles as a senior.
My thoughts: Moody is like lightning. He can strike for a big play at any time and from anywhere on the field. A shifty, elusive athlete in the mold of former UNC receiver Ryan Switzer, Moody is a dynamic kick returner, and as a receiver can turn a quick out pass or jet sweep into a long gainer in the blink of an eye. I envision him as a slot receiver at ECU and a return specialist that will keep Pirate fans on the edge of their seats at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium every time he receives a punt or a kickoff.
DONOVAN NOEL, Offensive tackle (6-3, 257) Millbrook HS, Raleigh, NC
In the ratings: No. 69 offensive guard nationally by 247Sports.com; Unranked nationally by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: Appalachian State, Boston College, Buffalo, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Colorado State, Elon, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Howard, James Madison, N.C. A&T, N.C. Central, Old Dominion, Purdue Syracuse.
Key stat: An All-Cap 7 4-A Conference pick and Shrine Bowl all-star game participant as a senior.
Fast fact: Noel has been tutored in offensive line play by former N.C. State blocker Derek Morris.
My thoughts: What’s not to like about Noel? His technique is more advanced than the normal high school offensive lineman. He has quick feet, which allows him to get into position quickly when pass blocking, and he stays low when firing out on run plays. Noel has the perfect long frame and long arms that college coaches all want in an offensive lineman. And the fact that he’s versatile enough to play either tackle position or guard makes him a perfect fit for the Pirates.
ANDRE PEGUES, Wide receiver (6-3, 202) Hoke County HS, Raeford, NC
In the ratings: Unranked nationally by 247Sports.com; Unranked nationally by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: Appalachian State, Liberty, Princeton.
Key stat: Had 22 catches for 224 yards and five scores in just eight games during an injury plagued senior season.
Fast fact: Pegues’ father, Andre, is a U.S. Army staff sergeant stationed at Fort Bragg and played college football at Winston-Salem State.
My thoughts: Pegues is a diamond-in-the-rough who spent a lot of the early part of his prep career playing quarterback. He has all the physical tools – he can run, catch and has a tremendous frame – to become a big-play receiver. He just needs to get physically stronger and learn more of the nuances of the wide receiver position to have success at the next level.
JAREN RAINEY, Safety (6-2, 190) Southwest Guilford HS, High Point, NC
In the ratings: No. 47 dual-threat quarterback nationally by 247Sports.com; Unranked nationally by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: Army.
Key stat: Amassed 3,327 all-purpose yards in final two prep seasons as a quarterback on offense.
Fast fact: Rainey was coached in high school by his father, Eric Rainey.
My thoughts: Since he spent most of his high school career playing quarterback, Rainey’s lack of experience in the secondary means it’ll take some time for him to develop as a college safety. But this is an athlete who possesses great football savvy and a serious football IQ. Plus, he has the speed and agility to play in the secondary, which he exhibited as a member of North Carolina’s winning team in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas all-star game in December. All he needs is time.
WARREN SABA, Cornerback (5-10, 170) Benedictine HS/Garden City CC, Cleveland, OH
In the ratings: No. 22 JUCO cornerback nationally by 247Sports.com; Unranked nationally by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: Bethune-Cookman, Buffalo, Eastern Kentucky, San Francisco, Southern Miss, St. Francis.
Key stat: Broke up 22 passes and intercepted five as a red-shirt freshman at Garden City this season.
Fast fact: Saba was an all-state pick as a prep junior in 2014 as Benedictine won the state Division IV championship.
My thoughts: Saba is a baller who is going to create a lot of excitement in the ECU secondary before he’s done. He is just a tremendous athlete with great speed, agility and superior reaction time. Saba has a unique ability to be running stride-for-stride with a receiver without taking his eye off the quarterback. He’s a true shut-down corner who will get a chance to earn early playing time with the Pirates since he’ll enroll in January and participate in spring practice.
XAVIER SMITH, Linebacker (6-0, 237) Brooke Point HS, Stafford, VA
In the ratings: Unranked nationally by 247Sports.com; Unranked nationally by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Connecticut, James Madison, Marshall, Temple.
Key stat: Co-defensive player of the year and first-team all-district as a senior.
Fast fact: ECU’s coaching staff offered Smith after watching him at track practice, where he competed in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles as well as the shot put.
My thoughts: It’s rare you find an athlete of Smith’s size with his speed. He’s so fast his high school coach used him as the team’s top running threat during their stretch run last season. And he’s agile, too. Watch his highlight video and you’ll see him execute a perfect back flip in full football gear. But it’s on defense as an inside linebacker that Smith is a real beast. He flies to the ball and hits ballcarriers with a purpose. And he’s not just physical. Smith does a nice job dropping back into pass coverage, too, which is rare for an inside backer.
GERARD STRINGER, Linebacker (6-2, 188) Nansemond River HS, Suffolk, VA
In the ratings: Unranked nationally by 247Sports.com; Unranked nationally by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: Army, Navy, Ohio.
Key stat: Made 107 tackles, two interceptions and blocked a field goal as a senior.
Fast fact: Stringer’s uncle, Germaine Stringer, was a receiver and kick returner at Florida State in the late 1990s.
My thoughts: The outside linebacker complement to fellow Virginian Xavier Smith on the inside, Stringer plays off blocks well and is tremendous in pursuit. He also has the speed and agility to drop into pass coverage and become like a fifth defensive back. Smith will need some maturing physically before he’s ready to step on the turf at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, but he has the long, lanky frame to develop.
JIREH WILSON, Linebacker (6-3, 190) Northside HS, Jacksonville, NC
In the ratings: No. 165 safety nationally by 247Sports.com; Unranked nationally by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: Campbell, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Old Dominion, Vanderbilt.
Key stat: Made seven catches for 134 yards and four touchdowns in game against White Oak as a senior.
Fast fact: Wilson also played for Northside’s unbeaten (30-0) state 2-A championship basketball team as a junior.
My thoughts: A big-play talent on either side of the ball is the best way to describe Wilson. He’s versatile enough to make the clutch catch at the end of a game, or pick off a pass to spoil an opponent’s scoring opportunity. Experience is the only thing Wilson really lacks. Give him a redshirt year at ECU and he’ll be ready to make some significant contributions in 2019.
PEYTON WINSTEAD, Center (6-3, 290) Leesville Road HS, Raleigh, NC
In the ratings: No. 34 center nationally by 247Sports.com; Unranked nationally by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: Appalachian State, Charlotte, Liberty.
Key stat: Earned All-Cap 7 4-A Conference and first-team All-State honors as a senior.
Fast fact: Winstead’s father Bob played football at ECU, while his mother Amy was a cheerleader.
My thoughts: Winstead is built like a block of cement. His wide frame makes it difficult for defenders to navigate around him, which is especially valuable at the center position. Winstead is capable of handling all the snaps, be it in the shotgun formation or for punts and placements. He has also displayed great leadership qualities in helping bond this recruiting class along with quarterback Holton Ahlers.
MICHAEL WITHERSPOON, Cornerback (6-1, 195) Central Gwinnett HS/Hutchinson CC, Lawrenceville, GA
In the ratings: No. 15 JUCO cornerback nationally by 247Sports.com; Unranked nationally by Rivals.com.
Also offered by: Boise State, Toledo.
Key stat: Made 42 tackles, 10 pass breakups as a sophomore at Hutchinson Community College.
Fast fact: Witherspoon was the Gwinnett County Defensive Player of the Year as a senior at Central Gwinnett High School.
My thoughts: Witherspoon is a physical corner who can lay a lick on a ballcarrier just as readily as he bats down a pass. Since he took a redshirt year at Hutchinson, he’s had time to mature physically and mentally, which should help him get on the field early as ECU. Expect him to begin challenging for immediate playing time this spring with the Pirates.
Sammy, Thanks for update on new recruits. Several sources have us listed in middle of AAC ranking 2018 recruits. Do you agree?? Also, what are biggest need’s for Feb. signing? Lunch in Burlington is still available, maybe with Touloupas.