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 2022 Football Schedule
• ECU 2022-23 Hoops Schedule
• ECU 2023 Baseball Schedule

— Recruiting Thumbnails —
Football: 2023 • Hoops: 2023-24

Football Recruiting
Prep coach sings praises of ECU-bound CB Fleming

April 25, 2018 By Sammy Batten Leave a Comment

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Winston Gordon knows from experience what a good defensive back looks like when he sees one.

Since starting the football program at Hapeville Charter and Career Academy outside of Atlanta in 2011, Gordon, along with defensive coordinator Kevin Pope and secondary coach Saeed Lee, have helped develop multiple major college cornerbacks and safeties. Those include South Carolina safety Antoine Wilder, Georgia cornerback William Poole III and cornerback Chris Smith, who’ll join Poole with the Bulldogs next fall.

So when Gordon says rising Hapeville senior cornerback Malik Fleming ranks right along with those players in talent and potential, it means something.

“He is a one-of-a-kind athlete and talent,” Gordon said of the 5-foot-8, 180-pound Fleming, who decided to join East Carolina’s football recruiting Class of 2019 on March 31. He chose the Pirates after also considering offers from Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Boston College, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia Southern, Louisville, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Syracuse, Troy and Tulane.

Malik Fleming (Image source: 247sports.com)

Despite all that interest, Fleming said ECU was his focus from the time the Pirates extended a scholarship offer last December. He made two unofficial visits to the ECU campus, including one during the annual Purple-Gold spring scrimmage on March 24.

“Really, it was just them,” Fleming said. “I had the chance to speak to a lot of the players and they were always talking about the family environment. I felt that. Then, when I talked to (head) Coach (Scottie) Montgomery he told me nothing would be given to me, but I would have the chance to earn playing time with hard work. That sold me because all I want is a chance to prove myself at that level.”

Growing up in a football family helped Fleming learn at an early age about earning his place on the field. He has two cousins playing in the National Football League, including Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry. Two other cousins played at the major college level last season – North Carolina safety Donnie Miles and Purdue running back D.J. Knox.

“Those guys help make me the player I am,” Fleming said. “Because of them I had the mindset from the time I started playing at age four that I had to work to be a good player. They encouraged me to keep striving to get better.”

Fleming first made his mark at the high school varsity level as a sophomore at Creekside High School in Fairburn, Georgia. He was a bright spot on a 5-5 Creekside squad, making 35 tackles and an interception on defense, while also accumulating 274 yards in kick returns.

But after two seasons at Creekside, Fleming was ready for another challenge and a program that could best prepare him for the major college level. Impressed by Gordon and Pope’s history of developing defensive backs, Fleming decided to transfer to Hapeville Charter for his junior year.

Playing a corner position opposite the Georgia-bound Smith in Hapeville’s 4-2-5 alignment, Fleming ranked tied for second in the state with nine interceptions to help the Seminoles claim the AA championship. Hapeville defeated Rabun County, 35-23, for the title to complete a 14-1 season.

Fleming made his presence felt from the outset with his new team. Facing a Fitzgerald at Banneker team in the 2017 season opener that had beaten the Seminoles in the state semifinals the year before, Fleming intercepted two passes and blocked a potential game-tying field goal on the final play to preserve a 25-22 victory.

“If they kick the field goal, we go into overtime,” Gordon said. “But he comes off the edge and blocks that kick. That set the tone for us and catapulted us to the state championship.”

Gordon said Fleming may be the best all-around secondary player he’s had at Hapeville.

“Malik is more of an athletic, can-do-just-about-anything guy,” Gordon said. “Antoine Wilder was more physical. Will Poole is a bigger, prototypical cornerback and Chris Smith is a long, wiry, island-type corner.

“Malik us just well rounded. He’s not just an island guy at corner. He reminds me of (former Florida State and NFL cornerback) Terrell Buckley because he has these long arms. Furthermore, he’s a great person. He’s just a great kid and a phenomenal athlete.”

Gordon sees Freeman making an immediate impact at East Carolina.

“I think he’ll play from day one,” Gordon said. “He’s that type of athlete and a student of the game. Even if it’s just on special teams, he’ll show he deserves to be on the field with his work ethic as soon as he gets there.”

RECRUITING CLASS OF 2019 THUMBNAILS…

RECRUITING CLASS OF 2018 THUMBNAILS…

ECU 2018 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE AND SCORES

Related

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: FB Recruiting Class of 2019, Football Recruiting, News & Features, Recruiting

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recent News & Features

ECU Recruiting News
Towering lineman Neolian still honing skills (updated)

Basketball News
Pirates top SMU, 77-72

VIEW FROM THE EAST: NORTH TEXAS
The new American

Basketball News
ECU rally falls short

ECU Recruiting News
More help is on the way to ECU secondary

Basketball News
Porter leads Shockers past Pirates

VIEW FROM THE EAST: FAU
The new American

Basketball News
Pirates rally past Tulsa to snap losing streak

ECU Recruiting News
Portal delivers blue chipper RaRa Dillworth

VIEW FROM THE EAST: CHARLOTTE
The new American

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

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
Towering lineman Neolian still honing skills (updated)

ECU Recruiting News
More help is on the way to ECU secondary

ECU Recruiting News
Portal delivers blue chipper RaRa Dillworth

Class of 2023 Early Signing Review (UPDATED)
Pirates tap transfer portal for more talent

AAC Early Signing Review
New members dive into AAC recruiting wars

Class of 2023 Early Signing Review
First wave of recruits just the beginning

ECU Recruiting News
Brown finds way to ECU through portal

ECU Recruiting News
Transfer safety McDaniel destined for ECU

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates land coveted Spartanburg quarterback

ECU Recruiting News
Swift ECU recruit ‘in a class of his own’

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates win out for Georgia prep linebacker

ECU Recruiting News
Linebacker with pedigree charts path to ECU

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates find a gem in Palmetto State receiver

ECU Recruiting News
Official visit swayed North Mecklenburg star

ECU Recruiting News
Physical Georgia receiver poses tough matchup

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates project lineman Durant as center

ECU Recruiting News
ECU spotted potential in Conley lineman

ECU Recruiting News
ECU lands fleet-footed Georgia defensive back

ECU Recruiting News
‘Football town’ helps draw Short to Pirates

ECU Recruiting News
ECU targets edge rushers

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

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, February 8, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, February 6, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, February 5, 2023

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
Wednesday, February 8, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, February 6, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, February 5, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Saturday, February 4, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Friday, February 3, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Thursday, February 2, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, February 1, 2023

More Web Roundups

Copyright © 2023 Bonesville.net · Website by Seaport Webworks. · Log in · Privacy Policy