College football coaches have to react to the expected and unexpected personnel losses these days when it comes to forming their annual rosters.
East Carolina had to deal with the gamut — departures via graduation, early exits to the NFL and transfer portal defections — as it constructed the recruiting Class of 2025. On offense alone, the Pirates will be missing their leading rusher, three of their top four receivers, the top two tight ends and three offensive line starters when they return to the field for spring practice on March 25. Those include one player declaring early for the NFL Draft, seven who completed their college eligibility and one surprising entry into the transfer portal. That doesn’t include special teams where two other starters have exited the program.
Despite the dismissal of head coach MIKE HOUSTON in October after a 3-4 start, the Pirates managed to hang onto most of their committed high school prospects while adding some significant talent from the transfer portal. Credit defensive coordinator BLAKE HARRELL, who was eventually promoted to head coach, and the staff for not only turning ECU’s season around on the field but constructing a solid recruiting class during the transition.
And Harrell and company may not be finished. Another wave of players traditionally hit the transfer portal after spring practice, so more comings and goings could be in store.
Until then, as we look ahead to spring practice and how the recruiting Class of 2025 might fit into the program, here’s our annual position-by-position grades for the offensive signees. We’ll also project the best organizational profile we can and look ahead to the recruiting needs as the coaching staff pursues the recruiting Class of 2026. These projections are based on the final depth chart from last season and other information gathered by press time but may be altered by position changes during spring practice, or program defections or additions.
QUARTERBACK A
WHAT THEY NEEDED: The Pirates finished 2024 with three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster and already had signed one who delayed his enrollment. So, signing at least one quarterback for insurance purposes in case of injury or transfer was the goal.
WHO SIGNED: For a second time, COLE HODGE (6-2, 193) from Louisville, KY, was part of an ECU football recruiting class. After leading the Christian Academy of Louisville to consecutive state titles and earning 3-A player of the year honors as a senior in 2023, Hodge signed with the Pirates’ Class of 2024. But after undergoing surgery in May to repair a torn labrum in his hip, he opted in June to delay his enrollment and reclassify to 2025, saving him a year of eligibility. As a senior, Hodge passed for 4,104 yards and 57 touchdowns, while also rushing for 625 yards and 10 more scores. Rated Kentucky’s No. 13 prospect by 247Sports.com in the 2024 class, Hodge also had offers from Arkansas State, Appalachian State, Army, Central Michigan, Charlotte, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia Southern, Liberty, Marshall, Memphis, Miami of Ohio, UAB and Western Michigan.
A previous relationship between ECU offensive coordinator JOHN DAVID BAKER and Lake Travis High School offensive coordinator TOMMY MANGINO led the Pirates to CHASTON DITTA (6-0, 190). Ditta received an offer from ECU last May after staff members observed him throwing in spring practice for the Texas powerhouse. He took an official visit to Greenville on June 6 and committed five days later over offers from Arkansas State, Colorado State, Delaware, James Madison, Louisiana-Monroe, Marshall, Murray State, Navy, North Texas, Sam Houston State, UNLV, Utah State and Yale. Ditta passed for 4,301 yards and 47 touchdowns as a senior at Lake Travis. He also added 673 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing.
HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: Both Ditta and Hodge are strong-armed, athletic, intelligent prospects who played in prep programs under strong quarterback mentors. Hodge may be further along in his development because he’s played the position for three years in high school compared to one-and-a-half seasons for Ditta. He’ll also have the advantage of participating in spring practice with ECU, where, depending on potential post-spring transfer moves, he could wind up contending for a primary backup spot. Both are potential future starters for the Pirates.
BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: The Pirates extended a lot of scholarship offers to quarterbacks in the 2025 class. Two who made unofficial trips to Greenville before Ditta committed were JACK MORAN from The Hun School in Princeton, NJ, and KSAAN FARRAR from Green Run High in Virginia Beach, VA. Moran came to ECU on April 16 before making a verbal commitment to Charlotte. He’s since backed off that pledge amid the 49ers’ head coaching change. Farrar visited ECU in late January, but eventually signed with Connecticut.
WHO’S BACK: The top three quarterbacks on the depth chart are expected to be around for spring practice.
The trio starts with junior KATIN HOUSER (6-3, 222), who took over the starting assignment in game seven and led the Pirates to a 5-2 finish, including a bowl victory against N.C. State. Houser, in his first season with ECU after transferring from Michigan State, completed 149 of 245 passes for 2,006 yards and 18 touchdowns (11 picks). He also ran 49 times for 170 yards and four more scores. He’s the clear starter now heading into spring practice, but should he slip he’ll find two veterans behind him ready to step forward.
Senior JAKE GARCIA (6-3, 203) made the first six starts of the 2024 in his initial year in Greenville after transferring from Missouri. The former four-star prospect struggled with turnovers, tossing 11 interceptions to eight touchdown passes, which led to Houser’s ascension to the starting job. Still, Garcia, who passed for 1,426 yards, has the talent to be a starter if he can cut down the turnovers.
Redshirt sophomore RAHEIM JETER (6-4, 233) is another veteran who appeared in six games last season (1-2 passing for 1 yard; 1 rush for 9 yards). Jeter is a physical, dual-threat quarterback who has steadily improved as a passer during his time at ECU. But it has been a challenge for the Pirates to get him on the field enough to show what he can do.
Redshirt sophomore JOHN DAVID BLACK (6-3, 181), a preferred walk-on from Colleyville, Texas, rounds out the quarterback returnees. Black has yet to see action at ECU.
Barring transfers or position changes, the Pirates could have one of the deepest and most experienced quarterback rooms in the American Athletic Conference next fall.
WHO’S GONE: The only quarterback missing from ECU’s 2024 roster is redshirt freshman BRYSON HARRISON. Harrison, a former two-time all-region pick at Lassiter High in Roswell, GA, joined the Pirates last season after spending one year at Georgia State. He was expected to battle to be the third- or fourth-string quarterback this season with the Pirates but suffered a preseason injury that sidelined him for the year. Harrison entered the transfer portal on Dec. 8 but has yet to announce a new home.
NEEDS FOR 2026: A lot depends on what happens after spring practice. But regardless, the Pirates will need to sign at least one quarterback in the Class of 2026 and may need two if anyone enters the transfer portal after spring drills.
ECU had already extended offers to 14 prep quarterbacks by Jan. 27. The Pirates were the first to offer JACKSON DEBE (6-3, 187) from Charlotte’s Providence High. Debe, who also stars in baseball, threw for 2,170 yards and 27 touchdowns as a junior. Boston College, Charlotte, Connecticut, James Madison, Pittsburgh and Temple have also offered Debe. Debe did make an unofficial visit to ECU on Feb. 1 and indicated he might be returning.
Two other January offers extended by ECU were to STEPHEN CANNON (6-2, 195) from Benedictine Military School in Savannah, GA, and BOWE BENTLEY (6-2, 200) from Celina, Texas. Cannon was limited to six games as a junior due to a shoulder injury but still managed to throw for 1,237 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s also received offers from Appalachian State, Kennesaw State, Miami of Ohio, South Florida and Virginia. Bentley tossed 52 touchdowns passes in 2024 in leading Celina High to the state 4A University Interscholastic League title. Arkansas State, Boston College, California, Cincinnati, Duke, Georgia Tech, North Texas, Sam Houston State and Texas Tech have also offered Bentley.
DARNELL KELLY (6-2, 185) from Suwannee, Ga., took an unofficial visit to ECU on Feb. 1 for a Junior Day function. Kelly has accumulated more than 20 offers.
PROJECTED ORGANIZATIONAL DEPTH CHART FOR SPRING
Katin Houser (6-3, 222) Junior, Anaheim, CA
Jake Garcia (6-3, 203), Senior, Whittier, CA
Raheim Jeter (6-4, 224) Redshirt Soph., Spartanburg, SC
Cole Hodge (6-2, 193) Freshman, Louisville, KY
John David Black (6-3, 181) Redshirt Soph., Colleyville, TX
Chaston Ditta (6-0, 190) Freshman, Austin, TX
RUNNING BACK A+
WHAT THEY NEEDED: Two was the number with at least that many on track to complete their eligibility over the next two seasons. But a third scholarship back hit the portal following the regular season, increasing the demand to three.
WHO SIGNED: EDDIE LOVE JR. (5-8, 175), from Fort Walton Beach High in Florida, was part of a huge number of verbal commitments ECU gained last June. The Pirates beat out more than 20 other programs that offered Love, who carried 181 times for 1,527 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior.
From the junior college ranks, ECU snared DEJUAN LACY (5-9, 200) from Fort Worth, Texas, who starred at Garden City Community College. Lacy was the fourth-leading JUCO rusher in 2024 with 1,119 yards and 14 touchdowns on 163 carries. He held offers from James Madison, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee State, Old Dominion, Stephen F. Austin, Texas State, Troy, UAB and Wyoming in addition to ECU. The Pirates extended an offer Dec. 2 and Lacy took an official visit to campus on Dec. 10. He gave a verbal commitment on Dec. 25 and his signing was announced Jan. 23.
One of the coups for ECU from the transfer portal is PARKER JENKINS (5-11, 200). Jenkins, a native of Houston, Texas, was a four-star prospect and rated the No. 35 running back nationally as a senior at Klein Forest High (Class of 2023). He signed with hometown Houston and as a true freshman led the Cougars with 464 rushing yards on 99 carries. Jenkins opened 2024 as a starter for Houston, but didn’t play in the final seven games. That led him to the transfer portal on Dec. 2 and a pledge to ECU on Jan. 4.
HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: Jenkins is a speed merchant, who has been timed at 10.8 seconds in the 100-meter dash. He’s also a productive receiver and dangerous return man. Look for Jenkins to jockey for position on the running back depth chart this spring with MARLON GUNN JR., LONDON MONTGOMERY, T.J. ENGLEMAN JR. and Lacy.
Lacy is a powerful North-South runner who’ll surprise you with his speed. His compact physique makes it difficult to knock him off his feet, which helped make him a touchdown machine in junior college.
Love is another burner with potential to be a big playmaker down the road for East Carolina.
The newcomers significantly improved the Pirates’ depth and speed in the backfield.
BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: DEMON JUNE is a 5-foot-11, 225-pound bruiser from ECU’s backyard in Jacksonville, NC. June, who scored 84 career touchdowns at Jacksonville High, took an official visit to ECU on June 13. But after an unofficial trip to Chapel Hill in late July he wound up signing with North Carolina in December.
WHO’S BACK: The No. 2 and 3 rushers from 2024 are scheduled to return in redshirt sophomore LONDON MONTGOMERY and senior MARLON GUNN JR. Montgomery averaged 5.1 yards a carry and had 370 yards overall on 71 carries in his first season with the Pirates after transferring in from Penn State, while Gunn picked up 232 yards on 63 rushes. Montgomery finished 2024 No. 2 on the depth chart, but Gunn is the most experienced returning back with 34 games under his belt (633 yards rushing, 153 carries).
Redshirt freshman T.J. ENGLEMAN (5-9, 179) is a highly regarded member of the 2024 recruiting class who adjusted to life as a fulltime running back last season after playing quarterback in high school. Engleman still managed to appear in five games but didn’t register a carry.
Walk-ons MICHAEL BEATTY (5-9, 152) and DEMARI GANTT (5-11, 185) are redshirt freshmen in the backfield picture. Beatty is a shifty, fast (4.4 40) back who had 1,975 rushing yards and 429 on kickoff returns in three seasons at Apex’s Middle Creek High. Gantt was an all-conference running back and kick returner at Jacksonville High.
WHO’S GONE: The main man and hero of ECU’s Military Bowl victory against N.C. State, RAHJAI HARRIS, is off to seek fame and fortune in the NFL. Harris was a mainstay in the Pirates’ backfield for five straight seasons but saved his best for last. As a grad student in 2024, he racked up 1,166 yards and 11 touchdowns on 206 carries. Harris provided one of the greatest performances in ECU postseason history with a Military Bowl record 214 rushing yards that included an 86-yard touchdown run with 1:33 left to secure the 26-21 win against the Wolfpack.
Harris departs ECU second in career rushing (3,096 yards) and tied for third in rushing touchdowns (29).
Sophomore JAVIOUS BOND opted to leave ECU for the transfer portal on Dec. 3 after spending two seasons with the Pirates. Injuries curtailed a promising career for Bond, who played in four games in 2024 (14 rushes, 92 yards, touchdown). But an injury forced the Georgia native to the sidelines for the rest of the season. He wound up signing with Austin Peay on Dec. 30.
Also hitting the portal is redshirt freshman JAHCIRE JONES, a preferred walk-on from Little Silver, NJ. Jones didn’t see any playing time during his only season in Greenville and was still looking for a new home in late December.
Absent from the spring roster as well are walk-ons C.J. ARMSTRONG from Wilson and GRAYSON KLUE from Greenville, SC.
NEEDS FOR 2026: With Gunn finishing up his eligibility in 2025, and Jenkins and Lacy most likely done after the 2026 season, the Pirates should be looking to sign at least two running backs in the recruiting Class of ’26.
Two emerging running back targets who received offers from ECU in January are KIMAURI FARMER (5-9, 175) from Carrollton, GA, and KALEB WOODS (6-0, 185) from Newberry, FL. Both have produced back-to-back 1,000-yard-plus rushing seasons and have double-digit scholarship offers already. Farmer piled up 1,376 yards as a junior and has scored 44 rushing touchdowns over the last two years. Woods had 1,090 yards rushing and 13 scores in 2024.
PROJECTED ORGANIZATIONAL DEPTH CHART FOR SPRING
London Montgomery (5-10, 187) Sophomore, Scranton, PA
Marlon Gunn Jr. (6-0, 207) Senior, Baton Rouge, LA
Parker Jenkins (5-11, 200) Junior, Houston, TX.
DeJuan Lacy (5-9, 200) Junior, Fort Worth, TX
T.J. Engleman (5-9, 179) RFresh., Atlanta, GA
Eddie Love Jr. (5-8, 175) Freshman, Fort Walton Beach, FL
DeMari Gantt (5-11, 185) RFresh., Jacksonville, NC
Michael Beatty (5-9, 152) RFresh., Apex, NC
WIDE RECEIVER A+
WHAT THEY NEEDED: With two seniors scheduled to exhaust their college eligibility after the 2024 season, and two more potentially finishing up after ’25, the Pirates were looking to sign at least two or three receivers. Two of those needed to be capable of making an immediate impact.
WHO SIGNED: The early signing period produced CONNOR HODGE (6-1, 160) from Louisville, KY, and JONATHAN WILLIAMS (5-10, 160) from Havelock, NC.
Hodge is the younger brother of quarterback signee COLE HODGE. Connor was named Mr. Football in Kentucky as a senior playing quarterback, but as a junior with Cole taking the snaps he ranked second in the state with 1,494 receiving yards. He was the first prospect to commit to the recruiting Class of 2025 back in August 2023 over offers from Ball State, Central Michigan, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia Southern, Southeast Missouri State and UT-Martin.
Williams, too, played quarterback at times for state power Havelock High. But he also had 116 career receptions for 2,429 yards and 23 touchdowns. Williams capped his prep career by earning MVP honors in the prestigious Shrine Bowl of Carolinas after scoring four touchdowns for the victorious North Carolina squad. The Pirates actually lost Williams as part of the recruiting class briefly after Houston was fired as head coach. Williams decommitted and made a pledge to James Madison. But when the early signing period rolled around on Dec. 4, he flipped back to ECU.
The Pirates made their most significant addition at receiver just before Christmas when they grabbed JAQUAIZE PETTAWAY (5-10, 194) from the transfer portal. Pettaway is a former four-star prospect from Houston, Texas, who spent the last two seasons at Oklahoma. He played in 20 games during that span for the Sooners, making 16 catches for 157 yards. Pettaway entered the transfer portal on Dec. 1 and committed to ECU on Dec. 20.
Two other major portal receiver triumphs for ECU were PAYTON MANGRUM (5-11, 201) and TYLER JOHNSON (6-0, 175). Mangrum arrives via South Carolina where he was originally a walk-on before earning a scholarship. He played in 44 games over five seasons with the Gamecocks and had a reputation for being a hard-working special teams player. Johnson comes from Penn State where he played in 10 games last season but didn’t post any statistics.
HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: Pettaway has top-end speed, works well in space and should start competing for playing time and potentially a starting job this spring. He’ll also be a candidate to return kicks on special teams. Likewise, Johnson, a former four-star recruit, is known for his speed.
Mangrum is a team-first guy who’ll do whatever it takes to help win. But at South Carolina he was limited mostly to special teams play. He’ll be highly motivated to earn a chance to display his receiving skills at ECU. Mangrum’s ability to play both the slot and outside positions is an added bonus.
Hodge and Williams are both versatile athletes who, in time, will provide a lot of excitement. Williams, especially, is a potential big-play artist, while Hodge is a sure-handed receiver well suited for the slot position.
BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: East Carolina was named one of the top three schools along with Liberty and Pittsburgh in January 2024 for EMMANUEL TAYLOR (6-1, 190) from Green Run High in Virginia Beach, VA. Taylor came to Greenville for a Junior Day function that same month, but the speedy receiver eventually chose to play for Pittsburgh in July.
WHO’S BACK: The list of returning receivers has to start with sophomore YANNICK SMITH (6-3, 214), who emerged as a star and KATIN HOUSER’S favorite target by the end of the season. Smith played in all 13 games but started the final three. He finished the year with 25 catches for 434 yards (17.4 per catch) and three touchdowns. Watch those figures increase significantly in 2025 as Smith competes for all-conference honors.
Grad student ANTHONY SMITH (6-3, 188) returns after starting all 13 games for the Pirates in 2024. Smith ranked second in receiving with 41 catches for 799 yards and was second in touchdown catches (6). He was ECU’s primary deep threat last season, averaging 19.5 yards per reception.
Other experienced receivers returning this spring will be junior BROCK SPALDING (5-11, 184), senior KELAN ROBINSON (6-3, 204), redshirt freshman JYRON WAITERS (5-11, 181) and redshirt sophomore MCCALLUM WRIGHT (6-3, 185). Spalding played in seven games and made one start (five catches, 71 yards), while Robinson saw action in nine games (4-33) last year. Waiters played in three games and Wright one with neither registering a catch. Spalding, Robinson and Waiters all have potential to make an impact on the receiver rotation.
Redshirt freshman DILLON LORICK (6-1, 196), redshirt freshman TRENTON CLOUD (6-1, 185) and redshirt sophomore MALIK LEVERETT (6-3, 189) are other scholarship receivers hoping to establish themselves with strong performances this spring.
Redshirt freshman JACKSON DICKERSON (5-10, 174), redshirt freshman TY JOHNSON (6-3, 180) and redshirt sophomore BLEU COLEMAN (5-11, 181) are walk-on members of the receiver corps. Johnson, who had 45 catches for 793 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior at Asheville’s Erwin High, has similar size to YANNICK SMITH and is considered a sleeper among the walk-on receivers.
WHO’S GONE: Three of the top four pass catchers from 2024 have exited, including one unexpected departure in sophomore CHASE SOWELL.
Sowell, Humble, TX, was ECU’s third-best receiver last season with 34 catches for 678 yards and three touchdowns. Those figures, which he achieved in just nine games, earned him second-team All-American Athletic Conference honors. Sowell, who began his career at Colorado before landing at ECU, surprised many by entering the transfer portal on Dec. 2. After entertaining a variety of suitors, Sowell decided to sign with Iowa State in mid-December.
WALLACE WRIGHT JR. proved to be a dual threat for ECU last season. Wright led the Pirates in receiving (54 catches, 556 yards, 8 touchdowns) and was their top return man also (22 kickoff returns for 590 yards and a touchdown). Wright will now try to earn a spot on an NFL roster as will JHARI PATTERSON, who played in 13 games and started two for the Pirates in 2024. Patterson ranked fourth in receiving with 33 catches for 281 yards and a touchdown. He appeared in 25 games over the last two seasons, accumulating 53 receptions for 418 yards.
Joining Sowell in the transfer portal are veteran receiver KERRY KING, and walk-ons MELVIN JACOBS and RYAN STEPHENS. King, a walk-on turned scholarship player for the Pirates, was a valued special teams performer and reserve receiver the last two seasons. He appeared in 19 games during that span, contributing seven catches for 72 yards. Jacobs saw action in three games last season, while Stephens did not appear in any games. Stephens, the younger brother of former ECU linebacker CHAD STEPHENS, has found a new home at N.C. A&T.
NEEDS FOR 2026: Based on the number of reported offers extended by East Carolina as of Jan. 30 — 32 according to 247Sports.com — this is a priority on offense for the Class of 2026. Look for ECU to pursue signing 3-5 receivers from the prep ranks or via the transfer portal in this cycle.
A highly regarded in-state receiver ECU offered back in May 2024 is 6-1, 175-pound GAVIN WADDELL from Rolesville High. Waddell was one of the state’s top receivers in 2024 with 67 catches for 1,035 yards and 12 touchdowns. A three-star prospect, according to 247Sports.com, Waddell already has offers from Appalachian State, Austin Peay, Bethune-Cookman, Campbell, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Connecticut, Howard, James Madison, Miami, Troy and Western Illinois.
PROJECTED ORGANIZATIONAL DEPTH CHART FOR SPRING
*Note: Outside receiver positions are interchangeable, and those players may work at both X and Z positions.
Outside receiver (X)
Anthony Smith (6-3, 188) Graduate, Huntington, MD
Tyler Johnson (6-0, 175) Junior, Ridgeway, VA
Dillon Lorick (6-1, 196) RFresh., Thompson’s Station, TN
Trenton Cloud (6-1, 185) RFresh., Greensboro, NC
McCallum Wright (6-3, 185) RSoph., Raleigh, NC
Bleu Coleman (6-0, 181) RSoph., Charlotte, NC
Outside receiver (Z)
Yannick Smith (6-3, 214) Sophomore, Summerville, SC
Kelan Robinson (6-3, 204) Senior, Grand Prairie, TX
Malik Everett (6-3, 189) RSoph., Evans, GA
Ty Johnson (6-3, 180) RFresh., Asheville, NC
Inside receiver (H)
Brock Spalding (5-11, 184) Junior, Lorton, VA
Jaquaize Pettaway (5-10, 194) Junior, Houston, TX
Jyron Waiters (5-11, 181) RFresh., Florence, SC
Payton Mangrum (5-11, 201) Senior, Grreenville, SC
Jonathan Williams (5-10, 160) Freshman, Havelock, NC
Connor Hodge (6-1, 160) Freshman, Louisville, KY
Jackson Dickerson (5-10, 174) RFresh., Knightdale, NC
TIGHT END A
WHAT THEY NEEDED: The Pirates lost a major player at tight end even before the 2024 season began when SHANE CALHOUN entered the transfer portal in April. Two other tight ends on the roster finished their eligibility after the 2024 season. So it made sense to pursue at least two tight ends for the Class of 2026.
WHO SIGNED: The Pirates struck gold at tight end with the signing of three prep players who excelled at the position.
CAYMAN REYNOLDS (6-4, 225), from Calhoun, GA, is ranked No 62 among the Class of 2026 tight end recruits. Reynolds, who also received offers from the likes of Georgia Tech and Michigan State, caught 58 passes for 660 yards and four touchdowns as a senior at Sonoraville High School.
Basketball-turned-football-player KALEB MORROW (6-6, 240) had 57 receptions over his final two seasons at Apex (NC) High School. The former AAU cage star also entertained offers from Appalachian State, Charlotte, Marshall, Middle Tennessee and Temple.
We’ll call him a tight end, but STEPHEN COLLIER (6-2, 220) from Lexington, SC, could be used at multiple positions by the Pirates. Collier was actually the most productive of the tight end signees as a pass catcher in high school. He hauled in 51 passes for 643 yards and five touchdowns as a senior and collected 144 passes for 1,783 career yards. Arkansas State, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina and Marshall also offered Collier, who opted for ECU last June.
HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: Reynolds is like the new breed of tight ends who can be attached to the line or step out wide to create mismatches with defensive backs. He’s probably the most polished of the rookie tight ends and will get a chance to insert himself into the depth chart this spring due to his early enrollment.
Morrow will also participate in spring practice at ECU. He’s a bit of a late bloomer, so he needs more time to develop. But Morrow is a prospect who has great length and is very athletic due to his basketball background.
Collier is expected to be a jack-of-all-trades for the Pirates, playing tight end, receiver, H-back, fullback and maybe even some Wildcat quarterback.
BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: Really, the only tight end ECU had a strong connection with but ended up losing is NICK SLOGIK. Slogik was an intriguing part of the Class of 2025, signing with the Pirates to play both football and baseball. But after spending the 2024 season well down the depth chart at tight end and seeing no action, he announced Dec. 9 he was entering the transfer portal. Slogik had yet to find a new team as of Jan. 30.
WHO’S BACK: A pair of experienced tight ends head the personnel in the tight end room. Junior DESIRRIO RILES (6-3, 235) returns as the heir apparent to TYLER SAVAGE and CASEY KELLY, who shared the position most of last season. Riles still managed to make his mark by making eight catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns while playing in all 13 games. The Jacksonville, FL, native has exhibited good speed and playmaking abilities while appearing in 24 games over the last two seasons.
Challenging RILES for the No. 1 spot on the depth chart this spring will be JAYVONTAY CONNER (6-4, 231), who played in nine games last season after transferring from Mississippi. Conner, a redshirt sophomore from Winston-Salem, NC, is very similar to Riles, minus the game experience. He registered one catch in 2024, but it went for two yards and a touchdown.
Redshirt sophomores MASON BROWN (6-5, 237) and GAGE REALE (6-2, 228) are in-state products looking to crack the tight end rotation.
WHO’S GONE: As mentioned above, TYLER SAVAGE and CASEY KELLY handled most of the snaps and all the starts at tight end during the 2024 season. Both have completed their college eligibility.
Savage played in 46 games over five seasons with the Pirates, making 10 starts. Seven of those were the final ones on ECU’s schedule this season when he contributed 14 receptions for 193 yards and one touchdown.
Kelly held the starting job for the first six games in 2024 after arriving via the transfer portal from Oregon. He was the top receiving tight end, making 16 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown.
A third tight end we mentioned above, freshman NICK SLOGIK, entered the transfer portal after seeing no action in 2024.
NEEDS FOR 2026: The position may seem well stocked after the Class of 2025 additions, but the Pirates still need to sign a tight end during the 2026 cycle.
Three-star D.J. HOWERTON (6-4, 220) from Grimsley High in Greensboro, NC, got an offer from ECU last June before helping his squad to a state title. He now holds more than a dozen FBS offers from schools including Florida, Florida State and South Carolina.
The latest tight end offer extended by ECU came Jan. 27, 2025, to OWEN POLLOCK (6-4, 225) from Big Walnut High in Sanbury, Ohio. Pollock was a first-team all-county pick in 2024 after making 14 catches for 251 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also been offered by Bowling Green, Buffalo, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Miami Ohio and West Virginia.
PROJECTED ORGANIZATIONAL DEPTH CHART FOR SPRING
Desirrio Riles (6-3, 235) Junior, Jacksonville, FL
Jayvontay Conner (6-4, 231) RSoph., Winston-Salem, NC
Cayman Reynolds (6-4, 235) Freshman, Calhoun, GA
Kaleb Morrow (6-6, 240) Freshman, Apex, NC
Stephen Collier (6-2, 220) Freshman, Lexington, SC
Mason Brown (6-5, 237) RSoph., Warsaw, NC
Gage Reale (6-2, 228) RSoph., Charlotte, NC
OFFENSIVE LINE A
WHAT THEY NEEDED: Three players with at least two years of starting experience each were in line to depart after the 2024 season, so at the very least replacing that trio was a priority. With three other prominent seniors on the roster for 2025, the need to sign four or more new blockers was the objective. And at least two of those needed to be ready to play immediately.
WHO SIGNED: The freshman class features three offensive line prospects — PAYTON REEDER (6-5, 290), JONATHAN STOKES (6-4, 285) and KENDALL WALTON (6-5, 300). Reeder, from Indian Trail, NC, originally committed to ECU in the Class of 2024, but delayed his enrollment until January 2025 while rehabbing a fractured foot. As a senior at Metrolina Christian Academy in 2023 he recorded 90 pancake blocks and didn’t allow a sack.
Stokes is a true center prospect from Randleman, NC, who was the second player to join ECU’s recruiting Class of 2025. He gave the Pirates a verbal commitment in March 2024 over offers from Charlotte and Elon. Walton hails from Lamar, SC, and joined the ECU recruiting class on Oct. 15 over offers from Campbell, Gardner-Webb, Maine and The Citadel.
The Pirates tapped into the junior college ranks and the transfer portal for some immediate help on the offensive line. LEIVI SEMAIA (6-4, 320) was a first-team all-conference guard at El Camino junior college in California this season. He announced his decision to play for ECU on Dec. 22 over offers from Campbell, Marshall and Texas Southern and will have two years of eligibility left. COOPER TRNAVSKY (6-5, 295) was an all-league performer at NCAA Division II Newberry, where he appeared in 29 career games. Charlotte also pursued Ternasky, but he chose to play for the Pirates on Dec. 22 for his final year of eligibility. KYLE LONG (6-6, 300) comes to ECU via the transfer portal from Maryland. Long made six starts for the Terps at guard in 2023 and appeared in six games as a backup last season. He’ll have one season left to play for the Pirates.
HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: Long and Semaia should contend for starting jobs during spring practice. Both bring excellent size and college experience to the guard spots. Trnavsky may have a bit of a learning curve coming from the Division II level, but he adds versatility to the blocking corps because he can play both guard and tackle.
Stokes is a pure center that ECU can develop behind KAMERON DURANT, while Reeder is aggressive and physical at tackle. Walton is an agile guard-tackle prospect. All three will enhance ECU’s depth on the offensive line while adjusting to the college level.
BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: Butler Community College center DEVIN DAVIS (6-2, 305) took an official visit to East Carolina on Dec. 9. Davis, from Suwanee, GA, would have immediately contended for a starting job at center with the Pirates, but instead committed to Charlotte on Dec. 15.
WHO’S BACK: Despite major losses, East Carolina returns significant experience on the offensive line, including four players who have been starters.
Junior EMMANUEL POKU (6-6, 326), from Charlotte, started 13 games in 2024, the first six at right tackle and the last seven at right guard. That, combined with nine games he played in 2023, makes him the most experienced of ECU’s returning blockers. Poku should appear on plenty of preseason all-league projections heading into 2025.
Junior JIMARION MCCRIMON (6-5, 288) moved into the starting right tackle job when Poku shifted to guard for the final seven games. The Kissimmee, FL, product played in 12 games overall in his first career action with ECU. DARIUS BELL (6-5, 300), a senior from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, also made an impressive debut with the Pirates after transferring from Maine. Bell played in nine games overall and started the first six at left guard.
A wildcard and perhaps a key for ECU on the offensive line would be a healthy return of redshirt junior JACOB SACRA (6-6, 309). Sacra, from Madison, VA, started all 12 games at right guard in 2023, but was sidelined for the entire ’24 season because of a back injury. He didn’t practice at all last year but has been cleared to work out this spring.
Others back with game experience include senior tackle JAYSON TARPEH (6-7, 328), junior tackle BRYCE WEAVER (6-4, 327), grad student guard/center PANDA ASKEW (6-3, 300) and redshirt sophomore center KAMERON DURANT (6-4, 296). Tarpeh appeared in 12 games last season as the backup to PARKER MOORER and Durant played in one game as the third-team center. Askew saw action in three games as a reserve guard and Weaver played in nine games as a backup tackle.
Houston transfer KARSON JONES (6-4, 298), redshirt sophomore MARLEON NEOLIEN (6-7, 331), redshirt freshman ZACK BOEHLY (6-5, 280), redshirt freshman SAM RIDDY JR. (6-6, 288), redshirt sophomore JAKE CROCKER (6-6, 311), redshirt junior TREY HARDISON (6-4, 306), redshirt sophomore WILLIAM COATS (6-3, 286) and redshirt freshman COHEN EZZELL (6-4, 301) round out the returning blocking corps.
WHO’S GONE: HAMPTON ERGLE, DUSTYN HALL and PARKER MOORER logged 76 starts between them at East Carolina. Moorer started 25 straight over the last two seasons at left tackle and earned third-team All-AAC honors in 2024. Hall made 26 career starts playing mostly center but also working at left and right guard. Ergle started 25 consecutive games over two seasons playing center (9), right tackle (3), right guard (6) and left guard (7).
In addition to that trio, the Pirates also lost junior guard AMARIE ARCHER and freshman tackle KENNY WALZ to the transfer portal. Archer committed to Akron on Dec. 20, but the school has yet to announce his signing. Walz was a member of the recruiting Class of 2024, but did not appear in any games this season. As of Feb. 2, he had not announced a new destination.
NEEDS FOR 2026: With three known departures occurring after the 2024 campaign, and eight others on tap to complete their eligibility over the next two seasons, offensive line looms as a big priority in the Class of 2026. Securing four to five from the portal and prep ranks would be a start toward filling those gaps.
JOSHUA SINGLETON (6-5, 315) and JONAH TARPLEY (6-5, 305) are a pair of interior offensive linemen ECU targeted in January 2025. Singleton is from Flagler Palm Coast High in Palm Coast, FL, and has also received offers from Florida Atlantic, Liberty and South Florida. Tarpley, from St. Mary’s Ryken in Leonardtown, MD, lists Charlotte as his only other offer besides the Pirates.
A Jan. 19, 2025, offer was extended by East Carolina to 6-5, 300-pound tackle prospect MICHAEL BOWENS JR., from the W.S. Neal School in Brewton, AL. Eastern Kentucky, Florida, Georgia State, Louisiana and Tuskegee have also stepped forward with early offers.
NORI WHITE (6-6, 320) from Independence High in Charlotte, NC, attended Junior Day in Greenville on Feb. 1. White has offers from the Pirates and Charlotte.
PROJECTED ORGANIZATIONAL DEPTH CHART FOR SPRING
*Note: Many of the offensive line positions are interchangeable, so many of the players may wound up on the depth chart at multiple spots.
LEFT TACKLE
Emmanuel Poku (6-6, 326) Junior, Charlotte, NC
Jayson Tarpeh (6-7, 328) Senior, Woodbridge, VA
Marleo Neolien (6-7, 331) RSoph., Freeport, NY
Sam Riddy Jr. (6-6, 288) RFresh., North Charleston, SC
Payton Reeder (6-5, 290) Freshman, Indian Trail, NC
LEFT GUARD
Darius Bell (6-5, 300), Senior, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Panda Askew (6-3, 300), Graduate, Greenville, NC
Kyle Long (6-6, 300) Senior, Florissant, MO
William Coats (6-3, 286) RSoph., Clayton, NC
Kendall Walton (6-5, 300) Freshman, Lamar, SC
CENTER
Kameron Durant (6-4, 296) RSoph., Summerville, SC
Karson Jones (6-4, 298) RSoph., Lubbock, TX
Panda Askew (6-3, 300), Graduate, Greenville, NC
Jonathan Stokes (6-4,285) Freshman, Randleman, NC
RIGHT GUARD
Jacob Sacra (6-6, 309) RJunior, Madison, VA
Livi Semaia (6-4, 320) Junior, Torrence, CA
Trey Hardison (6-4, 306) RJunior, Jacksonville, NC
Cohen Ozell (6-4, 301) RFresh., Pikeville, NC
RIGHT TACKLE
Jimarion McCrimon (6-5, 288) Junior, Kissimmee, FL
Bryce Weaver (6-4, 327) Junior, Greenville, NC
Cooper Trnavsky (6-5, 295) Senior, Spartanburg, SC
Zack Boehly (6-5, 280) RFresh., Plantation, FL
Jake Crocker (6-6, 311) RSoph., Princeton, NC
SPECIALISTS B-
WHAT THEY NEEDED: It’s hard to use “need” to describe ECU’s situation with its specialists. The Pirates were fairly deep with young players waiting their chance at some spots, but veteran help, especially at long snapper, wouldn’t hurt.
WHO SIGNED: TRISTON O’BRIEN (6-3, 225) comes, via the transfer portal, from FCS Indiana State. O’Brien was the starting long snapper for all 12 games last season for the Sycamores. Prior to last season, he spent a year as the backup long snapper for Cincinnati.
HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: O’Brien, a junior from Jefferson, Ohio, immediately steps to the top of the depth chart for long snappers.
BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: There was no reported interest in any specialist during the 2026 recruiting cycle other than O’Brien.
WHO’S BACK: Three experienced kickers top the list of returning specialists. Senior ANDREW CONRAD (5-10, 170) has been ECU’s primary placekicker for most of the last two-and-a-half seasons. Conrad enters his final college season having made 36 of 51 field goals (71%) with a long of 52 yards. He was 10-for-14 in field-goal tries last season.
Senior NOAH PEREZ (5-7, 160) took over for Conrad in the Military Bowl, booting field goals of 24 and 42 yards while also converting a pair of extra points. Perez made six of seven field-goal tries on the year in five games.
Sophomore EVERETT SCOTT (5-10, 168) served as ECU’s kickoff man in 2024. In nine games, he kicked off 56 times, averaging 60.9 yards per kick with 19 touchbacks.
A pair of redshirt freshmen are the returning punters. Australian THOMAS O’HALLORAN (6-3, 200) and ETHAN STUMPF (6-2, 196), from Park Ridge, IL, have yet to see any college action. Barring any roster additions between now and next season, they will compete for the starting job.
Equally inexperienced but returning as long snappers are redshirt sophomore TRIPP SMITH (6-1, 229) from Simpsonville, SC, and redshirt freshman COLE WALKER (6-4, 244) from Savannah, GA.
WHO’S GONE: Depending on how either O’Halloran or Stumpf perform at punter this spring and next fall, the Pirates will definitely need to find some help at that position. The Pirates lost two key elements of their special teams in long snapper ALEX HARPER and punter LUKE LARSEN.
Harper handled the deep snapper duties for ECU for three straight seasons after coming over from N.C. Central in the transfer portal. He played in 38 games during that span to complete his eligibility.
Larsen’s departure was a bit of a surprise. He’s served as ECU’s punter for most of the last three seasons, averaging 40.8 yards on 174 kicks. But on Jan. 20 he announced his plans to enter the transfer portal as a graduate transfer.
NEEDS FOR 2026: The Pirates will definitely need some special teams help through the recruiting efforts for the 2026 class. Depending on how O’Halloran and Stumpf perform this spring and next fall, a punter should be on the list of needs. Likewise, landing a placekicker should be an objective with Conrad and Perez heading into their senior years.
PROJECTED ORGANIZATIONAL DEPTH CHART FOR SPRING
PLACEKICKER
Andrew Conrad (5-10, 170) Senior, Kernersville, NC
Noah Perez (5-7, 160) Senior, Phoenix, AZ
Everett Scott (5-10, 168) Sophomore, Weddington, NC
LONG SNAPPER
Triston O’Brien (6-3, 225) Junior, Jefferson, Ohio
Tripp Smith (6-1, 229) RSoph., Simpsonville, SC
Cole Walker (6-4, 244) RFresh., Savannah, GA
PUNTER
Thomas O’Halloran (6-3, 200) RFresh., Onkaparinga Hills, South Australia
Ethan Stumpf (6-2, 196) RFresh., Park Ridge, IL
OVERALL OFFENSIVE GRADE A
Thanks in part to the transfer portal, this is one of the best and deepest offensive classes in recent memory at East Carolina. They met needs with talent at every position, and in many cases have brought in players to make an immediate impact, especially on the offense line where it was needed most.
Sammy, thanks as always for your breakdown of recruits and returning players. Don’t see my old Dentist and your Fraternity Brother, Mike Touloupas since his retirement but if you are ever passing through Burlington and have time maybe we could have lunch. Thanks again.
Great report, Thanks Sammy