An up-close look by East Carolina’s coaching staff last spring propelled Zyon Ratchford from just another prospect to a major target.

The Pirates had corresponded with the 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker from Gaffney (SC) High School as well as his teammate, defensive lineman Kelton Smith. But their interest took a more serious turn after ECU’s outside linebacker coach Rico Zachary watched Ratchford during the Upstate Football Showcase at Spartanburg High in mid-May. The event, featuring players from nine South Carolina schools working under practice conditions, was held to get exposure for the team’s talent.

“They (ECU) kind of started contacting me after the practice at Spartanburg High,” Ratchford said. “They liked how I practiced that day. I showed them my talent and all that. Coach Zachary told them all (ECU coaching staff) about me and they just made me an offer.”

Zachary made the scholarship offer in person on a subsequent visit to Gaffney High on May 22. Ratchford, who has been recruited to play an edge position by the Pirates, followed that with an official visit to East Carolina on June 12 and followed with a verbal commitment to the Pirates on July 1. He chose ECU over other offers from Charlotte, Campbell, Coastal Carolina, Gardner-Webb, Charleston Southern, South Florida, Appalachian State, N.C. A&T and Limestone.

Ratchford actually took official visits to Coastal Carolina (6/16), Appalachian State (5/30) and USF (3/13) before accepting the scholarship offer from East Carolina. But his official visit to ECU, where he was hosted by senior defensive lineman Samuel Dankah, proved to be a turning point in his recruitment.

“It was special,” Ratchford said. “I’ve been to a lot of official visits. I’m not trying to downplay App (Appalachian State) or Coastal (Carolina). But there was something about ECU that stood out. All the coaches and players were all welcoming. It just helped me make my decision earlier.”

It also helped the Pirates that Ratchford’s Gaffney teammate, Kelton Smith, gave his verbal commitment on June 15. Although it was a major reason for Ratchford’s pledge, Smith’s decision increased his comfort level with ECU.

“We’re good friends,” Ratchford said. “We’ve known each other for a while. But him committing didn’t play a major part in me picking ECU. At the end of the day it’s you. But him committing, it’s good to have a face you know, and you can help each other out. It makes you feel more comfortable.”

The pledge to East Carolina ensures Ratchford will continue a football career that began at the age of five. Born and raised in Gaffney, which is known as “the Peach Capital of the World,” he was introduced to the sport by his father Lejuan Collins and grandfather Warren Ratchford. Collins played high school football at South Carolina power Byrnes High, while Warren Ratchford was a running back at Clemson University from 1974-78. The latter appeared in 55 games for the Tigers, rushing for more than 1,400 yards and was a senior on the 1978 squad that won the Atlantic Coast Conference championship and beat Ohio State in the Gator Bowl.

The Gator Bowl win against the Buckeyes would become one of the most infamous in postseason history after Ohio State’s legendary head coach Woody Hayes punched Clemson player Charlie Bauman after a play on his sideline. Caught on live television, the incident led to Hayes’ resignation and he never coached again.

The younger Ratchford was playing football and attending Gaffney High games on a regular basis as a youngster. The program has one of the most successful resumes in South Carolina, having won 18 state titles and produced close to a dozen NFL players, including former All-Pro receiver Sidney Rice.

“My grandpa took us to every game,” Ratchford said. “Watching all those great players made me want to push to be successful too.”

Ratchford worked with the Gaffney junior varsity as a freshman before landing a spot on the varsity the following season. Starting at middle linebacker for a 9-4 squad, Ratchford led the Indians with 67 tackles, recorded 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack and two interceptions in 13 games.

“I had a pretty good sophomore year, but I was just a baby,” Ratchford said. “I was the young guy on a veteran team and they really pushed me. Then, in my 11th-grade year is when my offers started coming in. That’s when I really thought I had a chance to play at the next level.”

Ratchford followed his sophomore campaign by again leading Gaffney in tackles (68) while ranking second in tackles for loss (18) and fourth in sacks (4). The performance earned him All-Upstate region honors from the Greenville News.

Football isn’t the only sport Ratchford has excelled in at Gaffney. He was also a valuable member of the boys’ basketball team last season, averaging 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds. His effort on the hardcourt earned him the Coaches’ Award for basketball.

Although he’s been a middle linebacker during his career at Gaffney, Ratchford will move to an edge position when he reaches East Carolina. The change will cause some adjustments for Ratchford.

“I’ll probably need to work on pass-rushing things,” Ratchford said. “I think I can play any position they put me in. But here I’ve played in the middle and because I’m taller they use me a lot in pass coverage. But I’ve worked on getting faster and more explosive since last year, and improved my game sense. I’ve got the varsity experience two years and I recognize things a lot of my younger teammates can’t. So I feel like those things will help me make the transition to an edge position easier when I get to ECU.”

Ratchford plans to graduate early from Gaffney and hopes to enroll at ECU in January 2026.