Eighteen high school and junior college prospects joined the Pirates’ recruiting Class of 2026 during college football’s early signing period. Football Bowl Subdivision programs added to their 2026 rosters from Dec. 3-5 during the early period, which will be followed by the traditional signing date on Feb. 4, 2026.

Harrell, who was elevated from interim to permanent head coach at ECU last November, only completed the 2025 class that was started by his predecessor, Mike Houston. But in his first crack at recruiting players for the entire cycle, Harrell loaded up on prospects from the talent-rich states of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Ten of the 18 early signees hail from those states, including three of the four highest-rated according to 247Sports.com and On3/Rivals network.

The “Deep South Connection” also figured prominently among 11 signees who made verbal commitments to East Carolina during the month of June and remained loyal throughout the process. Eight of those were from the South Carolina-Georgia-Florida recruiting grounds.

The class is rated fourth among American Conference teams by the On3/Rivals network and seventh by 247Sports.com. The rating was affected by three late defections to ECU’s recruiting class. In-state wide receiver Rai’Shawn Elmore, from Porter Ridge High in Indian Trail, had made a verbal commitment to the Pirates last June. But Elmore, who would have been one of ECU’s top-seven rated signees, backed off his commitment on Nov. 16. He wound up signing with Michigan State. Likewise, offensive lineman Joshua Singleton, from IMG Academy in Florida, had been part of the recruiting class since early July. Singleton too, re-opened his recruitment in November but has yet to sign with another school.

The biggest surprise, however, came Dec. 3 when offensive lineman Michael Foster from Indian Land High in Lancaster, S.C., dropped out of the ECU class to sign with Clemson.

East Carolina’s 2026 recruiting class will grow over the next two months as Harrell and his staff dive into the transfer portal and continue to pursue other prep and junior college prospects.

Until then, here’s a player-by-player look at all the early Class of 2026 signees.

*Indicates January enrollee

Updates are in italics.

UPDATED SIGNING 1: *ETHAN WILSON, Defensive line (6-5, 240) North Pitt HS, Bethel, NC

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) Unranked.

(On3/Rivals network) Unranked.

(ESPN.com) Unranked.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked defensive lineman: Evan Powell (Class of 2025) was ranked the nation’s No. 109 defensive lineman by 247Sports.com and had an overall rating of 87.

Other FBS offers: Delaware, Eastern Michigan, Hawaii, Middle Tennessee State and Missouri State.

Recruiting tale: Funny how things work out. Wilson, who grew up in the shadow of ECU and has family ties to the program, looked like he’d missed the boat on a chance to play for the Pirates. But on Oct. 1 the Pirates finally reached out to Wilson with a scholarship offer. He still went on an official visit to Delaware (Oct. 23) before taking a look at ECU on Nov. 14. The Pirates convinced him to stay at home and added him to the early signing period list late in the afternoon on the opening day.

Career notes: Wilson was a three-year starter at North Pitt. … Burst on the scene as a sophomore when he made 111 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and three sacks in just nine games. … Also had 30 quarterback hurries and an interception. … Made an big impact on offense as a junior playing tight end. … He caught 55 passes for 1,003 yards and eight touchdowns. … This season he produced 90 tackles, 33 tackles for loss and 13 sacks on defense. … Was credited with 24 quarterback hurries and caused five fumbles. … Had received an invitation to play in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl.

Most recent FBS signee from North Pitt: Cornerback Quinton Person (Class of 2003) signed with North Carolina, where he was a four-year letterwinner.

Fun fact: Wilson’s father, Amos, is a member of East Carolina’s strength and conditioning staff. His cousin is ECU’s current defensive lineman Zion Wilson and uncles are former Pirates C.J. Wilson (2006-09) and Willie Smith (2007-10).

From the film room: Long, lean athlete who could develop into a rush end or even an interior defensive lineman depending on how much he grows at ECU. What I really found impressive on film was his motor. Wilson seemed to be playing at top speed and with great energy on every play. Lot of potential here in what could be the “sleeper” of the 2026 recruiting class.

UPDATED SIGNING 2: *CHRISTIAN HARRIS, Offensive line (6-7, 305) Hermitage HS/Garden City CC, Richmond, VA

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 20 JUCO Offensive tackle nationally.

(On3/Rivals network) Unranked.

(ESPN.com) Unranked.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked offensive tackle: Messiah Rice (Class of 2014) was rated the nation’s No. 32 offensive tackle prospect by 247Sports.com and had an overall rating of 89.

Other FBS offers: Florida Atlantic, Georgia State, Louisiana, Louisiana-Monroe, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Texas State, Troy, UTEP and Western Michigan.

Recruiting tale: It was a whirlwind recruitment of Harris by ECU. The Pirates didn’t offer a scholarship until Nov. 7, the same day he was taking an official visit to Georgia Southern. Harris followed that with a trip to Florida Atlantic before landing in Greenville on Nov. 28. The visit quickly put ECU out front and produced his commitment on the final day of the early signing period on Dec. 5.

Career notes: A two-year starter at Hermitage High. … Continued his playing career at NCAA Division II Virginia-Wise where he spent one season in 2023, but did not appear in any games. … Transferred to Garden City Community College where he played in one game in 2024. … Worked as a reserve blocker for the Broncobusters in 2025, helping a unit that averaged 34.1 points per game.

Most recent FBS signee from Garden City Community College: The Broncobusters had eight players sign with FBS programs in the Class of 2025, including running back Dejuan Lacy who signed with East Carolina.

Fun fact: In addition to Harris, the Pirates also signed his Garden City offensive line mate Bryson Esser.

From the film room: Harris is a gigantic human who is still developing as an offensive lineman. But there is a lot to like here. He comes out of his stance quickly, which is especially important when pass blocking. Harris needs experience but with three years of eligibility left should have time to do so at ECU.

*JOSH BATTLE, Offensive line (6-5, 285) Woodward Academy, College Park, GA

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 149 Offensive tackle nationally, No. 191 in Georgia.

(On3/Rivals network) 3 stars, No. 135 Offensive tackle nationally, No. 178 in Georgia.

(ESPN.com) 3 stars, No. 158 Offensive tackle nationally, No. 176 in Georgia.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked offensive tackle: Messiah Rice (Class of 2014) was rated the nation’s No. 32 offensive tackle prospect by 247Sports.com and had an overall rating of 89.

Other FBS offers: Arkansas State, Eastern Kentucky, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Georgia State, Liberty, Troy, UNLV and Western Kentucky.

Recruiting tale: The Pirates latched onto Battle with a June 1 offer, but had to fight off Georgia Southern and Western Kentucky for his services into July. Battle took official visits to Western Kentucky on June 6 and Georgia Southern on June 13 before landing in Greenville on June 19. Impressed with ECU’s coaching staff and facilities, Battle eventually joined the recruiting Class of 2026 on July 14.

Career notes: A four-year letterwinner for Woodward Academy, which played for a state title during Battle’s sophomore season in 2023. … Helped future Jacksonville State running back Lucas Farrington top the 1,000-yard rushing mark that season. … Played key role as the War Eagles reached the Final Four of the state 5A playoffs as a senior. … Multi-sport athlete at Woodward who also competed in track and field. … Had personal best of 36 feet 7 inches in the shot put as a junior.

Most recent FBS signee from Woodward Academy: Jerome Bettis Jr. (Class of 2025), the son of the former Notre Dame and NFL running back, is a freshman receiver at Notre Dame.

Fun fact: Woodward Academy currently has at least 22 former players on FBS rosters, including ECU’s Mike Wright.

From the film room: Battle is a physical presence with the perfect frame and reach. He makes a smooth transition out of his stance into pass protection and on runs drives defenders into the ground consistently. Like most young blockers, Battle will need time to develop in the weight room, but there is a lot to like here in what could be a future left tackle for the Pirates.

PRESTON BROADWAY, Offensive line (6-3, 270) Metrolina Christian Academy, Indian Trail, NC

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 257 Interior offensive lineman nationally, No. 78 in North Carolina.

(On3/Rivals network) 3 stars, No. 255 Interior offensive lineman nationally, No. 79 in North Carolina.

(ESPN.com) Unranked.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked interior offensive lineman: Cortez Herrin (Class of 2016) was rated the nation’s No. 43 offensive guard prospect by 247Sports.com.

Other FBS offers: None.

Recruiting tale: The Pirates got an early look at Broadway during his sophomore season while recruiting current Pirate Peyton Reeder. The interest led to an invitation to ECU’s spring football game in 2023 and subsequent visits to campus for games and other functions. Despite overtures from schools such as Charlotte and James Madison, Broadway made his only official visit to Greenville on June 12 and joined the ECU recruiting class on June 15.

Career notes: Came to Metrolina as a defensive lineman in 2021 playing on the junior varsity. … Moved as a sophomore to the varsity where he made 12 tackles in 10 games as a defensive end. … Reclassified academically and played a second sophomore season in 2023. … Began year on defensive line, but shifted to offensive guard just before the season started due to an injury. … Played next to future ECU offensive lineman Peyton Reeder all season and registered 45 pancake blocks … With Reeder moving on to ECU in 2024, Broadway emerged as an all-star performer, making 85 pancake blocks and not allowing a sack all season. … He earned first-team All-Western Conference and N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association all-state honors. … Had 24 pancake blocks in the season opener against North Raleigh Christian.

Most recent FBS signee from Gaffney: Offensive lineman Peyton Reeder (Class of 2024) signed with East Carolina, but delayed his enrollment until January 2025 while recovering from surgery.

Fun fact: Broadway, who was born in New York, is also a standout wrestler who was the state independent schools runner-up in the 285-pound class as a junior.

From the film room: Broadway flat out dominated defensive linemen at the state independent league level. He overwhelmed mostly smaller defenders with his size. But Broadway isn’t just a steamroller. He displays excellent balance and athleticism, fires out of his stance with purpose and always finishes his blocks. Broadway is versatile enough to play any of the offensive line positions, but his prep coach believes he’ll make an excellent center at ECU.

*TREY BURKE, Quarterback (6-3, 205) Spartanburg HS, Spartanburg, SC

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 184 Quarterback nationally, No. 49 in South Carolina.

(On3/Rivals network) 3 stars, No. 138 Quarterback nationally, No. 39 in South Carolina.

(ESPN.com) 3 stars, No. 94 Pocket passer nationally, No. 38 in South Carolina.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked quarterback: Mason Garcia (Class of 2020) was rated a four-star prospect and the nation’s No. 7 pro-style quarterback by 247Sports.com.

Other FBS offers: None.

Recruiting tale: Burke generated mild attention in recruiting circles, drawing only a single offer from East Tennessee State last January before ECU came into the picture. Pirate offensive coordinator John David Baker had his eye on Burke for several months before inviting him to campus for an official visit on June 19. During the trip Burke received a scholarship offer, which he took the Pirates up on three days later.

Career notes: An injury to the starting quarterback forced Burke, who himself had a torn labrum, into the starting lineup as a sophomore. … He completed 42 of 91 passes for 645 yards and four touchdowns in nine games. … The full-time starter as a junior, Burke completed 76 of 133 passes for 1,065 yards and 11 touchdowns in nine games. … The effort earned him All-Region 2-AAAAA status. … Those statistics improved to 118 completions on 196 attempts for 1,385 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior. … Burke also rushed 38 times for 103 yards and another score.

Most recent FBS signee from Spartanburg: Raheim Jeter (Class of 2023) is now a backup quarterback for East Carolina.

Fun fact: Burke received the Rhino Award as a junior given to a Spartanburg football player annually who has overcome obstacles in their life.

From the film room: Size. Athleticism. Arm strength. Leadership. Poise. Burke has all the elements of a good quarterback. He’s not a guy who’s going to do a lot of scrambling. But Burke stands tall in the pocket where he can scan the field and find the open receiver. He’s shown steady progress since stepping in as the starter at Spartanburg as a sophomore. If that continues at ECU, he could be a future starter for the Pirates.

*DAVID COLEMAN JR., Defensive back (5-11, 165) Camden County HS, Kingsland, GA

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 113 Safety nationally, No. 120 in Georgia.

(On3/Rivals network) 3 stars, No. 85 Cornerback nationally, No. 94 in Georgia.

(ESPN.com) 3 stars, No. 76 Cornerback nationally, No. 93 in Georgia.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked safety: Lucas Thompson (Class of 2012) was rated the nation’s No. 26 safety prospect by 247Sports.com.

Other FBS offers: Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Charlotte, Florida State, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, James Madison, Liberty, LSU, Mississippi, Purdue, Southern Miss, Tennessee, USF, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Recruiting tale: Coleman received some high-profile offers from the likes of Indiana, Tennessee and LSU from February to early June. ECU jumped in with an offer on May 14, setting up a round of official visits for Coleman to Appalachian State on June 6 and James Madison on June 13. The Pirates received the final official visit from Coleman on June 19, which convinced him to become a Pirate on June 21.

Career notes: A three-year varsity starter at Georgia state power Camden County, Coleman broke into the starting lineup as a sophomore. … He made 31 tackles in 10 games. … Followed up with an all-around performance as a junior. … Made 48 tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception on defense in 11 games. … Had four receptions for 115 yards on offense. … Was one of Georgia’s most exciting return specialists, racking up 762 yards on returns and scoring four touchdowns. … Had 603 yards on 21 kickoff returns and 159 on punt returns. … Produced an 88-yard kickoff return against Brunswick. … Was named Region Athlete of the Year for his efforts. … Had similar results as a senior, making 35 receptions for 664 yards and a six scores on offense (92 yards rushing and one score). … Had 333 yards on kickoff returns and 81 on punts. … Made 29 tackles, one tackle for loss and two interceptions on defense.

Most recent FBS signee from Camden County: Class of 2025 linebacker Aden Hall signed with UTSA.

Fun fact: Coleman will reunite with ex-Camden County teammate Ja’Marley Riddle at ECU. Riddle is a sophomore defensive back with the Pirates.

From the film room: Dynamite is the best way to describe Coleman. At any second he’s able to explode for a big kickoff return, make a clutch interception or drop a ballcarrier in the backfield for a loss. This guy has excellent speed, super instincts and is versatile enough to handle any of the secondary positions at ECU. A major catch for the Pirates, who fought off some big names to land Coleman.

*BRYSON ESSER, Offensive line (6-8, 295) North Lincoln HS/Garden City CC, Denver, NC

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 156 JUCO Offensive tackle nationally.

(On3/Rivals network) 3 stars, No. 13 JUCO Offensive tackle nationally.

(ESPN.com) 3 stars, No. 8 JUCO Offensive tackle nationally.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked offensive tackle: Messiah Rice (Class of 2014) was rated the nation’s No. 32 offensive tackle prospect by 247Sports.com and had an overall rating of 89.

Other FBS offers: Arkansas State, Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, Fresno State, North Texas, Southern Miss, Texas State and Western Michigan.

Recruiting tale: Esser’s original stop after graduating from North Lincoln High was FCS Richmond. He was redshirted by the Spiders in 2024, prompting his transfer to Garden City Community College in Kansas. ECU didn’t offer a scholarship to Esser until early October, so while he had other offers to ponder, the desire to play closer to home led him to take an official visit to Greenville on Oct. 16. A month later, on Nov. 6, he gave his verbal commitment to the Pirates.

Career notes: Esser was a stellar offensive lineman at North Lincoln where he earned all-conference honors as a junior and senior. … Was also selected to represent North Carolina in the annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas against South Carolina. … Helped Garden City Community College to a 6-5 mark as a redshirt freshman this season. … Helped lead an offense that averaged 34.1 points.

Most recent FBS signee from Garden City: Rock Caldwell (Class of 2025), rated the nation’s No. 5 JUCO cornerback, has played in every game this season at Utah as a reserve and on special teams.

Fun fact: Fifteen players from Esser’s Garden City squad have been offered FBS scholarships and eight have committed or signed.

From the film room: The tallest of ECU’s 2026 early signees, Esser has packed more than 20 pounds on since his prep days at North Lincoln. He’s now well equipped to handle FBS competition with the additional weight and experience competing at the top JUCO level at Garden City. Esser should step right in to compete for playing time at tackle this spring as an early enrollee.

*CHAD FAIRCHILD, Linebacker (6-0, 235) Lovejoy HS, Hampton, GA

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 124 Linebacker nationally, No. 141 in Georgia.

(On3/Rivals network) 3 stars, No. 84 Linebacker nationally, No. 100 in Georgia.

(ESPN.com) 3 stars, No. 18 Inside linebacker nationally, No. 69 in Georgia.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked linebacker: Kevin Merrell (Class of 2024) was ranked the nation’s No. 80 linebacker prospect with an overall 87 rating by 247Sports.com.

Other FBS offers: Boston College, Central Michigan, Duke, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Maryland, Marshal, Mississippi State, N.C. State, Oregon State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Troy, Tulane, UAB, UCF, Wake Forest and Western Kentucky.

Recruiting tale: Fairchild experienced one of most intense recruitments of any Class of ’26 signee. He received more than 20 FBS offers, starting with one from UAB shortly after his sophomore season. In late November 2024 he named a Top 10 of Duke, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas, Liberty, Mississippi State, N.C. State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina and Wake Forest. ECU finally offered in January 2025, but still didn’t make Fairchild’s next cut in April that featured Georgia Tech, Kansas, Marshall, Mississippi State and N.C. State. N.C. But the consistent pursuit by ECU defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge, who had been recruiting Fairchild for Auburn before joining the Pirates’ staff, brought him to campus for an official visit on June 12. Fairchild offered his verbal commitment to the Pirates four days later.

Career notes: A four-year starter for the Wildcats, he began his prep career by making 71 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss as a freshman in 10 games. … But it was as a junior Fairchild emerged as a true star, earning first-team All-Region 3-AAAAA honors as well as first-team all-state from the Georgia Football Coaches Association. … Was named Region 3-AAAAA Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. … Had 16 tackles and three tackles for loss in a state playoff game win against Northgate.

Most recent FBS signee from Lovejoy: Class of 2025 signee, Antoniyo Smith, is a freshman defensive lineman at Eastern Michigan. Smith has not played this season.

Fun fact: Fairchild and fellow ECU signee Jeremiah Roux attended middle school together.

From the film room: Simply put, Fairchild is a football player. He’s not flashy, although he does produce big plays on defense. But he does so by using a combination of natural instincts and raw athletic ability. His instincts allow him to diagnose plays and quickly get to the point of attack. He’s also a sure, physical tackler who rarely allows a ballcarrier to escape his grip. Fairchild is the real “steal” of the 2026 class for ECU because he has the makeup of a 2-3 year starter at inside linebacker.

*JA’VAUGHN HARGETT, Offensive line (6-5, 260) Southern HS, Durham, NC

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 124 Offensive tackle nationally, No. 42 in North Carolina.

(On3/Rivals network) 3 stars, No. 129 Offensive tackle nationally, No. 59 in North Carolina.

(ESPN.com) 3 stars, No. 136 Offensive tackle nationally, No. 51 in North Carolina.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked offensive tackle: Messiah Rice (Class of 2014) was rated the nation’s No. 32 offensive tackle prospect by 247Sports.com and had an overall rating of 89.

Other FBS offers: Appalachian State, Charlotte, Tennessee, Toledo, Troy, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.

Recruiting tale: East Carolina delivered one of the earliest offers to Hargett in March 2025. But while also mulling over offers from an impressive list that included Tennessee, Virginia Tech and West Virginia, Hargett opted to take his first official visit to Greenville on June 12. Without taking an official visit to any other school, he verbally committed to the Pirates on June 21.

Career notes: Hargett emerged on the scene at Southern as a sophomore when he played in 11 games as a guard and tackle. … Registered 21 pancake blocks. … Won Northern Lakes 2A/3A Conference Lineman of the Year honors as a junior when he produced 33 pancake blocks for a unit that averaged 505 yards of total offense and produced two 1,000-yard rushers. … Registered 27 pancake blocks as a senior.

Most recent FBS signee from Southern: Defensive lineman Isaiah Campbell (Class of 2025) signed with Tennessee and has appeared in six games as a backup for the Vols this season.

Fun fact: Hargett and current ECU freshman tight end Kaleb Morrow were teammates on the Oak Grove youth football team.

From the film room: Another massive blocker with the length to fit in at an offensive tackle spot. Hargett is surprisingly athletic with quick feet that allow him to pull and trap with ease. He’s still a “slim” 260, so he’ll need to hit the weight room hard at ECU. But Hargett is another versatile, athletic project that ECU seems to excel at developing.

*AMARE MACK, Defensive back (5-11, 175) University Christian HS, Jacksonville, FL

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 211 Cornerback nationally, No. 264 in Florida.

(On3/Rivals network) 3 stars, No. 225 Cornerback nationally, No. 280 in Florida.

(ESPN.com) Unranked.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked cornerback: Antione Jackson (Class of 2023) was rated a four-star prospect and the nation’s No. 28 cornerback prospect by Rivals.com.

Other FBS offers: Arkansas State, Army, Air Force, Florida International, Georgia State and Navy.

Recruiting tale: Bethune-Cookman was the first school to offer Mack in October 2024. But between January and May of 2025 he saw nine more programs extend offers, including East Carolina (May 26). Mack took official visits to Arkansas State (June 12) and Georgia State (June 20), the latter of which resulted in a verbal commitment to Panthers on June 23. But the ECU coaching staff continued their efforts and eventually got Mack to campus for an official visit on Nov. 7. Two days later Mack backed off his pledge to Georgia State and on Nov. 12 committed to the Pirates.

Career notes: Enjoyed a four-year varsity career at University Christian playing on both sides of the ball. … Played in nine varsity games as a freshman, making five tackles on defense and nine receptions for 112 yards on offense. … Appeared in eight games as a sophomore, contributing seven tackles on defense and 11 catches for 221 yards and four touchdowns on offense. … Had a breakout season as a junior to help University Christian reach the state 1A regionals. … Made 32 tackles and two interceptions on defense that season. … Also caught 39 passes for 772 yards and eight scores on offense. … Registered 30 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and four interceptions as a senior. … Caught 20 passes for 499 yards and seven touchdowns on offense.

Most recent FBS signee from University Christian: Receiver Jenoa Alford (Class of 2025) is a freshman at Massachusetts.

Fun fact: Mack’s brother Jabari played two seasons as a defensive back at Jacksonville State and is now a starting cornerback at Louisville.

From the film room: Mack is an “in-your-face” corner who can turn his hips on a dime and be at full speed. That allows him to handle deep threats or make up ground when quickly when plays develop at the line of scrimmage. Because he’s played receiver in high school, he has good hands that set him up to make interceptions when the ball is in his zone.

*XAVIER MASSEY, Offensive line (6-3, 290) South Sumter HS, Bushnell, FL

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 261 Interior offensive lineman nationally, No. 297 in Florida.

(On3/Rivals network) 3 stars, No. 260 Interior offensive lineman nationally, No. 303 in Florida.

(ESPN.com) Unranked.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked interior offensive lineman: Cortez Herrin (Class of 2016) was rated the nation’s No. 43 offensive guard prospect by 247Sports.com.

Other FBS offers: Georgia State.

Recruiting tale: Massey wasn’t receiving a great deal of recruiting attention in mid-summer, which led to him making a verbal commitment to FCS N.C. Central. But ECU came calling and offered him a chance to come to campus for an official visit on Nov. 7. The visit led Massey to back off his pledge to NCCU on Nov. 9 and a day later the Pirates offered a scholarship, which he promptly accepted.

Career notes: A starter for two seasons at South Sumter. … As a junior, played for an offense that averaged 5.6 yards per rush and tallied 30 touchdowns on the ground. … This season the Raiders averaged five yards per rush. … Selected to play in the FACA North/South all-star game.

Most recent FBS signee from South Sumter: Texas A&M signed South Sumter alum Rashad Johnson Jr. (Class of 2025), the nation’s No. 5-ranked safety prospect.

From the film room: “Work ethic” are the words constantly spoken to describe Massey by his coaches at South Sumter. His tireless training efforts have made him a solid pass protector and a force to be reckoned with on run plays. Coming from a strong program at South Sumter, Massey has found himself going against major college talent week after week, so he won’t be intimidated at the next level.

*DIJIMON MCLENDON, Defensive back (5-11, 175) Tucker HS, Tucker, GA

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 88 Safety nationally, No. 103 in Georgia.

(On3/Rivals network) 3 stars, No. 102 Safety nationally, No. 107 in Georgia.

(ESPN.com) 3 stars, No. 58 Safety nationally, No. 90 in Georgia.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked safety: Lucas Thompson (Class of 2012) was rated the nation’s No. 26 safety prospect by 247Sports.com.

Other FBS offers: Alabama, Arkansas State, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Colorado, Connecticut, FIU, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Memphis, Michigan, Michigan State, Miami of Ohio, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Troy, UCF, USF, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Western Kentucky and Western Michigan.

Recruiting tale: McLendon reeled in more than 30 scholarship offers, including those from college powers such as Alabama, Indiana, Michigan and Mississippi. But it came down to three schools in the end – Connecticut, Georgia Southern and East Carolina. McLendon took official visits to all three programs in June with ECU getting the last one on June 19. The Pirates made that visit pay off, receiving a verbal pledge from McLendon on June 24.

Career notes: Rotating between corner and safety during his Tucker career, McLendon was a three-year varsity starter. … Made 16 tackles and a tackle for loss as a sophomore. … Became a true star as a junior when he ranked second on the team with 68 tackles. … Also added a tackle for loss in 11 games. … Was again a major factor on defense for Tucker as a senior, making 54 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and an interception. … On offense, made six catches for 49 yards.

Most recent FBS signee from Tucker: Both safety Elijah Ffrench and offensive tackle Ike Turner from the Class of 2025 signed to play with Georgia Southern.

Fun fact: McLendon’s head coach at Tucker is Lonnie Jones, who for 13 seasons led the High Point Central program in North Carolina.

From the film room: A versatile corner-safety who is expected to play safety for the Pirates, McLendon isn’t the biggest of DBs. But he strikes like a missile, literally launching himself into ballcarriers. He also has the speed and agility to blanket receivers. As an added attraction, McLendon is also a strong special teams player capable of blocking kicks or working as a return man.

*L.J. PORTER, Linebacker (6-0, 215) Hough HS, Cornelius, NC

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 126 Athlete nationally, No. 58 in North Carolina.

(On3/Rivals network) 3 stars, No. 169 Inside linebacker nationally, No. 59 in North Carolina.

(ESPN.com) 3 stars, No. 68 Inside linebacker nationally, No. 61 in North Carolina.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked linebacker: Kevin Merrell (Class of 2024) was ranked the nation’s No. 80 linebacker prospect with an overall 87 rating by 247Sports.com.

Other FBS offers: Appalachian State, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Connecticut, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, James Madison, Liberty, Miami of Ohio, Missouri, Old Dominion, Tennessee and Troy.

Recruiting tale: ECU joined the recruiting battle for Porter last winter while he was still enrolled at state independent school powerhouse Charlotte Christian School. Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Josh Aldridge stopped by the school in late January to extend a scholarship offer in person. The offer led to an official visit to Greenville on June 19 and put the Pirates in a final-four list released by Porter in mid-July that also included James Madison, Liberty and Sacramento State. But ECU became the frontrunner immediately after the official visit and eventually gained Porter’s verbal commitment on August 1.

Career notes: Started his high school career at state independent power Charlotte Christian where he played safety on the varsity as a freshman. … Appearing in nine games for a 10-3 squad that season, Porter made 58 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks and three interceptions. … Spending most of his playing time again at safety as a sophomore, Porter collected 92 tackles and nine tackles for loss in eight games to earn first-team All-Big South Conference honors. … Second-team all-state honors from HighSchoolOT.com followed last season when Porter made 88 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, a sack and two interceptions. … Porter opted to transfer to Hough for his final prep season where as a hybrid linebacker-safety he made 48 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.

Most recent FBS signee from Hough: Defensive lineman Ledarrion Menter (Class of 2025) has earned a letter as a true freshman at Old Dominion this season.

Fun fact: Porter received his first scholarship offer from Tennessee while still in middle school.

From the film room: Lightning quick, Porter does everything at top speed on the football field. He doesn’t look especially big on film for an inside linebacker, but when he arrives at the point of attack he delivers vicious hits. Like some of the other linebackers in this class, Porter is going to fit in immediately at ECU, either on special teams or as a reserve.

*DAWSON QUARTERMAN, Receiver (6-4, 210) Grayson HS, Loganville, GA

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 142 Receiver nationally, No. 109 in Georgia.

(On3/Rivals network) 3 stars, No. 168 Receiver nationally, No. 114 in Georgia.

(ESPN.com) 3 stars, No. 178 Receiver nationally, No. 138 in Georgia.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked receiver: Jabril Solomon (Class of 2014) was rated the nation’s No. 67 receiver prospect by 247Sports.com.

Other FBS offers: Arkansas State, Ball State, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Georgia State, Kennesaw State, Kentucky, Nebraska, Temple, Toledo, Troy, Tulane, Wake Forest and West Virginia.

Recruiting tale: East Carolina joined in with a second wave of offers extended to Quarterman in February 2025. He’d already received offers from Georgia State, Kentucky, Temple and USF in 2024, but as the summer of ’25 approached he seemed focused on ECU and Florida International. He took official visits to both places in June before the Pirates earned his verbal pledge on June 22.

Career notes: Caught six passes for 80 yards and a touchdown in three games as a sophomore at state power St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. … Moved over to Miami Norland as a junior. … In 10 games at Norland, Quarterman caught 35 passes for 624 yards and five touchdowns. … Had four catches for 145 yards and two scores in one game against Archbishop McCarthy. … As a senior at Grayson High in Loganville, Ga., he made 52 catches for 845 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games. … Produced three games over 100 yards receiving, highlighted by an eight-catch, 143-yard, two-touchdown performance against Newton.

Most recent FBS signee from Grayson: Four-star offensive tackle Nick Brooks (Class of 2025) has made three starts so far as a true freshman this season at Texas.

Fun fact: Eight players from Grayson signed with FBS programs in the Class of 2025, and 10 from the class of 2026 have committed to FBS teams. The latter include the nation’s No. 2-ranked linebacker prospect, Tyler Atkinson, who is committed to Texas.

From the film room: A tall, lanky outside receiver who specializes in the catching the deep ball. A fluid runner with good hands, he can be a major mismatch for smaller corners trying to cover him. Quarterman’s speed allows him to stretch the field, but he’s not shy about catching balls across the middle either. It’s easy to see the potential for Quarterman making a quick impact on ECU’s receiving corps.

*ZYON RATCHFORD, Edge (6-3, 215) Gaffney HS, Gaffney, SC

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 210 Inside linebacker nationally, No. 42 in South Carolina.

(On3/Rivals network) 3 stars, No. 149 Edge nationally, No. 32 in South Carolina.

(ESPN.com) 3 stars, No. 89 Inside linebacker nationally, No. 37 in South Carolina.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked defensive lineman: Traveon Freshwater (Class of 2019) was rated the nation’s No. 7 weakside defensive end by Rivals.com.

Other FBS offers: Appalachian State, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina and USF.

Recruiting tale: ECU had been corresponding with Ratchford and teammate Kelton Smith. But Ratchford’s recruitment by the Pirates took a turn in mid-May when outside linebacker coach Rico Zachary watched Ratchford in a football showcase event. Zachary extended a scholarship offer to Ratchford in person on May 22. He would take official visits to Coastal Carolina (6/16), Appalachian State (5/30) and USF (3/13) before deciding to accept ECU’s offer on July 1.

Career notes: Working at mostly middle linebacker during his Gaffney career, Ratchford played with the junior varsity as a freshman. … He moved to the varsity as a sophomore, earning a starting job with a 9-4 club. … Ratchford led the Indians that season with 67 tackles, recorded 4.5 tackles for loss, had a sack and an interception in 13 games. … He followed up that sophomore campaign by leading Gaffney against in tackles (68), while ranking second in tackles for loss (18) and fourth in sacks (4). … The Greenville News awarded him All-Upstate honors for the performance. … Notched double-digit tackles in six of 13 games as a senior. … Had 105 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions for the season.

Most recent FBS signee from Gaffney: Four-star offensive lineman Shedrick Sarratt Jr. (Class of 2025) has appeared in 10 games this season as a freshman for South Carolina.

Fun fact: Ratchford was also a valuable member of the Gaffney basketball team. He averaged 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds as a junior to earn the Coaches’ Award.

From the film room: A fast, explosive athlete who displays good game sense. That’s the first things you notice about Ratchford on film. He makes plays from sideline to sideline, and even looks good dropping into pass coverage. But the Pirates have recruited Ratchford as an edge pass rusher, so there will be a learning curve on those techniques when he reaches Greenville because he wasn’t used in that capacity at Gaffney.

*JEREMIAH ROUX, Linebacker (6-3, 215) Mundy’s Mill HS, Jonesboro, GA

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 110 Athlete nationally, No. 165 in Georgia.

(On3/Rivals network) 3 stars, No. 69 Athlete nationally, No. 190 in Georgia.

(ESPN.com) 3 stars, No. 99 Athlete nationally, No. 172 in Georgia.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked edge: Kevin Merrell (Class of 2024) was ranked the nation’s No. 80 linebacker prospect with an overall 87 rating by 247Sports.com.

Other FBS offers: Appalachian State, Buffalo, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Memphis, Tennessee State, Troy, UAB, USF, Wake Forest and Western Kentucky,

Recruiting tale: An all-around performance by Roux as a junior led to a wave of scholarship offers between January 2025 and April. ECU came into the picture last December when outside linebacker coach, Rico Zachary, came by Mundy’s Mill for a visit. Defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge returned in the spring and “after the third or fourth practice in the spring Coach Aldridge came and offered me,” according to Roux. He narrowed his list of options in early June to ECU, Troy, Western Kentucky, Memphis, UAB, USF, Georgia Tech and Georgia State. After official visits to USF on June 6 and Georgia Tech on June 13, Roux made his way to Greenville on June 19. The ECU players, school and town of Greenville made a strong impression on Roux during the visit, resulting in his commitment on June 30.

Career notes: After a two-game, two-tackle stint with the varsity as a freshman, Roux became a jack-of-all-trades for the Tigers as a sophomore. … He completed one pass for four yards, caught two passes for 19 yards, averaged 33 yards on five punts and made 18 tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception in nine games. … Roux was even more active as a junior. … He made 34 tackles and a tackle for loss in 10 games on defense. … He completed five of 10 passes for 27 yards, rushed 22 times for 45 yards and a touchdown, had 38 receptions for 540 yards and two scores, produced 112 yards on kickoff returns and averaged 26.2 per punt. … The performance earned Roux Iron Man of the Year honors for Region 3-AAAA. … Was named to the All-Region 3-AAAA squad as a senior.

Most recent FBS signee from Mundy’s Mill: Linebacker Joshua Ofor (Class of 2024), who made an official visit to East Carolina during his recruitment, wound up signing with N.C. State.

Fun fact: Roux’s brother, Kendrick DuJour, is a junior defensive lineman for East Carolina this fall after transferring in from Sam Houston State.

From the film room: This guy can do it all. From catching the ball to punting it, Roux has that rare type of versatility that enables him to excel at any position. But at ECU he’ll be an outside linebacker where his speed, quickness and sure tackling should immediately make him an asset for the Pirates on special teams.

*TERANDE SPENCER, Edge (6-3, 235) Richmond Senior HS, Rockingham, NC

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 63 Edge nationally, No. 26 in North Carolina.

(On3/Rivals network) 3 stars, No. 67 Edge nationally, No. 24 in North Carolina.

(ESPN.com) 3 stars, No. 78 Defensive end nationally, No. 22 in North Carolina.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked edge: Traveon Freshwater (Class of 2019) was rated the nation’s No. 7 weakside defensive end by Rivals.com.

Other FBS offers: Appalachian State, Charlotte, North Carolina, Troy and USF.

Recruiting tale: Despite an impressive resume on the field, Spencer’s recruitment really picked up steam last January when North Carolina’s new assistant for player personnel, Cory Giddings, issued a scholarship offer. The Pirates weren’t far behind with an offer on Jan. 21. Spencer entertained other offers, but after an official visit to Greenville on June 14, he became one of the first members of the recruiting Class of 2026 three days later.

Career notes: “Te-Rond,” as his name is pronounced, recorded one tackle in his only varsity game as a freshman at Richmond. … As a sophomore, he racked up 67 tackles, 87 tackles for loss and six sacks working mostly at inside linebacker. … Spencer earned Sandhills 4-A Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors as a junior when he made 101 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 17 sacks and intercepted two passes. … Despite behind held out of games due to injuries, Spencer made 91 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a senior in 11 games. … The performance earned him Mid-South 7A/8A Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors and a selection to play in the annual North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.

Most recent FBS signee from Richmond: Class of 2022 signee J.D. Lampley is now a starting defensive lineman at East Carolina and a four-year letterwinner for the Pirates.

Fun fact: Spencer’s father, Marcus, played football at Richmond Senior with current head coach Brad Denison.

From the film room: A big-time pass rusher who is a taller version of former ECU sack artist Nate Harvey. Spencer has a knack for finding the fastest route into the opponent’s backfield. And when he gets there, he can blow up a play before it even starts. But Spencer can do more than rush the passer. He has above-average speed and drops naturally into pass coverage when required. Physically, Spencer is ready for battle at the FBS level. He’ll start getting the mental part down in January when he enrolls at ECU. That early start could result in him seeing the field as a true freshman next fall.

*KELTON SMITH, Defensive line (6-4, 310) Gaffney HS, Gaffney, SC

In the ratings: (247Sports.com) 3 stars, No. 256 Defensive lineman nationally, No. 47 in South Carolina.

(On3/Rivals network) 3 stars, No. 212 Defensive lineman nationally, No. 40 in South Carolina.

(ESPN.com) Unranked.

ECU’s all-time highest ranked defensive lineman: Evan Powell (Class of 2025) was ranked the nation’s No. 109 defensive lineman by 247Sports.com and had an overall rating of 87.

Other FBS offers: None.

Recruiting tale: Smith is one of those “under-the-radar” recruits due to the fact he was playing eight-man football prior to his senior season. But ECU was one of the first schools to evaluate Smith last spring after his move to 11-man football at Gaffney and immediately invited him for an official visit on June 12. He was offered a scholarship on the spot and accepted it on June 15.

Career notes: As a sophomore and junior, Smith played eight-man football at Oakbrook Preparatory, a private Christian school. … Smith played offensive guard and center as well as defensive tackle as a sophomore. … He made 14 tackles and five sacks on defense that year in just two games. .. Worked as a tight end, running back and defensive lineman as a junior. … Rushed five times for 94 yards, had six catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns and made 70 tackles and 11 tackles for loss on defense. … Moved to Gaffney for his senior campaign where he played primarily at defensive tackle. … Made 25 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss in 11 games.

Most recent FBS signee from Gaffney: Four-star offensive lineman Shedrick Sarratt Jr. (Class of 2025) has appeared in 10 games this season as a freshman for South Carolina.

Fun fact: Smith was coached at Oakbrook Prep by former Clemson running back Chad Diehl.

From the film room: Smith is still a raw talent or a diamond-in-the-rough prospect. He is physically imposing and that size automatically makes it difficult for blockers to move him from his starting position. Since Smith has played only one full year of 11-man football, he’ll need some time to develop his technique and improve his strength before he’s ready for FBS play. But he’s just the kind of prospect ECU has consistently developed into productive performers over the years.