The 2026 football season is underway at East Carolina, at least the procurement of talent that will represent the Pirates next season.

The transfer portal opened Friday with Blake Harrell and staff looking to fill an extensive shopping list.

Obviously, Katin Houser has exited at quarterback and will be taking his talents to Illinois, according to an ESPN report Sunday.

Texas Tech back-up quarterback Mitch Griffis was scheduled to visit ECU on Monday.  Griffis struggled at Wake Forest after Sam Hartman transferred to Notre Dame. The Deacons fell to 4-8 overall and 1-7 in the ACC (last) in 2023 with Griffis starting nine games.

Griffis was replaced late in the season and ultimately left football for a year. The Red Raiders recruited him, and he made one start in helping Texas Tech to the Big 12 championship and a College Football Playoff bye.

True freshman Chaston Ditta had touchdown passes of 47 and 72 yards to Anthony Smith in a 23-17 Military Bowl win over Pitt. Ditta showed a lot of competitive spirit and will challenge for playing time going forward, regardless of who else is added to the QB picture.

Time is of the essence. Classes start for second semester on Monday, Jan. 12. Ideally, the Pirates would like to have transfers enrolled so they can take part in the learning process of spring ball.

Running backs

The 2025 running back room has certainly thinned out in the last month. Leading rusher London Montgomery never returned from Christmas break before the bowl game.  He ran for 742 yards on 156 carries with seven touchdowns as a sophomore.

Marlon Gunn Jr. finished his senior season with 18 carries for 50 yards in the bowl victory with a 68-yard touchdown called back for an inadvertent whistle.

T. J. Engleman, the third leading rusher, appears to be returning for the Pirates. Parker Jenkins, the fourth leading rusher in 2025, is back in the portal after playing at Houston in 2023 and 2024.

Davis bringing help

New offensive coordinator Jordan Davis didn’t have to go far to get some help at running back for the Pirates. Davis, who called the plays in a 49-47 North Texas win over San Diego State in the New Mexico Bowl, no doubt influenced Ashton Gray to come to ECU after a redshirt freshman season as the Mean Green’s No. 3 back.

Gray had 16 carries for 152 yards in the bowl game with two touchdowns.

Hankins hired

As the Memphis staff dispersed following Ryan Silverfield’s departure for Arkansas, Harrell hired former Tigers defensive coordinator Jordon Hankins to handle those responsibilities for the Pirates.

Memphis was in the top 50 in six defensive statistical categories during an 8-5 season in 2025.

ECU’s defense was mostly intact for the bowl game. All-conference safety Ja’Marley Riddle has announced he’s leaving. His loss is significant as a leader and performer for the unit.

The secondary has commitments from Christian Peterson of Central Florida and Ashton Levells of Florida International.

If Hankins needs any advice, Harrell’s office is just down the hall. Harrell came to ECU as defensive coordinator and has taken care of those duties in the last two bowl triumphs.

New look for offense

The ECU offense will look a lot different next season with the loss of considerable skill personnel as well as all-conference left tackle Jimarion McCrimon to N.C. State.

Anthony Smith has exhausted his eligibility but didn’t hurt his pro stock with his bowl MVP output — four receptions for 156 yards.

Wide receiver Yannick Smith, headed to Southern Methodist, missed the bowl. Top tight ends Jayvontay Conner, bound for Vanderbilt, and Desirrio Riles entered the portal.

New receivers coach

Juan Soto, assistant receivers coach at North Texas, will be joining the Pirates as the new wide receivers coach in a Davis-related move.

ECU is bringing in wide receiver Ja’Keith Hamilton from Furman.

Another target, tight end Ismael Smith Flores, is joining the Pirates from Texas-Rio Grande Valley.

Brock Spalding will be back for the Pirates after making 42 catches for 554 yards with three TDs during a 9-4 season.

Fast start

ECU’s emphasis on starting fast had real value this season.

The Pirates were 9-0 in 2025 when scoring first.

They got a 3-0 lead in the Military Bowl on a 42-yard field goal by Nick Mazzie with 11:36 left in the first half.

Winning dogs

The line on the Pitt game moved to ECU, plus 12.5, before kickoff from plus 6.5 as underdogs before the various personnel departures were announced.

The Pirates overcame the biggest point spread among any of the bowl winners this season.