Ethan Singletary inherited a family trait that has created a path to major college football.

Singletary is a 6-foot, 180-pound receiver at Irmo High School outside Columbia, SC, who joined a group of 16 prep prospects giving East Carolina verbal commitments during the month of June. He made his pledge on June 13 while on campus during an official recruiting visit, choosing the Pirates over other scholarship offers from Campbell, Furman, Kent State, James Madison, North Greenville, Richmond and Temple.

East Carolina receivers coach Juan Soto traveled to Irmo High in May to watch Singletary work out. Soto was so impressed, he offered Singletary a scholarship on the spot.

“I loved everything about East Carolina even before I got an offer,” Singletary said. “I knew a lot of players there. (Former ECU receiver) Yannick Smith is a guy I kept up with. So I definitely already had an interest (in ECU).”

One of the assets that immediately caught Soto’s attention was Singletary’s speed. Singletary is one of the top sprinters in South Carolina, having finished third in the state 100-meter dash (10.68 seconds) and fourth in the 200 (21.66) as a junior.

It’s a talent Singletary has come by naturally. His father, Shamus Singletary, was an All-American sprinter for the University of South Carolina in the early 2000s. Shamus Singletary was a consistent contender during Southeastern Conference meets in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and achieved All-American status in 2001 as part of the Gamecocks 4×100-meter relay team.

“He still thinks he can beat me, but I don’t think he can get me anymore,” the younger Singletary joked.

Singletary’s speed played a key role in helping Irmo High to a 12-2 finish and reached the state Class 5A Division II championship game. The Yellow Jackets were taken down in the state finals by a Northwestern team led by Singletary’s future East Carolina teammate, quarterback Xavier Means.

For the season, Singletary made 20 catches for almost 500 yards in his second year as a varsity starter at Irmo. The year was highlighted by a four-catch, 160-yard performance in a 59-21 rout of Myrtle Beach early in the season.

“Outside of my speed, I definitely know my route running, I’m able to create space and make catches in traffic,” Singletary said in describing his skills as a receiver. “But creating space is my main thing, and making contested catches. That’s how East Carolina wants to utilize me. They want me to stretch the field on the inside or outside.”

Singletary also displayed his skills as a kick returner in the fourth game of the year against Carolina Forest. In the first half, with the score tied at 7, Singletary hauled in a kickoff on the hash at the 22-yard line. He cut across the field, avoiding contact, then sailed up the right sideline for a 78-yard kickoff return.

“That showed I can also be a weapon on special teams,” Singletary said. “I used my speed and my vision to make a big play.”

The combination of receiving and special teams talents had James Madison and Temple making strong overtures to Singletary during the recruiting process. He actually took an official visit to Temple the weekend before his trip to Greenville on June 11. Heading into his official visit to ECU, Singletary already had an idea he would choose the Pirates.

“I already kind of had a clue I was going to commit going into the visit,” he said. “I had gone to Temple the week before I came up to East Carolina. It was definitely different than ECU. Temple was right in the middle of the city while East Carolina is a college town. The environment was completely different.

“Right when I got to Greenville, it was a no brainer. The conversations I had with the coaches, how they were going to use me and that they were going to throw the ball made my decision easy. I just love everything they are doing. And (head) coach (Blake) Harrell is a great guy.”

Singletary has yet to witness a game in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, but does plan to visit this fall. He is also on track to graduate early so he can enroll at ECU next January.

“That’s the goal,” he said. “Being an early grad will give me a head start to learn the plays, get in the weight room and on a nutrition plan.”

Until then, Singletary will continue his preparations for a senior season in football while also rooting on another stellar athlete in his family, younger sister Lailah.

Lailah Singletary, a guard, is the top-rated ninth grade prospect in South Carolina after averaging 24 points, nine rebounds and 3.8 assists for Irmo’s varsity squad as an eighth grader during the 2025-26 season.

“She is doing her thing right now, and I’m proud of her,” Ethan Singletary said. “She’s in Las Vegas now for her AAU team’s tournament. I’m excited for her.”