East Carolina Football Recruiting News: Recruiting Class of 2009

This page last updated 02.05.09.

Thumbnails are included for players that signed with East Carolina's football recruiting class of 2009, and annotated thumbnails are included for players that expressed verbal commitments during the recruiting process but did not sign.

Thumbnails compiled by Al Myatt.
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BOLD BLUE text denotes links to feature-length profiles by recruiting analyst Sammy Batten.

JIMMY BOOTH (6-3, 285) DL, Greenville (NC) Rose ... a chart-topping lifter in the weight room for the Rampants football program now coached by Greg Lipe. ... Rose was formerly coached by ex-Pirate player Greg Thomas. ... Booth projects as a defensive lineman at ECU. ... Rose program has been among the best in the state in the 4-A ranks. ... recruited primarily by offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler, whose own son, Kort, was a quarterback at Rose. ... Booth's present strength is stopping the run but he should become a more efficient pass rusher with work on his speed and refined technique. ... has also gotten it done in the classroom with a B average. ... wants to major in physical therapy and enter that field when his playing career is completed. ... commitment reported by the Greenville Daily Reflector on July 22. [Thumbnail posted 07.23.08]

MICHAEL BROOKS (6-3, 290) DT, Bartlett Yancey ... became the first player in ECU's 2009 recruiting class when he made a commitment in mid-April ... Initially spotted by ECU assistant head coach and defensive backs coach Rick Smith as Brooks was displaying his athleticism in a game of touch football following a weight room session at his high school ... coached on the high school level by Dennis Bannick. ... made three unofficial visits to ECU, including April 12 to take in the Purple-Gold spring scrimmage. ... Pirates were the first program to make him a scholarship offer. ... His God-parents lived in Greenville and familiarity with the town through them adds to his comfort level at ECU. ... N.C. State and North Carolina also showed interest. ... cousin of former Wolfpack quarterback Jamie Barnette. ... liked family atmosphere in Pirates program and team's recent success. ... Two-time defensive MVP for prep program. ... may also be used on the offensive line as a high school senior. [Thumbnail posted 05.07.08]

JORDAN DAVIS (6-3, 290) DT, Fort Walton Beach (FL) Choctawhatchee High School ... A team captain, three-year starter and three-year letterman for coach Greg Thomas’s Indians at Choctawhatchee High School … Earned All-Northwest Daily News (Fort Walton Beach) honors in 2007 and 2008, and was also selected as area’s offensive lineman-of-the-year as a senior … Chosen as a 2008 Pensacola Sports Association All-Star and played in Pensacola All-Star game … Recipient of Coaches Award after final campaign … Member of the 2008 “Dandy Dozen” list … Received prestigious FCA Challenger Award for Choctawhathree in recognition of character, leadership, integrity and excellence … Prep coach was former Pirate offensive lineman who also enjoyed a successful tenure as head coach at Greenville’s J.H. Rose High School … Earned three additional letters as member of CHS’s weight-lifting squad, a recognized sport program in the state of Florida. Personal: Full name is Ronnie Jordan Davis … Born February 9, 1991 at Fort Walton Beach, Fla. … Son of Ronnie and Jennifer Davis … Hobbies include fishing and producing films … Intends to major in communications with an emphasis in graphic design. (Thumbnail from ECU Media Relations, posted 02.04.09)

MICHAEL DOBSON (6-1, 185) S, Mount Airy (NC) High ... Committed to East Carolina on Aug. 19 ... Also received scholarship offers from Akron and Duke. ... two-way performer for the Bears ... ran for over 1,600 yards and had 82 tackles in 2007. ... Dobson scored 33 touchdowns as Mount Airy went 13-1 last season. ... coached by Kelly Holder. ... Dobson covers 40 yards in 4.5 seconds. ... projects as a defensive back for the Pirates. ... Mount Airy's only loss in 2007 was to Albemarle, 34-23, in the playoffs. ... Team scored 45 or more points seven times last season and posted six wins by shutout. [Thumbnail posted 08.20.08]

MAX HAY (6-7, 310) OL/DL, Burlington City (NJ) High ... coached by Tim Reardon. ... earned starting spot on offensive front as a sophomore. ... began seeing two-way duty as a defensive lineman as a junior. ... earned all-division honors in 2007. ... made an unofficial visit to East Carolina in July after being contacted by the Pirates in the spring. ... made a verbal commitment to ECU during the summer. ... Hay liked the campus and called it "a great place to concentrate on school and football." ... projects as an offensive lineman for the Pirates. ... Hay was greatly enthused about his commitment after ECU's wins over then-No. 17 Virginia Tech and then-No. 8 West Virginia. ... high school team plays him on the right side of its offensive front and gears much of its running game to his blocking. ... effective pass blocker as well. ... looking forward to contributing to ECU's building program. [Reported 09.25.08] <Editor's note: Did not sign with East Carolina.>

TY HOLMES (6-1, 207) S, Lexington (NC) High ... has started since his freshman season. ... had received interest from N.C. State, Duke and Catawba but the Pirates were the first program to make an offer. ... coached by Chris Deal. ... Yellow Jackets were 3-8 in 2007 with four losses by a touchdown. ... had two interceptions, 75 solo tackles and four sacks as a junior. ... had two touchdown receptions in 2007 but projects on defense at ECU. ... could bulk up to linebacker size on the college level, according to Deal. ... prep team lines up in a 4-4 and Holmes will be used some as a linebacker in 2008. ... liked the atmosphere of the ECU program and the manner of head coach Skip Holtz in making his decision to play for the Pirates. ... prefers to hit rather than make finesse plays. [Thumbnail posted 06.27.08]

TORRANCE HUNT (5-8, 170) CB, Durham Jordan ... a 4.25-second time in the 40-yard dash at a Nike combine in Baltimore in April greatly heightened interest in Hunt, who had 71 tackles, five interceptions and 14 pass break-ups in earning All Pac 6 Conference honors as a junior. ... Coached by Mike Briggs at Jordan. ... committed to the Pirates on Sunday, June 15. ... Hunt subsequently cancelled trips to summer camps at North Carolina and N.C. State. ... Senior season will be only his second on the varsity level for the Falcons. ... has just played defense at Jordan but will get a look as a receiver and returner at ECU. [Thumbnail posted 06.18.08]

PERRY JAMES (6-1, 180) CB, Davie County, Mocksville ... offered a scholarship by the Pirates after sitting out the 2007 prep season with a shoulder injury. ... coached by Doug Illing. ... selected to the Shrine Bowl but missed the game because of a staph infection in his palm. ... "fast, physical, aggressive defensive back," according to Illing. ... 4.4 second speed for 40 yards. ... made the Davie varsity as a freshman and earned starting position as a sophomore. ... ECU made scholarship offer based on James' sophomore film. ... Clemson, Illinois, Notre Dame showed late interest. ... fourth defensive back to commit to the Pirates. [Posted 01.09.09] <Editor's note: Did not sign with East Carolina.>

RIO JOHNSON (6-3, 180) QB, Sandy Creek High School, Tyrone, GA ... Chose the Pirates after receiving offers from Ohio and UAB, basing decision on a trip to ECU for a football camp. ... Also attended camps at Middle Tennessee and Miami of Ohio. ... Was scheduled for camps at Memphis, Duke, Purdue, Indiana and Western Michigan. ... 3-A Patriots went 7-5 under coach Chip Walker in 2007 with Johnson completing 67 of 122 passes for 946 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. ... ran 40 yards in 4.72 seconds and had a 33-inch vertical jump at an Atlanta combine. ... termed a pro style quarterback. ... recruited primarily by ECU offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler. ... committed to the Pirates on June 19. [Thumbnail posted 06.21.08]

JUSTIN JONES (6-8, 240) TE, Heritage High, Conyers, GA. ... rated a three-star prospect by recruiting services, Jones reconsidered an earlier verbal pledge to Kentucky and cast his lot with East Carolina on Jan. 23. ... Jones also had offers from South Carolina, Vanderbilt, UAB and Louisiana-Monroe. ... coached by Chris Pack, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ... had 11 catches for 115 yards and five touchdowns as a junior. ... has increased his bench press to 280 pounds and squats 485. ... runs 40 yards in 4.8 seconds. ... committed to ECU after a home visit from Pirates coach Skip Holtz and ECU offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler. [Thumbnail posted 02.03.08]

LAMAR McLENDON (6-1, 210) LB, Fayetteville Seventy-First ... coached by Bob Paroli, a former N.C. State player under Earle Edwards at N.C. State, Paroli has been coaching for 50 years on the high school level. ... McLendon earned All-Mid-Southeastern 4-A Conference recogntion as a junior. ... has started for three seasons for the Falcons. ... announced his commitment to ECU on May 21, as reported by Fayetteville Observer writer and Bonesville football recruiting columnist Sammy Batten. ... McLendon runs 40 yards in 4.5 seconds. ... Mobility and intelligence are key assets for McLendon, a rising senior, according to Paroli. [Thumbnail posted 05.21.08]

MATT MILNER (6-4, 240) TE/DE, Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons ... rated No. 20 tight end nationally by ESPN ... coached by Mike Sheehan. ... only offer was from ECU but was receiving interest from North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest at the time of his verbal commitment to the Pirates. ... bench press max is 330 pounds and has squated 575. ... runs 40 yards in 4.6 seconds and has a vertical jump of 32 inches. ... Rivals.com reported that he had 6 rushes for 107 yards as a junior, 11 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown offensively ... had 104 tackles with 11 sacks and an interception on defense. ... run-blocking skills are ahead of his pass catching experience on offense. ... Crusaders program competes in Mid-State 2-A Conference. [Thumbnail posted 09.12.08]

MIKE NAPLES (6-4, 220) TE, Somerville (NJ) High ... rated the nation's No. 46 tight end by Rivals.com and the No. 23 player in New Jersey. ... coached by Greg Arakelian ... had 35 catches with eight touchdowns as a junior. ... deployed as a wideout and linebacker as a senior. ... had a touchdown catch and was his team's leading tackler in a season-opening loss to Immaculata on Sept. 12. ... Naples received his first offer from ECU but got subsequent offers from Akron, Army, Cincinnati, Purdue and Vanderbilt. ... runs 40 yards in 4.6 seconds. ... projected as a tight end or H-back for the Pirates. [Thumbnail posted 09.18.08] <Editor's note: The Courier News of New Jersey reported on Dec. 15 that Naples had withdrawn his commitment to East Carolina and would accept a scholarship from Boston College.>

ZICO PASUT (6-3, 235) TE, Charlotte Ardrey Kell High ... coached by Marty Woolbright, who said ECU's 3-0 start in 2008 was influential in his player's college choice. ... three-year starter with 4.65-second speed on the track for 40 yards. ... caught 28 passes for 386 yards and two touchdowns as a junior. ... selected the Pirates over offers from Appalachian State, Duke, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Western Carolina. ... has versatility in the Kell offense, lining up in the backfield and utilized occasionally in motion. ... Woolbright expects Pasut to get bigger and faster with added maturity. ... ECU tight ends Davon Drew and J.R. Kraemer complete their eligibility this season. [Posted 09.18.08]

MARK POWELL (6-3, 198) LB, West Montgomery High School, Troy, NC ... A three-sport athlete at West Montgomery High School … Was a two-year football letterman who completed his prep career with 166 total tackles for coach Elbert Thomas … Booked 68 stops, recovered one fumble and accounted for three touchdowns as a senior team captain … Enjoyed standout performance as a junior, helping the Warriors establish a No. 1 state defensive ranking and state finals appearance … Credited with 98 tackles, six interceptions and two fumble recoveries … Earned program’s “Big Hit” award for tackle against Albemarle High School … Also lettered in track as an all-conference performer and state qualifier (400 relay) … Other letter came as shortstop in WMHS’s baseball program. Personal: Full name is Marke Quansha Powell … Born August 17, 1991 at Pinehurst, N.C. … Son of Chris and Rowena Powell … Intends to major in sports management … Says current Tennessee Titans’ running back Chris Johnson is favorite all-time Pirate player … Video games and working out are top hobbies … Lists Philadelphia Eagles’ Brian Dawkins as favorite NFL player … Acknowledges parents as most influential people in his career. (Thumbnail from ECU Media Relations, posted 02.04.09)

MIKE PRICE (6-2, 160) WR, New Bern ... cast his lot with ECU on July 8 ... helped New Bern to a stunning 28-17 win over seemingly-invincible Charlotte Independence in the 2007 NCHSAA 4-AA state title game, denying the Patriots an eighth straight state championship. ... received his offer from the Pirates after attending a one-day camp in Greenville in June. ... coached by Bobby Curlings ... also punts, plays defensive back and occasionally runs the ball for the Bears. ... caught 33 passes for 796 yards and six touchdowns as a junior. ... had a reception in state title game that helped spark a rally from a 14-0 deficit. ... finished with 104 yards receiving in the state final, scoring the go-ahead touchdown on a pass play that covered 37 yards. ... Price won the state indoor long jump championship as a junior with a leap of 23 feet, 7 1/4 inches. ... ECU made the first offer to Price but South Carolina and Virginia Tech were also showing interest. [Thumbnail posted 07.23.08]

KOREY REYNOLDS (6-3, 245) DE/TE, Northwest Mississippi Community College ... Reynolds signed with Hawaii in 2007 out of Hoover, Alabama, after initially committing to Houston. ... He had reportedly committed to Boston College this year but changed his mind after the Eagles dismissed its head coach, former ECU assistant Jeff Jagodzinski. ... Northwest Mississippi Rangers were 6-4 in 2008 under first-year head coach Ricky Woods. ... Memphis and Ohio also were interested in Woods as a transfer. ... projected as a tight end for the Pirates. ... runs 40 yards in 4.7 seconds. (Thumbnail posted 02.04.09)

GIAVANNI RUFFIN (6-0, 215) RB, College of the Sequoias (CA) ... went to high school at Virginia Beach Hickory and wanted to return to East Coast to complete his college career. ... physical attributes include 4.4 second time for 40 yards and 35-inch vertical jump. ... has 2.8 grade point average. ... recruited primarily by ECU running backs coach Junior Smith. ... had offers from Middle Tennessee, Texas-El Paso and Memphis. ... programs showing interest included Arizona, Arizona State and Minnesota. ... committed to Pirates on Saturday, Jan. 10. [Thumbnail posted 01.12.09]

WILL SIMMONS (6-5, 318) OG, Hertford County (NC) High ... running and working with a personal trainer has helped the Hertford behemoth shed 50 pounds since January, according to Bears coach Diego Hasty. ... ECU offered a scholarship in February and Simmons accepted on July 10. ... 3.5 grade point average. ... list of summer camp sessions included Alabama, Maryland, N.C. State, North Carolina and Virginia Tech. ... four-year varsity starter at Hertford. ... also competes in the shot put and discus for the track and field team. ... current strength is run blocking ... pass blocking should improve with development of footwork and better conditioning. ... has broad jumped eight feet, 11 inches. ... Hasty believes Simmons can play guard or tackle at the collegiate level. ... He will probably play some defense as well for the Bears in 2008. [Thumbnail posted 07.12.08]

DAMONTE TERRY (6-0, 189) RB, Scotland County High, Laurinburg, NC ... Committed to the Pirates, who made him an offer in April. ... based his decision on the success of the program and ECU's early desire to include him in the program's future. ... will be coached by former New Bern High coach and Pirates player Chip Williams this season. ... Was a key figure in the Scots' 11-3 season as a junior with 1,221 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns although he was limited by a knee injury. ... Has been on the Scotland varsity since his freshman year. ... the only other player to start for the Scots as a freshman was quarterback Russ Adams, who is now playing pro baseball in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. ... started at linebacker as a freshman and sophomore. ... Split time with Adrian Jones at tailback as a sophomore. ... Jones signed with ECU in February and will be a freshman for the Pirates this fall. ... Illinois, Maryland and South Carolina had shown interest in Terry, who had been coached previously on the prep level by Mark Barnes, who left the Scots for the head coaching job at Brevard High School in Transylvania County. [Thumbnail posted 07.10.08]

KYLE TUDOR (6-4, 220) LB, Lakeside High, Evans, GA ... committed to the Pirates on June 12. ... led Columbia County players with 109 tackles, including 32 solos last season. ... has penchant for hitting hard. ... Duke, Georgia, Louisville, Vanderbilt and several Mid-American Conference schools were showing interest in Tudor but ECU was the first program to make him a scholarship offer. ... coached by Jody Grooms, who formerly coached at Anson County in Wadesboro, NC. ... will make a move from safety to linebacker this season and is expected to play linebacker for the Pirates. ... plans to graduate high school in December and enroll at ECU for spring semester in 2009. ... Grooms credits Tudor's hard work and dedication. [Thumbnail posted 07.02.08]

SCOTTY WAYNE (5-11, 195) RB, Southern Guilford ... two-way player for the Storm who attended a camp at East Carolina this summer and subsequently accepted a scholarship offer from the Pirates. ... plays running back on offense and safety on defense for Coach Darryl Brown's program. ... runs 40 yards in 4.44 seconds. ... has bench pressed 255 pounds. ... his max in the squat is 385 pounds and his vertical jump is 29 inches. ... team went 9-4 in 2007 with a 4-1 conference record. ... Southern Guilford defeated Eastern Guilford 27-15 in the playoffs before falling to St. Pauls 43-27 in the second round. ... Duke, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and South Carolina had showed interest in Wayne, who committed to the Pirates in late July. ... an honorable mention All-Area selection by the Greensboro News & Record last year. [Thumbnail posted 08.04.08] <Editor's note: Last October, about two months after this thumbnail and its associated linked feature profile were posted, Wayne was killed in an automobile accident.>

KENDRICK WIGGINS (5-10, 173) WR, Southern Durham ... a speed burner with a 40-yard time a shade under 4.4 seconds. ... received a scholarship offer from Northwestern. ...Wake Forest showed siginificant interest but the Deacons wanted Wiggins to make a transition to defensive back. ... coached by Adrian Jones. ... had 491 yards in receptions and five touchdowns as a junior. ... caught 44 passes for 659 yards and four touchdowns in 2008. ... Wiggins also returned 16 kickoffs for 515 yards and four scores as a senior. ... outstanding student with a 3.8 grade point average. ... Shrine Bowl selection. ... made commitment to the Pirates on Dec. 20, 2008. ... [Posted 01.07.09]