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Tracking the Stars of the Future

Football Recruiting Report
Tuesday, May 22, 2007

By Sammy Batten

Athletic QB Womack found his fit at ECU

By Sammy Batten
©2007 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.

Bob Eason recognized there was something special about Joseph Womack the first time he saw Womack on an athletic field.

“It was in middle school,’’ said Eason, the head varsity football coach at Northside High School in Jacksonville. “He was already taller than a lot of the kids and he was making plays. Our middle school had a pretty good football team and he stood out over there. So he was a kid I noticed almost immediately.’’

What Eason knew way back then has become common knowledge in Eastern North Carolina over the last three years as Womack has emerged as one of the state’s premier three-sport athletes. But it’s in football that the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder has received the most notice.

As a three-year starter at quarterback for the Monarchs, Womack has developed into an all-conference and all-area performer on the gridiron. His talents are so impressive that East Carolina extended an early scholarship offer.

Womack accepted that offer soon after attending ECU’s annual spring football scrimmage on April 14.

“It was just a good fit for Joe,’’ Eason said. “He has a great family and a great support system, and knowing they won’t be too far away will be great for him.

“He didn’t go into recruiting with any preconceived notions about any school. But he visited East Carolina, watched some practices and felt like he fit in there.’’

The Pirates were the first school to offer Womack a scholarship, although Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State were also showing interest.

Womack hails from an athletic family that had already contributed to Northside’s athletic success even before he arrived on campus.

Older sister Joanna Womack was a standout in basketball, cross country and track and field for the Monarchs. “She could have played college basketball somewhere, but she was serious about education and has focused on that,’’ Eason said. Joanna is now attending UNC-Greensboro.

Joseph Womack’s athletic career began as a ninth grader. He played quarterback for Northside’s junior varsity football team before moving in as a the varsity starter a year later.

“I think I’ve gotten better every season,’’ Womack said. “That’s my goal every time I step on the field, to improve my performance and to help my team win.’’

Womack was successful at both endeavors as a junior. He completed 55 of 124 passes for 934 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also added 478 more yards rushing on 126 carries for 10 more scores in sparking Northside to an 11-4 overall record.

Eason said ECU hasn’t decided where Womack will play in college. But he expects Womack will begin his career at quarterback.

“He’s played quarterback for us, but he also played a little at wide receiver for us last year and defensive back as well,’’ he said. “He’s just a really good athlete.

“He can really move. He’s got great moves. What’s hurt him (as a quarterback) is we run the football a ton. We throw it some. So he’ll have to get used to a different style of offense when he goes to college.

“I don’t think they’ve got any preconceived notions where they’ll play him. They’ll bring him in as a quarterback and give him a look. He’d make a heck of a receiver, too. He’s got great hands.’’

Womack becomes the first member of ECU’s recruiting Class of 2008.

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05/23/2007 01:38:35 AM

 

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