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Tracking the Stars of the Future

Football Recruiting Report
February 12, 2009

By Sammy Batten

THUMBNAILS:  2006  •  2007  •  2008  •  2009

Who needs stars when you have talent?

By Sammy Batten
©2009 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.

Recruiting Links

BVL: Pirate Football Recruiting Thumbnails
Batten: Who needs stars when you have talent?
Batten: Kentucky's loss is East Carolina's gain
Batten: 4.4 'glider' ready for offense or defense
Batten: Speedy power back enlists with Pirates
Batten: Early offer to James pays off for ECU
Batten: Swift wideout runs into Pirates' arms
Batten: Ex-tackle found his calling at tight end
Batten: ECU O-line gaining more stature
Batten: First instinct held true for N.J prep star
Batten: Wayne destined for Pirates' RB corps
Batten: There's no place like home for Booth
Batten: Mom's motivation pays off for Price
Batten: Simmons savors war in the trenches
Batten: Terry evokes déjà vu for coach
Batten: Pirates lure Georgia "bone crusher"
Batten: Lexington LB steeped in football
Batten: ECU's football culture impressed QB
Batten: ECU recruiting effort picks up speed
Batten: Cumberland Co. pipeline still flowing
Batten: '09 recruiting starts with lithe lineman

Skip Holtz doesn't see stars when seeking talent for the East Carolina Pirates.

For many, the star has become a symbol for potential in the world of college recruiting. The more stars a prospect is awarded by the many Internet recruiting networks, the better his chances of becoming a success at the next level.

Or so the theory goes.

But don't tell that to guys like Davon Drew, C.J. Wilson, Van Eskridge, Jay Ross, Chris Johnson or Aundrae Allison. They are players who helped Holtz build the ECU program to a point that it won the Conference USA championship in 2008.

None of them earned more than two stars (five stars are given to top prospects) in the ratings produced by the two major networks, Rivals.com and Scout.com. Yet all enjoyed stellar college careers, and Allison and Johnson became NFL draft picks.

“We don't recruit off computers or off stars,'' Holtz said Feb. 4 as he announced his 20-man recruiting class for 2009. “I will recruit somebody who is not even on a Web site if he is in our (summer) camp and we can see him personally and see what he can do. If we think he can help us as a football team, then we're going to recruit him.''

Staying true to that philosophy, the Pirates didn't sign a player that either Rivals or Scout deemed worthy of more than three stars. Yet Holtz calls his latest signees “one of the most talented classes we've brought in here.''

We'll take the coach's word for it.

But like the gurus, we have opinions of our own here at Bonesville. So we hope the coaching staff will pardon any views that aren't complimentary. At least we're using grades instead of stars.

QUARTERBACK (B-)

WHAT THEY NEEDED: The Pirates have only three scholarship quarterbacks in the program presently, so signing one was a necessity and getting two would have been perfect.

WHO SIGNED: Rio Johnson (Atlanta, GA)

HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: Holtz himself made the comparison at the signing-day press conference. Rio Johnson plays the quarterback position in a style very similar to Patrick Pinkney. He's an accurate passer (61.5 completion percentage as a prep senior) and has the ability to make big plays by moving around in the pocket or tucking the ball and running with it.

Johnson's signing, in combination the addition of Josh Jordan last year, will give ECU a quarterback combo-of-the-future that's strikingly similar to Pinkney and Rob Kass.

BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: The only other known scholarship offer the Pirates made to a quarterback besides Johnson was to Danny O'Brien from East Forsyth High in Kernersville. ECU was the second to offer O'Brien, but he wound up committing to Maryland instead in June.

WHO'S BACK: The NCAA did the right thing for once and granted Patrick Pinkney a sixth year of eligibility. Pinkney should be the starter with senior Rob Kass waiting in the wings to take over should he falter. Redshirt freshman Josh Jordan is a player of great promise who will need to get some snaps this year as an investment in the future.

WHO'S GONE: Nobody.

NEEDS FOR 2010: With both Pinkney and Kass set to complete their eligibility at the end of 2009, ECU will have just two scholarship quarterbacks in the program. Signing two is essential to maintain proper program depth at the position.

RUNNING BACK (B+)

WHAT THEY NEEDED: Signing two was the goal, but the pre-season injury to Dominique Lindsay pushed that number up by one.

WHO SIGNED: Michael Dobson (Mount Airy), Giavanni Ruffin (Virginia Beach, VA), DaMonte Terry (Laurinburg).

HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: The Pirates secured some immediate help in Ruffin, who was one of the best rushing prospects in the junior-college ranks in 2008. Ruffin is capable of making game-breaking plays or he can pound the ball between the tackles. Terry is a big back in the mold of last year's starter, Brandon Simmons. The brightest future, however, may be in store for Dobson, a dynamic touchdown-maker who scored 68 times over his final two prep seasons.

BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: ECU essentially got all the guys at running back who made official visits. But the Pirates would have loved to have gotten a visit from 5-foot-11, 220-pound Shawne Alston from Phoebus High in Hampton, VA. They were among the first schools to offer, but Alston committed in June to West Virginia.

WHO'S BACK: You could say Norman Whitley had a breakout year for the Pirates in 2008. After struggling with a shoulder injury as a true freshman in 2006 and getting just six carries watching Chris Johnson run wild in 2007, Whitley finally began showing why he was such a heralded recruit. He led ECU with 698 yards rushing and is an emerging breakaway threat.

The man who was supposed to run with the first-team offense in '08 is also expected back. But how much of a contribution senior Dominique Lindsay can make after missing all of last season recovering from knee surgery is still uncertain.

Nobody really knows yet what's going to happen with Jonathan Williams, who was the team's leading rusher until being suspended in October after multiple run-ins with law enforcement. Senior speedster J.R. Rogers, plus fullbacks Kevin Gidrey and Ben Herlocker also return.

WHO'S GONE: One-time walk-on Brandon Simmons will be missed for his production – he led the Pirates with eight rushing touchdowns – and his leadership.

NEEDS FOR 2010: Signing three this time around will keep ECU well stocked for at least a year, as long as all three remain at running back.

WIDE RECEIVER (B+)

WHAT THEY NEEDED: Nothing really. The Pirates had a bevy of receivers returning in 2008, and only three will be graduating after the '09 season.

WHO SIGNED: Torrance Hunt (Durham), Mike Price (New Bern), Reese Wiggins (Durham).

HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: Torrance Hunt is one of those exciting athletes who creates a buzz every time he touches the football. He's a threat to score running, catching and returning kicks. The latter could make Hunt a candidate for playing time next fall. Wiggins is a bigger version of Hunt, who also includes the ability to pass on his resume. Price is a project, but with time and some pounds he could be a good one down the road.

BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: Quan Rucker was a teammate of ECU defensive lineman Antonio Allison's at West Iredell High School in Statesville. Rucker is an underrated playmaker who the Pirates extended an early offer to, but he committed to Wake Forest in July.

WHO'S BACK: Eight players who saw action in at least five games (some of it on special teams) are scheduled to return in 2009. Four of those registered 17 or more catches. Leading receiver Dwayne Harris is poised to challenge for all-star honors as a junior, while senior Alex Taylor and sophomore Joe Womack came on strong at the end of 2008 to earn starting assignments.

Redshirt freshman Jacobi Jenkins, sophomores Michael Bowman, Darryl Freeney and D.J. McFadden, junior Javon Brumsey, senior Reyn Willis and junior walk-on T.J. Terrell will also be in the large mix vying for playing time. Dayon Arrington, a February 2008 signee, has been enrolled and ECU since August and will hopefully be eligible to join the football team this spring.

Of course, the big question is whether or not Jamar Bryant will be allowed back on the team. Bryant was expected to be the leader of the receiving corps last season before being suspended indefinitely. It'll be a tremendous shot in the arm for the Pirates if they get Bryant back for his senior year.

WHO'S NOT: T.J. Lee could stretch a defense with his super speed, but he never really got untracked at ECU. Lee did grab nine passes for 136 yards as a senior.

NEEDS FOR 2010: The Pirates have an abundance of young receivers in the program, but they use a lot at times. Sign one up for good measure.

TIGHT END (A+)

WHAT THEY NEEDED: The young tight ends in the program hadn't distinguished themselves yet when recruiting began for this class. That, and the fact that starter Davon Drew was graduating after the '08 season, meant this was priority No. 1 in recruiting. Signing at least two prospects who could immediately challenge for playing time was essential.

WHO SIGNED: Justin Jones (Conyers, GA), Zico Pasut (Charlotte), Korey Reynolds (Hoover, AL).

HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: All three incoming tight ends will get a shot to earn playing time next fall. Reynolds probably has the best chance of competing for the starting job based on experience. He has a year of Division I experience under his belt at Hawaii and another in the junior college ranks. But Pasut, who the Pirates reeled in over West Virginia, and the 6-foot-8 Jones bring interesting talents to the table as well. This trio ensures the immediate future is secure at tight end at ECU for at least the next two years.

BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: New Jersey wasn't kind to the Pirates in 2009. ECU had verbal commitments from Mike Naples of Somerville and Dante Burton of Paterson at various points of the recruiting process. But Naples backed off his pledge and signed with Boston College, while Burton hasn't signed with anyone to date.

WHO'S BACK: Sophomore Michael Byrd saw action in '08, but most of it came on special teams. He didn't catch a pass. Sophomore Will Towery also returns, but didn't play in a single game last season.

WHO'S GONE: Davon Drew was ECU's second-leading receiver last year and its starting tight end for three seasons. Drew is expected to be one of the top tight ends taken in the NFL Draft in April. His backup, J.R. Kraemer, also graduated.

NEEDS FOR 2010: The three signees this year give ECU six at the position in the program. That should hold the Pirates for a couple of years. But if a good tight end prospect is available, they should still sign him.

OFFENSIVE LINE (C+)

WHAT THEY NEEDED: The Pirates needed to sign another center prospect with two scheduled to graduate after the '09 season as well as a tackle or two.

WHO SIGNED: Jordan Davis (Fort Walton Beach, FL), Will Simmons (Ahoskie).

HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: In Simmons, the Pirates signed a future star. The guy has an intense work ethic and a real desire to excel. He's versatile enough to play either guard or tackle, but we think he winds up at tackle because that's an area where ECU is short on bodies at present. Davis is a player who prefers defense, but will likely wind up playing offensive line for the Pirates.

BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: Offensive tackle Travis Bond from Bertie High in Windsor really liked East Carolina because of its proximity to home. Bond even took his next-to-the-last official visit to Greenville in January. But in the end he settled on North Carolina.

WHO'S BACK: Four letterwinners return at the tackle positions, including starters in junior D.J. Scott and senior Terence Campbell. The same is true at the guards where senior Doug Palmer should be an all-star candidate in '09 along with junior Cory Dowless. Senior Sean Allen will again hold down the center spot.

The Pirates also return experienced backups at all those spots in tackles Willie Smith (junior) and Travis Melvin (junior), guard T.J. Harper (senior) and center Stephen Heis (senior). Also expected to join the offensive tackle brigade this spring are “greyshirts'' C.J. Brown and Grant Harner, both of whom signed in February 2008 and are in the 6-6, 300-pound range.

WHO'S GONE: The Pirates lost just two players off the depth chart in tackle Stanley Bryant, who made five starts in 2008, and center Fred Hicks, who started twice.

NEEDS FOR 2010: Sean Allen and Stephen Heis graduate from the center position after the 2009 season, which makes signing at least two players there critical. The Pirates could also use two or three tackles and a guard. Offensive line should be a big priority all around in 2010.

DEFENSIVE END (C-)

WHAT THEY NEEDED: Five of the seven ends returning in 2009 will be juniors or seniors, so signing at least two here was important.

WHO SIGNED: Matt Milner (Raleigh).

HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: Milner produced more than 200 tackles as a defensive lineman his final two years in high school, so you know he's a mobile, active defender. He'll have time to develop more physically because of ECU's depth at defensive end, but he should be ready to contribute by 2010.

BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: The nation's top-rated defensive end, Donte Moss from Jacksonville, was virtually in ECU's backyard. But the Pirates and most other suitors never really had a shot at Moss because North Carolina wrapped him up early.

WHO'S BACK: First-team All-Conference USA pick C.J. Wilson is back for his fourth season as a starter. Senior Scotty Robinson, juniors Josh Smith and A.J. Johnson, and sophomores Andrew Farr and Maurice Mercer are all experienced players who will battle for the other starting job. Redshirt freshman Allen Crowder should be ready to compete as well.

WHO'S GONE: Zack Slate was a two-year starter and a team captain last year as a senior. Marcus Hands appeared in 31 career games at ECU, but injuries kept him from reaching his full potential.

NEEDS FOR 2010: Two seniors are scheduled to graduate following the 2009 season and there should be a pressing need to replace them.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE/NOSE GUARD (B-)

WHAT THEY NEEDED: This didn't appear to be a major priority because of the young talent already in the program at these spots. Signing one would have been significant to replace the graduation loss.

WHO SIGNED: Jimmy Booth (Greenville), Michael Brooks (Yanceyville).

HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: Brooks is a tough, physical, hard-nosed type that makes the middle of a defensive front. Holtz was already touting him for potential playing time on signing day, so his signing was significant. Booth plays with a similar style to Brooks, but may be a year away from contributing.

BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: Honestly, the Pirates got the players they wanted at tackle and nose guard. But they did pursue 6-2, 295-pound Eric McDaniel from Calhoun, GA, before he picked Purdue over ECU and N.C. State.

WHO'S BACK: Senior Jay Ross has started 24 straight games in the middle of ECU's defensive front. He'll be rejoined by massive junior Linval Joseph, who started nine of 14 games last year. Sophomores Antonio Allison and Robert Jones also saw significant playing time and will provide excellent depth.

WHO'S GONE: Khalif Mitchell was a superb athlete who would have started most of the last two years if not for injury issues. He made four starts last season before back problems sidelined him. The Pirates have also apparently lost redshirt freshman Anthony Garner, who has decided to transfer.

NEEDS FOR 2010: Signing one to replace Jay Ross would be a good move.

LINEBACKER (B-)

WHAT THEY NEEDED: Grabbing two or three linebackers every year is a good practice because they are valuable special teams athletes even when not in the starting lineup.

WHO SIGNED: Ty Holmes (Lexington), Lamar McLendon (Fayetteville), Mark Powell (Troy), Kyle Tudor (Atlanta, GA).

HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: These guys all look and run like safeties, which is what Holtz and his staff were looking for. They'll eventually morph into linebacker size, while maintaining their excellent speed. Tudor has already enrolled at ECU, so he could compete for playing time very quickly.

BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: Hibriten High School's Quin Smith received an early offer from East Carolina, but opted out to South Carolina last June.

WHO'S BACK: Senior Nick Johnson held down the middle linebacker spot for ECU last season, making 10 starts in 14 games. Senior Jeremy Chambliss made the same number of starts at an outside position. A host of others with starting experience are also scheduled to return, including junior Dustin Lineback, junior Matt Pick and sophomore Cliff Perryman.

Senior Chris Mattocks, junior Melvin Patterson and sophomores Steve Spence, Matt Thompson and Austin Haynes are other vets who make this one of the deepest areas on the team.

WHO'S GONE: The Pirates suffered a major graduation loss with three-year starter Pierre Bell's departure. They also lost Quentin Cotton, who was a starter before a knee injury cut short a promising senior season.

NEEDS FOR 2010: ECU doesn't necessarily need linebackers next time around, but signing one or two is always a good practice.

CORNERBACK (No grade)

WHAT THEY NEEDED: Nothing, and that's just what they got. Five players played in at least 10 games at cornerback last season and four of them had at least two starts.

WHO SIGNED: Nobody.

HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: By using scholarships at other positions where the need was greater.

BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: ECU received a commitment from Perry James from Davie County High in Mocksville, but he didn't sign a letter-of-intent. Keep an eye out for James, who could spend next year at prep school, or he might enroll as a partial qualifier at ECU and be ready for the 2010 season.

WHO'S BACK: Junior Travis Simmons started every game last season for the Pirates, while junior Dekota Marshall made 12 starts in 14 games. They should form one of C-USA's best corner combos in 2009. We can't leave out Emanuel Davis, who earned a boatload of honors as a redshirt freshman last season. Davis has the potential to be an all-star candidate in the very near future. Sophomore Derek Blacknall also appeared in 13 games last season as a reserve and on special teams.

WHO'S GONE: Nobody.

NEEDS FOR 2010: Nobody graduates from the cornerback corps until after the 2010 season, and there are a couple of more talented players who sat out last season that may join the group next fall. So signing anyone at corner isn't a big priority.

SAFETY (No grade)

WHAT THEY NEEDED: Just like cornerback, the Pirates are well stocked at the safety positions and didn't really need help this time around.

WHO SIGNED: Nobody.

HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: It didn't need help, unless Dobson, Holmes or McLendon wind up playing here.

BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: None.

WHO'S BACK: Senior Van Eskridge made 13 starts at free safety last season, while senior Jeremy Bullock, sophomore Julian Carter and sophomore Devon Wallace also logged playing time.

WHO'S GONE: Strong safety starter Leon Best and his backup, J.J. Milbrook, both graduated.

NEEDS FOR 2010: Sign at least two unless the Pirates switch Dobson, Holmes or McLendon to safety.

KICKER (B)

WHAT THEY NEEDED: The starting punter and placekicker for ECU will be seniors in 2009, so adding a kicker was important.

WHO SIGNED: Technically, he didn't sign. But Matt Millisor from Page High in Greensboro will be a walk-on member of the class.

HOW ECU HELPED ITSELF: Millisor has the ability to help immediately with kickoffs. But he's also a capable placement kicker and punter.

Recruiting Links

BVL: Pirate Football Recruiting Thumbnails
Batten: Who needs stars when you have talent?
Batten: Kentucky's loss is East Carolina's gain
Batten: 4.4 'glider' ready for offense or defense
Batten: Speedy power back enlists with Pirates
Batten: Early offer to James pays off for ECU
Batten: Swift wideout runs into Pirates' arms
Batten: Ex-tackle found his calling at tight end
Batten: ECU O-line gaining more stature
Batten: First instinct held true for N.J prep star
Batten: Wayne destined for Pirates' RB corps
Batten: There's no place like home for Booth
Batten: Mom's motivation pays off for Price
Batten: Simmons savors war in the trenches
Batten: Terry evokes déjà vu for coach
Batten: Pirates lure Georgia "bone crusher"
Batten: Lexington LB steeped in football
Batten: ECU's football culture impressed QB
Batten: ECU recruiting effort picks up speed
Batten: Cumberland Co. pipeline still flowing
Batten: '09 recruiting starts with lithe lineman

BIG ONE THAT GOT AWAY: None.

WHO'S BACK: Senior Ben Hartman is back to handle placements and senior Matt Dodge will again be the punter. Sophomore Ben Ryan stepped in last year for three games as the placekicker when Hartman was injured.

WHO'S GONE: Nobody.

NEEDS FOR 2010: Probably none, unless Ryan or Millisor disappoint.

Class Grade

When you look at how East Carolina fulfilled its needs, the talent it brought in, and the kind of immediate impact many of these players may have, it's clear this class was underrated by the experts. We give it a strong B grade, which is well above average.

Send an e-mail message to Sammy Batten.

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02/12/2009 04:22:43 AM

 

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