A connection with Appalachian State kept a major recruit from slipping away from East Carolina's new coaching staff.

The previous ECU staff under Skip Holtz established contact with South Brunswick High School defensive lineman Terrrell Stanley during a junior season in which the 6-foot-2, 266-pounder made 86 tackles, 15 tackles for losses and nine sacks. But after Holtz departed in January for South Florida, contact with the Pirates ceased as the new coaching staff was formed.

One of the first additions to the staff made by head coach Ruffin McNeill was hiring John Wiley from Appalachian State as ECU's defensive coordinator. Wiley spent 19 seasons working for the Football Championship Subdivision powerhouse.

Early in Wiley's time in Boone, the Mountaineers had a quarterback named Roman Kelley. These days Kelley is head coach at South Brunswick.

“When Coach Wiley got hired, I called him up,'' Kelley said. “I told him, 'I've got this tackle down here who the old staff was recruiting.' He asked for some (highlight) tape and I emailed him a link to some highlights.

“He (Wiley) called me 10 minutes later.''

ECU running backs coach Clay McGuire re-establish contact with Stanley immediately and a scholarship offer was forthcoming in late February. The Pirates subsequently nailed down a verbal commitment from Stanley during the last week of June.

Kelley said the play on the highlight video that grabbed Wiley's attention occurred during a state playoff game against East Rowan.

“East Rowan was an option team,'' Kelley said. “We had him lined up at end and he took on a big, strong fullback. He hit him in the chest and popped him up pretty good. As I talked to Coach McGuire, he said those guys (ECU coaches) said that play was what got them interested in Terrell.''

The Pirates didn't win Stanley's commitment without a battle. Arkansas and N.C. State also came through with offers, but it was Duke that was in the mix at the end with the Pirates.

“I kind of grew up liking Duke,'' Stanley said. “But when I went up to Greenville for Junior Day the coaches just made me feel welcome, like I was at home. The coaches and the players were great, and I felt like I could be around that for four years.

“I also looked closely at academics and what I could study academic wise. I have an interest in sports medicine and they have a great sports medicine program at East Carolina.''

The Pirates plan to use Stanley as a defensive tackle, although most of his three seasons so far as a starter at South Brunswick have come as a defensive end. He'll also see action at wide receiver, according to Kelley.

“We're changing his number from 56 to 8, so we can spread it out and throw to him,'' Kelley said. “He probably has the best hands on the team. We can throw fades or jump balls to him and he goes up and gets it. He's extremely athletic and has God-given size. And he plays with tenacity. He doesn't hide on the football field. He stands out.

“Of course, he's only about 260ish, weight wise. He's got to put on some weight before he gets to ECU. But he's got the frame to put it on.''

Stanley is the first defensive line prospect to join the ECU Class of 2011, but he probably won't be the last.

The Pirates suffered heavy losses on the defensive front after the 2009 season, including all four starters. All-Conference USA performers Linval Joseph and C.J. Wilson headed the group of departed stalwarts.