TRACKING THE STARS OF THE FUTURE
 

Football Recruiting Report
Wednesday, February 3, 2016

By Sammy Batten


Purvis finally got the offer he wanted

RAEQUAN PURVIS

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By Sammy Batten
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Raequan Purvis took a gamble that paid off with an opportunity he'd dreamed about.

A defensive end/linebacker from tiny Plymouth, a town of about 4,000 residents in Northeastern North Carolina, Purvis had wanted to play for East Carolina since making the high school varsity as a freshman. The Pirates had some interest as Purvis's senior season unfolded, but a scholarship offer never materialized.

So the 6-foot-3, 260-pounder entertained other options before deciding he'd likely accept a scholarship to play for a North Carolina A&T program that went 10-2 and finished ranked 21st in the Football Championship Subdivision in 2015.

Then came the coaching change at ECU with Duke offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery coming aboard in December to replace Ruffin McNeill as the Pirates' head man.

“The old staff was recruiting him as a linebacker,'' Plymouth defensive coordinator Cory Crossen said. “But the last conversation we had with coach Wiley (former ECU associate head and linebackers coach John), he (Purvis) was like the third (linebacker) guy on their board.

“But within about two weeks of the new staff coming in, we resent his highlight reel to Coach Montgomery. The defensive coordinator (Kenwick Thompson) came to our school last week to visit him and the next thing you know they're invited him up for an official visit.''

Despite Thompson's interest, Purvis still had no offer from ECU. He did have offers from A&T and Norfolk State, which caused some uncertainty about whether he should accept the offer to visit Greenville.

“He was stuck between the guarantee offer from A&T versus going to ECU where he was uncertain about what was happening. But I told him, 'You've got nothing to lose if you go to East Carolina. That's where you've always wanted to go. If they tell you no, you'll still have the other offers.''

Montgomery waited until Purvis was about to depart at the end of his visit to bring him inside the Ward Sports Medicine Building and extend a scholarship offer. Purvis accepted on the spot to become one of the newest members of ECU's recruiting Class of 2016.

Purvis's pledge was part of a whirlwind three-day recruiting blitz by Montgomery and his coaching staff between January 30 and February 1 that netted six verbal commitments.

None was more appreciative of his scholarship offer from ECU than Purvis, who helped Plymouth produce a 14-2 record and a state 1-A title as a senior. He contributed to the 28-20 win against Robbinsville in the state final by collecting seven tackles in the championship game.

The performance capped a prep career that began four years ago when Purvis showed up for his first workout with Vikings.

“He was a kid who passed the eye test even as a freshman,'' Crossen said. “We knew over time, if he got in the weight room, worked hard and developed, he could turn into something really special. And that's kind of what happened.''

Purvis received playing time as a defensive line reserve during his freshman season before earning a starting job in the 10th grade. Playing a hybrid defensive end-linebacker position as a junior, Purvis crossed the threshold into star player for Plymouth when he made 135 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

During the Vikings' run to the state championship, Purvis made 157 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. Crossen said a great example of Purvis's impact on Plymouth's team occurred in the state finals.

“He set the tone for us on the first couple of plays,'' Crossen said. “We ran a blitz on the first play and he smashes right through to drop the runner in the backfield. The next play we called a stunt for him and the defensive end and he made another tackle for loss. At that point, everybody just rallied around Raequan and that made them really believe they could win a state championship that day.''

But Purvis's contributions at Plymouth weren't limited to defense. He also saw action at tight end on offense and completed his prep career with 41 catches for 567 yards and five touchdowns.

Defensive line, however, appears to be the position Purvis will play at East Carolina.

“Right now size-wise and mentally, he's ready to play right away,'' Crossen said. “Physically, there might be a little more difference. But he's a very focused young man … has been since day one here. He told us when he got here his goal was to make it to the NFL. From the time he got here as a freshman, he's written 'D-I Purvis'' on the tape above his locker. He knew he wanted to play college football, so he's done everything it takes. He's worked out and got the job done in the classroom.''

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02/03/2016 02:06 AM