Jeff Woods considers himself “a phenomenal'' tight end. The East Carolina coaching staff believes Woods can also be exceptional as an offensive tackle. The Pirates made a convincing argument to Woods that transitioning to offensive line at the college level is a positive move for his football future during a recruitment that started in earnest last January. That's why the … [Read more...]

One look at the first play on Keziah Everett's junior year highlight video – even though it didn't occur at Everett's primary position – should be enough to excite East Carolina fans about the future Pirate. Everett is a defensive tackle at Farmville Central High School, located just about 15 miles from the ECU campus. The 6-foot-2, 314-pounder, who is part of a strong … [Read more...]

Devontez Walker first talked the talk, then walked the walk when it came to playing wide receiver. Walker had shown promise at defensive back for West Charlotte's junior varsity as a freshman during the 2015 season. But a desire to play receiver prompted Walker to make a request of the coaching staff as his sophomore year approached. “We were heavy on receivers in the … [Read more...]

Call it love at first sight for Shemar Thompson and the East Carolina Pirates. ECU running backs coach Jason Nichols evaluated video of Thompson in early December last year during a stop at Walter M. Williams High School in Burlington, NC. Nichols was so impressed by what he saw of the 6-foot-1, 205-pound running back that the Pirates extended a scholarship offer mere days … [Read more...]

Nate Conner remembers the moment he knew C.J. Johnson was a special talent. Conner's D.H. Conley High School team was engaged in a late November, third-round state 4-A playoff battle in 2015 against Pitt County rival Greenville Rose. Johnson was just a freshman receiver for the Vikings at the time and played for the varsity all season, but had only four catches. “We had … [Read more...]