Even before receiving a scholarship offer from East Carolina in April, Phoenix Barnes already envisioned himself becoming a Pirate. "It was one of the places I had always thought I could see myself playing there,'' said Barnes, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound tight end from Jack Britt High school in Fayetteville, NC. Those thoughts became reality on June 13 when Barnes joined a … [Read more...]
CLASS OF 2027 RECRUITING FEATUREClass of 2027 starts with Miami prep QB star
James Perrone had started over in mid-May the search for a college football program that best suited his quarterback skills. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder from Miami, FL, had previously given a verbal commitment to South Florida last September. But a head coaching change at the American Conference school led Perrone to back off that pledge on May 14 and re-open his recruitment. … [Read more...]
FOOTBALL RECRUITINGLeague’s rosters undergo major makeovers
Roster change has always been part of college football as players graduate and new recruits are brought in as replacements. But the introduction of the transfer portal has dramatically altered the number of comings and goings for just about every major college program. The American Conference will again see a large number of newcomers when the 2026 football season begins. An … [Read more...]
FOOTBALL RECRUITING THUMBNAILSHeavy focus on secondary in defensive overhaul
The recruiting Class of 2026 will play a big role as East Carolina conducts a makeover of the American Conference's top defensive unit. The Pirates led the American in scoring defense (20.1 points), rushing defense (120.2 yards per game), fumbles recovered (14) and was second in total defense (351.0) and sacks (34) in 2025. But as the sun set on a 9-4 campaign, the program's … [Read more...]
FOOTBALL RECRUITING THUMBNAILSECU offense banks on influx of new personnel
"Starting Over'' might be an adequate theme for East Carolina's offense as it begins preparations for the 2026 campaign. New job opportunities, transfer portal departures, graduations and early declarations for the NFL Draft at the end of the 2025 season left gaping holes in an offense that was one of the best in the American Conference and played a major role in ECU's 9-4 … [Read more...]