Thumbnail Sketches by Al Myatt.
Click on linked names to go to recruit profiles by Sammy Batten.
Number of signees to date: 20
Most recent update: 02.08.18 > Added linked to Al Myatt signing day report on Elizabeth, NJ, North Brunswick Township HS DE DORIAN HARDY
Note: Thumbnail sketches displayed in red font are for previously committed players whose recruiting statuses have changed.
HOLTON AHLERS (6-4, 235) QB, Pitt County D.H. Conley … Ahlers became the first commitment for East Carolina’s 2018 recruiting class on Monday, Jan. 30, 2017. … Ahlers threw for 4,503 yards with 51 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2016 as a high school junior. … He ran for 911 yards and 15 scores for a team that went 8-4 overall and 5-1 in the Eastern Carolina 4-A/3-A Conference. … The Vikings are coached by Nate Connor. … ECU wide receivers coach Phil McGeoghan was listed as the primary recruiter for Ahlers with Pirates quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Tony Petersen in a supporting role. … Ahlers also had offers from Charlotte and N.C. State. … Programs showing interest included Clemson, Duke, Elon, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Michigan, North Carolina, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and Wisconsin. … Rated a four-star recruit. … Morgan Ahlers, ECU’s public address announcer at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, is Ahlers’ dad. [Listed 01.30.17] (Image source: 247sports.com) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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KHALIL BARRETT (6-0, 180) CB, Havelock … Barrett committed to the Pirates after helping Havelock to the Eastern 3-A championship as a two-way senior in 2017. … He projects as a defensive back at ECU. … Barrett may have gotten a scholarship with the Pirates after offensive lineman Nick Dennis changed his college choice from ECU to Southern Methodist. … Barrett had huge offensive numbers for the Rams, who were 14-2 under coach Caleb King in 2017. … Barrett rushed for 1,105 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior. … He had 84 catches for 1,050 yards with 13 scores. … Barrett was credited with six solo tackles and two assists as a high school senior. … Barrett initially committed to Coastal Carolina. … He also had offers from Navy and Western Carolina. … North Carolina was among the ACC programs showing interest. … Barrett plans to enroll in the summer of 2018. … Offensive coordinator Tony Petersen was the primary recruiter for Barrett with defensive backs coach Brandon Lynch in a secondary role. [Listed 12.18.17] (Image source: 247sports.com photo by Stephen Igoe) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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MYLES BERRY (6-2, 190) S, Greensboro Dudley High School … Berry committed to East Carolina on April 24. … The Pirates offered Berry on April 1. … New defensive line coach Robert Prunty was the primary recruiter. … Berry also had offers from Air Force, Army, Howard, Eastern Kentucky and Navy. … Berry had three solo tackles and three assists for Dudley in a 54-0 win over Cape Fear in the 2016 NCHSAA 4-A championship at N.C. State’s Carter-Finley Stadium. … The Panthers, coached by Stephen Davis, compiled a 15-1 record during Berry’s junior season. … Berry visited ECU for Junior Day on April 1 and attended the Pirate spring game on April 22. [Listed 04.25.17] (Image source: 247sports.com) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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JOHNNY BOGLE (6-2, 255) DE, Nease High School, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL … Rated a three-star prospect. … Recruited by ECU tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Shannon Moore. … East Carolina made an offer on May 12, Bogle had an unofficial visit on June 2 and committed to the Pirates on June 22. … Bogle had offers from Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Colorado State, Florida Atlantic, Georgia State, Massachusetts, Mercer, Middle Tennessee State, Rutgers, Samford, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Toledo, Tulane, Central Florida and Western Kentucky. … The Nease Panthers, coached by Tim Krause, are coming off a 2-7 season. … Bogle had 32 solo tackles, 25 assists and 15 tackles for loss as a junior. [Listed 06.22.17] (Image source: rivals.com) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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JADAKIS BONDS (6-4, 175) WR, Riverside High School, Williamston … Bonds scored 23 touchdowns for an 8-4 Knights team coached by Asim McGill in 2016. … He had 51 catches for 963 yards and 16 scores. … Bonds ran 41 times for 200 yards and four scores. … He took two interceptions to the end zone as well as one kickoff return and one punt. … Bonds had five interceptions during his junior season. … ECU running backs coach Jason Nichols was the primary recruiter for Bonds with wide receivers coach Keith Gaither providing support. … Bonds had an offer from West Virginia as well as interest from Duke, Marshall, Maryland, North Carolina, N.C. State, Syracuse and Wake Forest. … Bonds had nine receptions for 92 yards and four touchdowns in a 70-64 playoff loss to Princeton in four overtimes in 2016. … He also had a rushing TD in the high-scoring contest. … Rated a three-star prospect. … Bonds averaged 12.9 points and 5.7 rebounds for a 24-4 Riverside basketball team in 2016-17. … Committed to the Pirates on June 15. [Listed 06.16.17] (Image source: 247sports.com) [Bonds has not signed with ECU.]
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STEVON BROWN (6-4, 275) OL, Archbishop Curley High School, Baltimore, MD … Made a verbal commitment to East Carolina on June 15 after receiving offers from Air Force, Army, Howard, Navy, Old Dominion and Towson. … Maryland showed interest. … Pirates associate head coach and defensive line coach Robert Prunty was the primary recruiter with offensive line coach Geep Wade in a secondary role. … Brown made unofficial visits to ECU on April 22 and April 28. … Brown saw action at guard and tackle for the Friars, coached by Sean Murphy, during the 2016 season as Archbishop Curley went 5-5. … Brown reportedly moves well and is a hitter. … Brown tweeted that the Pirates had what he wanted athletically, academically and spiritually. [Listed 06.16.17] (Image source: 247sports.com) [Brown withdrew his pledge to the Pirates on Nov. 5, 2017.]
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*NICK DENNIS (6-4, 315) OL, Navarro Junior College, Corsicana, TX … Dennis committed to East Carolina on Dec. 11. … Pirates offensive line coach Geep Wade was listed as his primary recruiter with offensive coordinator Tony Petersen in a secondary role. … Dennis visited ECU on Nov. 18 and saw the Pirates down Cincinnati, 48-20. … Dennis had initially committed to Southern Miss. … He had offers from the Golden Eagles as well as from Florida Atlantic, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee State, New Mexico, North Texas and Troy. … Dennis played at Lee High School in Midland, TX. … He has three years of eligibility to play two seasons for ECU. … The Navarro Bulldogs, coached by Cody Crill, were 6-4 overall and 4-3 in conference play in 2017. [Listed 12.12.17] (Image source: Twitter.com/thicholas) [Dennis signed with Southern Methodist.]
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DORIAN HARDY, DE (6-5, 220) Elizabeth (NJ) North Brunswick Township HS … Al Myatt signing day report … Thumbnail sketch pending … [Listed 02.07.18] (Image source: Twitter.com/Hardy39Hardy) [SIGNED ON 02.07.18]
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DAMEL HICKMAN (6-0, 170) CB, Butler High School, Matthews … East Carolina defensive backs coach Brandon Lynch was the primary recruiter for Hickman with associate head coach and defensive line coach Robert Prunty in a secondary role. … Hickman received an offer from the Pirates on June 18 and committed the same day. … Also played free safety for the Bulldogs, who were 12-2 in 2016. … Butler, coached by Brian Hales, lost in the third round of the NCHSAA 4-A playoffs, 50-49, in overtime to Vance. … Hudl.com lists Hickman with a 185-pound bench press, 315-pound squat and 245-pound clean. … Hickman also competed in track for the Bulldogs, running sprints and relays. … He had a 11.31-second clocking for 100 meters. [Listed 06.19.17] (Image source: 247sports.com) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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NOLAN JOHNSON (6-2, 180) CB, Southwest Guilford, High Point … Johnson committed to East Carolina on July 1, joining high school teammate Jaren Rainey as a future Pirate. … Associate head coach and defensive line coach Robert Prunty is listed as the primary recruiter with secondary coach Brandon Lynch in a secondary role. … Programs that had offered Johnson included Air Force, Appalachian State, Charlotte, Eastern Kentucky, Elon, Maryland and Yale. … Those showing interest included Massachusetts, North Carolina, N.C. State, Purdue, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. … Johnson attended camps at UNC in June of 2016 and 2017. … Johnson made an unofficial visit to Appalachian in February of 2017. … Johnson made an unofficial visit to ECU for the N.C. State game on Sept. 10, 2016. … Johnson had 22 solo tackles and three interceptions for a 7-5 Southwest Guilford team in 2016. [Listed 07.01.17] (Image source: 247sports.com by Stephen Igoe) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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TREY LOVE (6-3, 236) DE, Southeast Guilford, Greensboro … Love committed to the Pirates on April 3. … Defensive line coach Robert Prunty was the primary recruiter. … Charlotte had an offer on the table and Florida State and North Carolina also had interest. … Rated as a three-star recruit. … Listed as the 43rd best prospect in North Carolina by 247sports.com. … Love helped Southeast to a 6-6 overall record in 2016. The Falcons were 3-2 in league play. … Love had three sacks as a high school junior and one fumble-causing hit. … He also contributed on offense with 47 carries for 235 yards with one touchdown. … Love had two receptions for 24 yards. [Listed 04.04.17] (Image source: Scout.com) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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D’ANGELO McKINNIE (6-4, 230) DE, Southwest Onslow High School, Jacksonville … McKinnie committed to the Pirates on June 13. … Wide receivers coach Keith Gaither was listed as the primary recruiter. … Associate head coach and defensive line coach Robert Prunty was credited in a secondary role. … Elon and Wake Forest reportedly showed interest in the recruiting process. … Southwest was 7-6 in 2016. … The Stallions were coached by former East Carolina offensive lineman Charlie Dempsey. … McKinnie also has played some tight end, according to reports, but is projected as a weak-side defensive end for the Pirates. … His 40-yard dash time is 4.9 seconds. … His bench press maximum is 250 pounds. … He has bench pressed 185 pounds 14 times in succession. … His 100-meter time is 12.3 seconds. [Listed 06.13.17] (Image source: 247sports.com) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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CHANDLER MEDEIROS (6-4, 250) DE, South Iredell High School, Statesville … Medeiros received an offer from East Carolina on May 25 and committed on June 16. … He had offers from Charlotte, Elon and Old Dominion. … Pirates associate head coach and defensive line coach Robert Prunty was the primary recruiter for Medeiros. … South Iredell, coached by Scott Miller, went 9-4 in 2016, losing to Hickory Ridge, 34-22, in the second round of the NCHSAA 3-AA playoffs. … Medeiros played defensive end and defensive tackle for the Vikings but projects as a defensive end for the Pirates. … As a junior, Medeiros had 5.5 sacks, 52 solo tackles, 10 assists and eight tackles for loss. … Made an unofficial visit to ECU on June 16. [Listed 06.19.17] (Image source: 247sports.com) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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JUWAN MOODY (5-10, 165) WR, Conway High School, Conway, SC … East Carolina wide receivers coach Keith Gaither was the primary recruiter for Moody. … The Pirates gave Moody a scholarship offer on June 17 and he committed to ECU on June 18. … South Carolina State also made an offer to Moody. … Showing recruiting interest were Coastal Carolina, Eastern Kentucky and Elon. … Conway had an 8-5 season in 2016. … The Tigers are coached by Chuck Jordan. … A 42-13 loss to Fort Dorchester in the third round of the 5-A playoffs capped the season for Conway. … Moody had three catches for 81 yards and a touchdown in the Tigers’ final game of his junior season. [Listed 06.19.17] (Image source: 247sports.com) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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DONOVAN NOEL (6-4, 260) OL, Millbrook High School, Raleigh … Committed to the Pirates on June 26 after receiving offers from Appalachian State, Boston College, Buffalo, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Colorado State, Elon , Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Howard, James Madison, North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central, Old Dominion, Purdue and Syracuse. … ECU running backs coach Jason Nichols was the primary recruiter with offensive line coach Geep Wade in a secondary role. … Noel attended a camp at ECU on June 11 and received an offer from the Pirates at that time. … He made a campus visit to ECU on June 24. … Wildcats, coached by Clarence Inscore, were 7-5 in 2016. … Millbrook opens the 2017 season on Aug. 16 at Wake Forest, the 2016 state champions in the NCHSAA 4-AA division. … Noel has played offensive guard and tackle. [Listed 06.26.17] (Image source: 247sports.com by Stephen Igoe) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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ANDRE PEGUES (6-3, 200) WR, Hoke County High School, Raeford … Pegues committed to the Pirates on June 6 after attending camp at East Carolina on June 4. … Pegues also had offers from Appalachian State, Liberty and Princeton. … Area recruiter Brandon Lynch, ECU defensive backs coach, and Pirates wide receivers coach Keith Gaither were primarily involved in Pegues’ recruitment. … Hoke was 2-9 overall and 1-4 in the Southeastern 4-A Conference last season. … Pegues also played for the Bucks in basketball, experiencing a higher degree of success. … Pegues averaged 6.7 points and 4.8 rebounds for a 23-7 team that reached the NCHSAA quarterfinals before losing to eventual state champion Southwest Guilford, 63-51. [Listed 06.07.17] (Image source: 247sports.com) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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JAREN RAINEY (6-2, 190) QB/S, Southwest Guilford, High Point … Committed to the Pirates on June 20 with associate head coach and defensive line coach Robert Prunty serving as primary recruiter with defensive backs coach Brandon Lynch in a secondary role. … Rainey also had an offer from Army. … Programs showing interest included Appalachian State, Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State. … Rainey attended camp at UNC on June 8. … He made unofficial visits to Appalachian on Feb. 18 and to UNC on Nov. 5. …. His dad, Eric Rainey, is the coach at Southwest Guilford. … The father-son duo helped the Cowboys to their first winning season (7-5) since 1997 in 2016. … Eric Rainey was a defensive back at Ferrum Junior College. … Rainey’s junior season ended with a 50-49 loss at Watauga in the first round of the NCHSAA 4-A playoffs. … Rainey completed 112 of 220 passes in 2016 for 1,662 yards with 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. … He rushed for 843 yards on 117 carries with nine TDs. … Rainey also had two catches for 35 yards and a score as a junior. … Rainey’s 40-yard time is listed as 4.79 seconds. [Listed 06.30.17] (Image source: 247sports.com) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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AUSTIN RICHARDSON (6-0, 180) CB, Porter Ridge High School, Indian Trail … Miami of Ohio made an offer to Richardson on May 17. … ECU offered him on June 18 and he committed to the Pirates on June 30. … East Carolina secondary coach Brandon Lynch is credited as the primary recruiter for Richardson. … Indian Trail also is nicknamed Pirates. … Coached by Michael Hertz, Indian Trail was 7-5 overall in 2016 and 4-2 in the Southwestern 4-A Conference. … Richardson had 15 solo tackles, 10 assists and two interceptions in 2016. … He also deflected six passes. … Richardson caught 18 passes last season for 370 yards with five touchdowns. … He had 24 carries for 172 yards and one score. … Richardson returned three kickoffs for a total or 72 yards and made seven punt returns for 101 yards. … All Conference as a defensive back in 2016. [Listed 07.10.17] (Image source: Monroe Enquirer Journal) [Richardson has not signed with ECU.]
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WARREN SABA (5-10, 190) CB, Garden City (KS) Community College … Saba played on the high school level at Cleveland (OH) Benedictine. … In his freshman season at Garden City in 2017, Saba was in on 71 tackles. … He had five interceptions and forced a pair of fumbles. … The Broncbusters were 8-4 overall and 5-2 in the Jayhawk Conference after winning the national junior college championship in 2016. … Garden City is coached by Jeff Sims. … Saba will have three years of eligibility at ECU. … He plans to enroll in January. … He graduated from Garden City with an associate’s degree. … He had a 3.5 grade point average in his final semester at Garden City. … Robert Prunty was the primary recruiter for Saba before leaving to become head coach at Hampton. … Defensive backs coach Brandon Lynch recruited Saba in a secondary role. … Programs that offered Saba included St. Francis (PA), Bethune Cookman, Buffalo, Eastern Kentucky, San Francisco and Southern Miss. … Schools showing interest included Kentucky and Syracuse. [Listed 12.18.17] (Image source: 247sports.com) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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XAVIER SMITH (6-0, 235) LB, Brooke Point High School, Stafford, VA … Smith committed to the Pirates on Aug. 12, 2017, after receiving offers from Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Connecticut, James Madison, Marshall and Temple. … Inside linebackers coach Ryan Anderson was the primary recruiter for ECU. … Smith has speed and power that allows him to compete in hurdle events as well as the shot put in track and field. … Plays linebacker and tailback for the Black Hawks, but projects as an inside linebacker for the Pirates. … Brooke Point went 11-2 under coach Tommy Buzzo in 2016, reaching the third round of the Virginia 5-A playoffs before losing to eventual state runner-up Stone Bridge, 48-21. … Smith made an unofficial visit to ECU on June 24. … Brooke Point won its 2017 season opener 31-6 over Potomac. [Listed 08.29.17] (Image source: 247sports.com) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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GERARD STRINGER (6-3, 190) OLB, Nansemond River, Suffolk, VA … Stringer committed to the Pirates on Monday, June 5, after an unofficial visit with his mother, Kisha, on Sunday, June 4. … Stringer cited the engaging coaching staff, the East Carolina campus and Greenville’s proximity to family for attending games as factors in his decision. … Stringer also received offers from Army, Navy, Ohio and Virginia-Wise. … Associate head coach/defensive line coach Robert Prunty and inside linebackers coach Ryan Anderson were credited in Stringer’s recruitment. … Nansemond River was 6-5 in 2016. … The Warriors are coached by David Coccoli. [Listed 06.06.17] (Image source: 757recruit.com] [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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JIREH WILSON (6-2, 191) WR, S, Northside High School, Jacksonville … Wilson had offers from Charlotte, Old Dominion and Vanderbilt. … Programs showing interest included Appalachian State, Duke, Furman, North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia and Wake Forest. … ECU wide receivers coach Keith Gaither was the primary recruiter. … Wilson had 31 catches for 583 yards and seven touchdowns for a 12-4 Monarchs team coached by Kendrick Pollock in 2016. … Northside was topped 28-6 by Shelby for the NCHSAA 2-AA championship. … Defensively, Wilson had 29 solo tackles and six assists with eight interceptions as a junior. … Wilson saw action in 21 games for a state champion basketball team that went 30-0, defeating North Surry 86-67 for the state 2-A crown. … Wilson received an offer from the Pirates on May 12 and committed on June 19. [Listed 06.19.17] (Image source: 247sports.com) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]
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PEYTON WINSTEAD (6-3, 290) C, Raleigh Leesville Road High School … Winstead committed to East Carolina on Feb. 18 … Duke, N.C. State and Virginia Tech showed interest. … Winstead received an offer from the Pirates on Nov. 23. … Had also received an offer from Charlotte in December. … He took an unofficial visit to NCSU on Jan. 21 after attending Junior Day at Virginia Tech on Jan. 15. … Saw action at center and guard for the Pride, who went 6-6 overall and 4-3 in the Cap-8 4-A Conference in 2016. … Brad Wilson is the Pride coach. … Brian Rimpf, a multi-year All-Conference USA selection on the offensive line at ECU before playing for the Baltimore Ravens, is a graduate of Leesville Road. … Winstead’s parents are ECU alumni. … Becomes the second commitment for 2018 and could be snapping to quarterback Holton Ahlers, the first to announce for next year’s class. [Listed 02.18.17] (Image source: Twitter.com) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]—–
MIKE WITHERSPOON (6-1, 190) DB, Hutchinson Community College, Hutchinson, KS … Witherspoon made an official visit on Oct. 6 and committed to East Carolina on Oct. 16. … The Hutchinson Blue Dragons, coached by Rion Rhoades, were off to a 6-1 start as Witherspoon had 17 tackles and 10 assists. … Witherspoon had one tackle for loss and seven pass breakups. … Pirates secondary coach Brandon Lynch was the primary recruiter for Witherspoon. … Boise State made an offer and Toledo had shown interest in Witherspoon, who is from Lawrenceville, GA. … Witherspoon has the potential to play safety or nickel for the Pirates because of his size. … ECU also is recruiting former Alabama running back B.J. Emmons from the Hutchinson program. [Listed 10.17.17] (Image source: bluedragonsports.com) [SIGNED ON 12.20.17]