Thumbnail Sketches by Al Myatt.

Click on LINKED NAMES to go to recruit feature profiles by Sammy Batten.

Number of signees or commitments to date: 22#

OFFENSIVE REPORT CARD: FUTURE NEEDS COME INTO FOCUS

DEFENSIVE REPORT CARD: RECRUITING EFFORT FORTIFIES UNIT

Most recent updates (04.09.19): Added link to Sammy Batten feature profile on Chesterfield (VA) Matoaca HS DE IMMANUEL HICKMAN.

#Note: “Blueshirt” ROBERT MERVIN will enroll in the summer and be given the first scholarship available in ECU’s scholarship quota for the recruiting class of 2020.

Note: Thumbnail sketches displayed in red font are for previously committed players whose recruiting statuses have changed.

ALEX ANGUS (6-2, 195) S, Greensboro Page … Angus had offers from Appalachian State, Charlotte and Old Dominion. … North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin had shown interest. … Wide receivers coach Keith Gaither and safeties coach Daric Riley helped sway Angus from his initial commitment to Appalachian. … Angus announced he was joining the ECU program on Nov. 7. … Page’s nickname is “Pirates.” … Page is the No. 3 seed in the Western bracket for the NCHSAA 4-A playoffs and will host the R.J. Reynolds-Porter Ridge winner in the second round on Nov. 23. … Angus has 12 solo tackles, 18 assists and seven sacks for the Pirates (6-5), who are coached by Jared Rolfes. … Page was 4-0 in the Metro Conference in 2018. [Listed 11.13.18] (Image source: 247sports.com by Michael Clark)
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TARON BEAUFORD (5-8, 174) RB, Southern Durham High School … Beauford was the first commitment of the 2019 class, casting his lot with the Pirates on Feb. 7. … East Carolina running backs coach Jason Nichols was his primary recruiter. … According to MaxPreps stats, Beauford ran 108 times in nine games for 454 yards with five touchdowns. He also had seven catches for 57 yards. … The Spartans went 3-8 overall in 2017 and were 2-4 in the Big 8 3-A Conference. … Southern Durham is coached by Darius Robinson. [Listed 03.27.18] (Image source: Hudl.com) | Beauford did not sign with ECU during the early signing period.

ZECH BYRD (6-7, 265) TE, Garden City (KS) Community College … East Carolina’s coaching staff was concerned about numbers at tight end and Byrd will help that situation. … Garden City was 10-1 in 2018, the loss coming by a 10-9 margin to East Mississippi Community College in the national junior college championship game. … A foot injury led to a redshirt year in 2017. … The Broncbusters are coached by Jeff Sims. … Byrd had offers from Auburn, Louisville and Utah out of junior college. … Played on the high school level at Stanhope Elmore in Millbrook, AL, and was rated the top tight end in the state. … Had offers from Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech and many others before  initially committing to Florida. [Listed 02.06.19] (Image source: 247sports.com)

DEMONTRE “D.J.” CHISOLM (5-8, 160) Ath, Berkeley High School, Moncks Corner, SC … Chisolm played for a Stags team coached by Randy Robinson that went 13-2 in 2017 and reached the state 4-A semifinals before losing 37-20 to eventual runner-up Hartsville. … Chisolm received offers from Charleston Southern, The Citadel, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Notre Dame College (Ohio), Rhode Island and Troy. … Clemson and South Carolina showed interest. … Chisolm received an offer from East Carolina on May 24, attended camp at ECU on June 3 and committed to the Pirates on July 11. … ECU safeties coach Daric Riley was the primary recruiter for Chisolm with Pirates wide receivers coach Keith Gaither in a secondary role. Riley played and later coached at nearby Charleston Southern. [Listed 07.16.18] (Image source: The Post & Courier by David Shelton) | 247sports.com reported that Chisolm withdrew his commitment to ECU on Nov. 29, 2018.

RICK D’ABREU (6-2, 240) DL, Thomas Dale High School, Chester, VA …  Had 141 tackles, including 83 solo stops in three high school seasons despite playing just three games as a senior due to injury. … Was coached by Kevin Tucker at Thomas Dale. … Had 15 sacks on the high school level and 22 quarterback pressures in 24 games. … Earned three football letters in high school. … Completed prep career with a total of 141 tackles (83 solo), 28.0 TFLs, 15.0 sacks and 22 quarterback pressures in 24 games … Helped the Knights to 9-3 records as a sophomore and junior. … Colorado, Massachusetts and Tulane also sought D’Abreu, who is rated a three-star prospect. [Listed 02.06.19] (Image source: 247sports.com)

KEZIAH EVERETT (6-2, 330) DT, Farmville Central … Everett received offers from Appalachian State, Campbell, Duke, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. … He is rated a three-star recruit. … East Carolina offensive coordinator Tony Petersen was the primary recruiter in the battle for Everett. Defensive line coach Rodrique Wright represented the Pirates in a secondary role. … Farmville Central, coached by Scott Gardner, was 5-7 overall In 2017 and 2-3 in the Eastern Plains 2-A Conference. [Listed 06.20.18] (Image source: 247sports.com by Walter Powell)

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MALIK FLEMING (5-8, 170) CB, Hapeville Charter, Atlanta … Fleming helped the Hapeville Charter Hornets, coached by Winston Gordon, to a 14-1 overall record in 2017 and a 6-0 mark in region play. … East Carolina cornerbacks coach Brandon Lynch was the primary recruiter for Fleming. … Teams that offered Fleming prior to his commitment to the Pirates on March 31 included Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Boston College, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia Southern, Louisville, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Syracuse, Troy and Tulane. … Fleming had one touchdown reception, returned a fumble for a score and took an interception to the end zone as a junior. [Listed 04.10.18] (Image source: 247sports.com)
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ALEX FLINN (6-2, 212) QB, A.C. Reynolds High School, Asheville … Flinn committed on June 23 after receiving an offer on May 17. … He made unofficial visits on June 20 and June 23, accompanied by family members on the second trip. …Shannon Moore, tight ends coach and area recruiter, was primarily involved in bringing Flinn aboard with offensive coordinator Tony Petersen in a secondary role. … Flinn passed for 3,972 yards as a junior with 40 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in leading the Rockets, coached by Shane Laws, to the Western 3-AA regional championship. … Reynolds lost 27-17 to New Hanover for the state title and finished 14-2. … Although listed as a pro style quarterback, Flinn had 118 keepers for 451 yards with eight scores in 2017. … The Rockets were 8-0 in the Western Mountain Conference. … Flinn is privately tutored by former Carolina Panthers quarterbacks coach John Shoop. (Image source: 247sports.com)

TRAVEON FRESHWATER (6-2, 220) DE, Northeastern High School, Elizabeth City … East Carolina special teams coordinator Kirk Doll was the primary recruiter and defensive line coach Rodrique Wright served in a secondary role as Freshwater selected the Pirates over offers from Appalachian State, Duke, Michigan State, N.C. State, North Carolina, Old Dominion, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest on Aug. 6. … Freshwater had 2,015 yards rushing as a junior in 2017 with 22 touchdowns on 118 carries. … He projects as a defender at ECU after making 109 solo tackles with 27 sacks and 38 assists as a high school junior. … A three-star recruit, Freshwater is rated as the No. 17 prospect in the state from the class of 2019. … The Eagles are coming off a 13-1 season under coach Antonio Moore, the loss coming to eventual NCHSAA 2-A champion Wallace-Rose Hill in the third round. … Northeastern’s season opener is at D.H. Conley on August 17. [Listed 07.07.18] (Image source: 247sports.com by Michael Clark)
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BRYAN GAGG (6-3,190) QB, Braden River High School, Bradenton, FL … Gagg, a pro style quarterback, received an offer from East Carolina on Feb. 7 and made his commitment on March 24 with an unofficial visit for the Purple-Gold spring game. … Gagg completed 128 of 188 passes for 2,669 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions during a 10-2 season for Braden River in 2017. … The Braden River Pirates were 10-2 during Gagg’s junior season with both losses to Venice, the eventual 7-A state champion. … The Pirates, coached by Curt Bradley, were ranked No. 38 in the state of Florida. … Braden River has a spring game at Immokalee on May 18. [Listed 03.27.18] (Image source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune)

HOZEY HAJI-BADRI (6-4, 270) DE, ASA (NY) College … Haji-Badri plans to enroll at East Carolina in January after committing to the Pirates on Nov. 19. … He visited ECU for the win over Connecticut. … Haji-Badri was recruited by defensive line coach Rodrique Wright and defensive coordinator David Blackwell of former coach Scottie Montgomery. … He initially committed to Temple while in high school in Chantilly, VA, in 2015, but subsequently went to Virginia Prep to improve his academics. ,,. After agreeing to go to West Virginia as an invited walk-on while at Virginia Prep, Haji-Badri was detoured again academically and took his athletic skills to ASA. … He had 12 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks for the Avengers in 2017. His numbers in 2018 included 16 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. … Haji-Badri  earned All-Northeastern Conference honors in both of his seasons at ASA. … He received offers from Alabama-Birmingham, Buffalo, Georgia State, New Mexico, Old Dominion, Toledo and Western Kentucky. [Listed 11.20.18] (Image source: 247sports.com)
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TAYLOR HARRIS (5-9, 180) CB, Woodbridge, VA … East Carolina tight ends coach Shannon Moore was the primary recruiter for Harris, who committed to the Pirates on April 19, and ECU cornerbacks backs coach Brandon Lynch was involved in a secondary role. … Harris had offers from Charlotte, Cincinnati, Old Dominion, Temple and Virginia. … Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech showed interest. … A three-star recruit, Harris is rated the No. 34 prospect in Virginia. … Gary Wortham Sr. coaches the Vikings, who were 13-2 in 2017. [Listed 05.29.18] (Image source: 247sports.com by Taylor Harris) | Harris did not sign with ECU during the early signing period.
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JSI HATFIELD (6-1, 165) Ath, Southern Alamance, Graham … Hatfield received offers from Old Dominion, Appalachian State, Charleston Southern, Charlotte, The Citadel, Coastal Carolina, Elon, Gardner-Webb, Hampton, James Madison, Kent State, Liberty, Marshall, Miami of Ohio and Western Carolina. … N.C. State showed interest. … Hatfield has run 40 yards in 4.43 seconds. … Hatfield received an offer from the Pirates on April 25 and committed on June 24. … Wide receivers coach Keith Gaither was the primary recruiter for Hatfield, who had 99 carries for 817 yards with 10 touchdowns as a junior. He also had three catches for 89 yards and a score. … Hatfield was credited with 15 solo tackles for a 5-6 team. … He averaged 13.7 points in basketball. (Image source: Pirate Illustrated)

IMMANUEL HICKMAN (6-3, 260) DL, Matoaca High School, Chesterfield, VA …  Played defensive end, linebacker and tight end in high school. … Earned all-region honors three times. … Had 130 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and seven recoveries in 10 games as a junior when he helped the Warriors to a 7-4 record. … Rated a three-star recruit. … His offers included Air Force, Central Florida, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Kent State, Marshall, Navy, Temple and Tulane. … Rivals rated him the No. 19 overall recruit in Virginia. … Selected to a U.S. National under-19 team that competed in Mexico City and won a bronze medal. … Also chosen for the Big River Rivalry, an all-star game featuring players from the James River area. [Listed 02.06.19] (Image source: 247sports.com)

TRENT HOLLER (6-2, 287) C, Greater Latrobe (PA) High School … Holler had offers from Albany, Ball State, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Delaware, Elon, Fordham, Lehigh, Maine, Notre Dame College, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Robert Morris, West Virginia and Youngstown State. … He committed to East Carolina on Sept. 22. … Pirates offensive line coach Don Mahoney was the primary recruiter for Holler. … ECU offered Holler on June 11. … He made unofficial visits on June 16 and Sept. 8. … West Virginia made an offer on June 12. … Holler contacted Mahoney and head coach Scottie Montgomery with his commitment on the afternoon of the South Florida game. … 247 Sports rates Holler as the 11th best center nationally and the No. 29 overall prospect in Pennsylvania. … Greater Latrobe is coached by Jason Marucco. [Listed 09.25.18] (Image source: 247sports.com)

JEREMY LEWIS (6-4, 215) DE, South Central High School, Greenville … Lewis also received offers from Charlotte, Duke, Georgia State, North Carolina, Old Dominion, Tennessee, Virginia and Wake Forest. … Offensive coordinator Tony Petersen was the primary recruiter with defensive line coach Rodrique Wright in a secondary role. … Lewis committed on June 28. … Lewis had 20 solo tackles and 35 assists for a 10-3 Falcons team coached by Andy Tew in 2017. … He had four sacks and forced two fumbles as a junior. [Listed 07.01.18] (Image source: 247sports.com by Don Callahan)

JA’QUAN McMILLIAN (5-10, 175)  CB, West Forsyth High School, Clemmons … McMillian is rated a three-star recruit. … He received offers from Appalachian State, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Duke, Louisville, North Carolina, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, Wake Forest and West Virginia. Virginia Tech showed interest. … Cornerbacks coach Brandon Lynch was the primary recruiter for the Pirates with wide receivers coach Keith Gaither credited in a secondary role. … The Titans were 11-1 in 2017 under coach Adrian Snow with the lone loss coming in the second round of the 4-AA playoffs to Charlotte Hough, 41-34, after West Forsyth, seeded second, had received a first-round bye. … McMillian has been rated the 39th best overall prospect in North Carolina for the 2019 class. [Listed 07.16.18] (Image source: 247sports.com by Michael Clark)

BAILEY MALOVIC (6-7, 290) OT, Highland (KS) Community College … Malovic committed to East Carolina on Nov. 20 after receiving offers from Alabama-Birmingham, Arkansas State, Chattanooga, Coastal Carolina, Florida Atlantic, New Mexico State, Old Dominion, Southern Miss, Tennessee Sate and Tennessee-Martin. … The primary recruiter for the Pirates was Don Mahoney, offensive line coach on Scottie Montgomery’s staff. … Malovic enrolled at Highland out of Irmo, SC. … The Scotties were 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the Jayhawk Conference under coach Aaron Arnold in 2018. … Highland was No. 17 in the national junior college rankings. … The Scotties rushed for 160.9 yards per game and yielded 28 sacks in 2018. … Injuries decimated ECU’s offensive line in 2018 and improving depth on the front was an objective of Montgomery’s staff. … Malovic committed to ECU the week before Montgomery was dismissed as coach. [Listed 11.20.18] (Image source: 247sports.com)

DEMETRIUS MAUNEY (6-0, 195) RB, Forest City (NC) East Rutherford … Mauney committed to Purdue earlier in the recruiting process but withdrew his pledge in August and began looking closer to home. … James Madison was involved with the Shrine Bowl talent before Dukes coach Mike Houston and the majority of his staff came to East Carolina. … In addition to the Boilermakers, Mauney had offers from Appalachian State, Campbell, Charlotte, Colorado State, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia Southern, James Madison, Old Dominion, Temple and Wofford. … N.C. State, North Carolina and Tennessee showed interest. … East Rutherford, coached by Chris Bland, was 10-3 in 2018. … Mauney signed with the Pirates on Wednesday, Dec. 18. … Mauney had 74 tackles as a freshman with 12 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as a linebacker. On offense, he had 491 yards rushing on 82 carries with five touchdowns. … His cumulative numbers as a sophomore, junior and senior included 3,956 yards rushing and 49 touchdowns. As a senior, Mauney ran for 1,375 yards and 16 scores on 152 carries. … Whether he will play offense or defense at East Carolina has not been determined.  [Listed 12.18.18] (Image source: 247sports.com)

ROBERT MERVIN (6-3, 315) C, Hutchinson (KS) Community College. … Mervin received offers from Austin Peay, Stephen F. Austin, Texas-El Paso and Youngstown State before committing to East Carolina on Monday, Feb. 4. … Pirates special teams coordinator Roy Tesh was the primary recruiter for Mervin with offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler in a secondary role. … According to 247sports.com, Mervin is a blueshirt commitment, will enroll on his own this summer and will be given the first scholarship available as he counts towards the Pirates’ scholarship quota for the 2020 recruiting class. … Mervin should provide immediate offensive line depth for the Pirates at the least. … His hometown is Dumfries, VA. … He played at Forest Park High School. … Hutchinson was 9-3 under coach Rion Rhodes in 2018. … The Blue Dragons averaged 213.6 rushing yards per game. [Listed 02.05.19] (Image source: Hutchinson Community College)

PATRICK NATIONS (5-11, 185), K, Wallhalla (SC) High School … Nations has exceptional range, having hit from 68 yards in practice. … Is a left-footed kicker. … East Carolina special teams coach Kirk Doll was the primary recruiter for Nations, who also plays safety and wide receiver for the Razorbacks. Tight ends coach Shannon Moore was involved in a secondary role. … Nations received an offer from ECU on April 5 and committed during an unofficial visit on June 19. … Rated a five-star prospect as a kicker. … Padgett Johnson coached Walhalla to a 9-4 mark in 2017. … North Greenville offered Nations. Among programs showing interest were Clemson, Coastal Carolina, Furman and Georgia Tech. [Listed 06.20.18] (Image source: 247sports.com)
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JUAN POWELL (6-1, 175) ATH, Douglass High School, Atlanta, GA … Powell received offers from Cincinnati, Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern, Kennesaw State and Syracuse. … He received an offer from ECU on Dec. 1 and attended Junior Day on March 17 before making his commitment to the Pirates on March 21. … ECU cornerbacks coach Brandon Lynch was his primary recruiter with safeties coach Daric Riley in a secondary role. … The Douglass Astros, coached by Rodney Cofield, went 7-4 in 2017 and 4-2 in region play. … Host Callaway topped the Astros, 28-8, in the first round of the 2-A playoffs. Powell had 14 carries for 80 yards in that game and scored Douglass’ touchdown in the fourth quarter. He also had three catches for 35 yards. … For his junior season, Powell completed eight of 23 passes for 213 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He had 167 rushes for 1,336 yards with 14 touchdowns as well as five receptions for 75 yards and two scores.[Listed 03.27.18] (Image source: 247sports.com)

MALIK RICHARDSON (6-4, 200) Ath, Lakewood High School, Sumter, SC … Richardson has played quarterback in high school but projects possibly as a safety for East Carolina. … He committed to ECU on July 26. … Richardson received offers from The Citadel, Coastal Carolina, Furman, Georgia Southern, North Greenville and Wofford. … Special teams coordinator Kirk Doll was the primary recruiter for Richardson with safeties coach Daric Riley in a secondary role. … Richardson was evaluated at a Pirates camp on June 10 and received an offer from ECU at that time. … Runs 40 yards in 4.5 seconds. … Richardson completed 85 of 165 passes last season for 907 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. He had 132 carries for 762 yards with eight scores. … The Lakewood Gators, 2-8 in 2017, are coached by Larry Cornelius. [Listed 07.27.18] (Image source: 247sports.com by Stephen Igoe) | Richardson withdrew his commitment to ECU and reopened his recruitment on Nov. 1, 2018. | Richardson did not sign with ECU during the early signing period.

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NISHAD STROTHER (6-3, 285) OL, Havelock … Strother committed to the Pirates on June 25 after attending an ECU camp on June 23 and receiving an offer that day. … Offensive coordinator Tony Petersen was the primary recruiter with offensive line coach Don Mahoney lending support. … Other schools showing interest in Strother included Charlotte, Georgia State and James Madison. … Strother helped Havelock, coached by Caleb King, to a 14-2 record in 2017 and the Eastern 3-A championship. … The Rams averaged 276.9 yards per game passing and 192.9 yards rushing. [Listed 06.26.18] (Image source: 247sports.com) | Strother withdrew his commitment to ECU and reopened his recruitment on Sept. 24, 2018, but signed with the Pirates on signing day.

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CHAD STEPHENS (6-1, 215) OLB, Southeast Guilford, Greensboro … Stephens received offers from Air Force, Army, Campbell, Charlotte, The Citadel, Coastal Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, Furman, Hampton, James Madison, Liberty, Navy, Richmond and Western Carolina. Programs showing interest included N.C. State, North Carolina and Wake Forest. … Wide receivers coach Keith Gaither was the primary recruiter for Stephens with defensive coordinator David Blackwell in a secondary role. … Stephens received an offer from ECU on April 11, made an unofficial visit on June 3 and committed to the Pirates on June 21. … Southeast Guilford was 9-3 overall in 2017 under coach Kennedy Tinsley. The Falcons were 5-1 in the Mid-Piedmont 3-A Conference. … Stephens had 29 solo tackles as a junior with six assists, two sacks and an interception. … Although he projects as a defender at ECU, he rushed 31 times for 220 yards with two touchdowns in 2017. Stephens had 30 catches for 228 yards with three scores as a junior. (Image source: 247sports.com)–

SHEMAR THOMPSON (6-0, 190) RB, Walter Williams, Burlington … Thompson received an offer from ECU on Dec. 19 and made his commitment to the Pirates on May 25. … ECU running backs coach Jason Nichols was the primary recruiter. … Thompson also had offers from Gardner-Webb and Coastal Carolina. … Showing interest were James Madison, North Carolina and N.C. State. … The Bulldogs were 5-7 overall in 2017 and 3-3 in the Mid-Piedmont 3-A Conference under coach Jim McGill. … Thompson’s numbers included 175 rushes for 1,383 yards with 17 touchdowns during his junior season. … He also had seven receptions for 167 yards and a score. … Thompson’s only pass went for a 22-yard touchdown. … He had 13 tackles on defense. [Listed 05.29.18] (Image source: 247sports.com)