Thumbnail Sketches by Al Myatt

Click on LINKED NAMES for full-length feature profiles by Sammy Batten

Number of signees or commitments to date: 26

Most recent updates (07.16.21): Seven thumbnails added for transfers from NCAA transfer portal

SAMMY BATTEN RECRUITING REPORT CARD PART 1 — OFFENSE

SAMMY BATTEN RECRUITING REPORT CARD PART 2 — DEFENSE

SAMMY BATTEN AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE RECRUITING REPORT CARD

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

WISTAR ALLEN (6-2, 225) ILB, Richmond … Allen was a standout at High Point Christian before signing with Richmond over offers from Air Force, Campbell, Elon, Georgetown, Holy Cross, Liberty, Pennsylvania and Yale. … Allen entered the transfer portal on Dec. 20 after the Colonial Athletic Association delayed its season to the spring. … As a high school senior, Allen had  148 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, five interceptions and five sacks. … He was a first-team All-State selection and helped the Cougars to the NCISAA Division II semifinals. … Allen joins the Pirates as a preferred walk-on with full collegiate eligibility remaining. … Allen has enrolled at ECU for the spring semester. (Image source: 247sports.com)

JAYDEN CHALMERS (6-0, 175) CB, Fork Union Military Academy … Chalmers played on the high school level at Lee County in Sanford. … He initially signed with North Carolina as part of the 2020 class. … Chalmers also received offers from Air Force, Appalachian State, Charlotte, ECU, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Liberty and Tulane after helping Lee County to a 15-1 record in 2019. … ESPN rated him the No. 40 player in the state for the class of 2020. … Had 41 tackles, four interceptions, 20 pass break-ups and a fumble recovery for the Yellow Jackets as a senior. … Chalmers also caught 23 passes for 445 yards and nine TDs as a senior at Lee. … Recruiting coordinator Fontel Mines and cornerbacks coach Steve Ellis were instrumental in bringing Chalmers aboard the Pirate ship with his commitment on Dec. 9. (Image source: 247sports.com)

JALEN CLYATT (6-4, 197) S, Sherwood High School, Sandy Spring, MD … Clyatt is the first reported East Carolina commitment for the Class of 2021, casting his lot with the Pirates on April 30. …  ECU recruiting coordinator Fontel Mines and safeties coach Tripp Weaver were involved in securing the initial declaration from Clyatt over offers that included Albany, Kent State, Liberty, Marshall, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and West Virginia. … The Pirates made an offer to Clyatt on Feb. 24. … Clyatt played wide receiver on offense for Sherwood, helping the Warriors to a 9-4 record in 2019 under coach Tom Crowell. … Sherwood was 7-1 in region play last season. … A 3-star prospect, Clyatt is rated the No. 36 player in Maryland among rising seniors. (Image source: 247sports.com) [Clyatt was not among the signees announced by ECU coach Mike Houston on Dec. 16, 2020, the first day of the early signing period.]

CANAAN CLARK (6-6, 310) OT, Forsyth Central High School, Cumming, GA … Clark committed to East Carolina on July 11 after receiving an offer from the Pirates on January 20. … Tennessee Tech also made an offer to Clark. … Georgia State showed interest. … ECU offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler was cited for bringing Clark aboard the Pirate ship. … Clark helped Forsyth Central rush for 175 yards per game during his junior season when the Bulldogs were 5-5 under coach Frank Hepler. … MaxPreps lists Ken Griffis as Forsyth Central coach for 2020. (Image source: 247sports.com)

JACOB COLEMAN (6-4, 215) TE, Matoaca High School, Chesterfield, VA … Coleman committed to East Carolina on July 3 after receiving offers from Boston College, Buffalo, Coastal Carolina, James Madison, Kent State, Liberty, Massachusetts, Norfolk State, Ohio, Old Dominion, Rutgers, Temple and Towson. … Coleman had 35 catches for 391 yards with four touchdowns as a junior. … Matoaca was 5-5 under coach Jay Parker in 2019. … Special teams coordinator/defensive end/outside linebackers coach Byron Thweatt was the primary recruiter for the Pirates with tight ends/inside receivers coach/recruiting coordinator Fontel Mines working in a secondary role. … His older brother, Jonathan Coleman II, a redshirt freshman, is a defensive back for the Pirates. …  ECU made an offer to the younger Coleman in March. … A 3-star prospect, Jacob Coleman is the fifth commitment in the 2021 class. (Image source: 247sports.com)

D.J. FORD (6-3, 215) S, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill … Ford opted out of the 2020 season due to coronavirus concerns after starting seven games as a junior in 2019 with 54 tackles, one sack, 2.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, one fumble recovery and one interception. …  Ford had three tackles at ECU in 2018 in a 41-19 win for the Pirates in his sophomore season for the Tar Heels. … Ford’s hometown is Lineville, AL, and he played on the high school level at Clay Central. …  Rated a 3-star prospect in 2016 before signing with UNC when Larry Fedora was coach. … Blocked a field goal in a 48-20 win over Georgia Tech as a true freshman in 2016. … Redshirted the 2017 season after an injury in the season opener. … Was a Beta Club member in high school who also played receiver on offense. … Entered the transfer portal in October. … Ford will be eligible for the 2021 season at ECU. (Image source: UNC Athletics)

AARON JARMAN (6-6, 255) TE, Temple … Jarman, who played at North Lenoir in high school, entered the transfer portal from Temple on Jan. 20 and committed to East Carolina on Feb. 15. … Jarman expects to graduate from Temple in May and pursue a Master’s degree at ECU. … Plans call for him to join the Pirate program this summer. … As a 3-star recruit on the prep level who grew up an ECU fan, Jarman had offers from Appalachian State and Mercer. … Jarman has three years of eligibility remaining after catching two passes for 21 yards and two touchdowns with the Owls. … Played 79 snaps on offense as a redshirt freshman in 2019 and 227 snaps in 2020. … Jarman also saw action on 106 snaps on special teams at Temple. … Jarman joins a position room at ECU that has improved depth and talent significantly in the Mike Houston coaching era. … Houston was a tight end at Mars Hill. (Image source: 247sports.com)

RYAN JONES (6-2, 236) TE, Charlotte … Jones played two seasons as a linebacker at Oklahoma but will get a shot at playing on the offensive side of the ball as he transfers to East Carolina. … Jones was in on 29 tackles in 18 games during his career with the Sooners. … He made three starts for OU as a freshman. … Regarded as a 4-star prospect out of Mallard  Creek, Jones joined the Sooners over offers that included Clemson, Florida and North Carolina. … Was rated the No. 2 prospect in the state by ESPN as a senior when the Mavericks went 9-3 under coach Michael Palmieri. … Jones had 31 catches for 541 yards with seven touchdowns in 2016. … Jones had an interception at UCLA and made four solo tackles against Houston in 2019. … Jones is a graduate transfer and will have two years to play at ECU beginning in 2021. … Jones committed to ECU for the 2020 season but had to stay at Oklahoma to complete an academic requirement. … (Image source: Oklahoma Athletics)

TOLER KEIGLEY (6-1, 180) WR, Mobile Christian School, Mobile, AL … Keigley committed to East Carolina on July 8 after receiving offers from Chattanooga, Coastal Carolina, Furman, Georgia Southern, North Alabama, Samford, Southeastern Louisiana and Western Carolina. … Outside receivers coach Drew Dudzik was the primary recruiter for Keigley with tight ends/inside receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Fontel Mines working in a secondary capacity. … Mobile Christian was 9-5 in 2019 and 5-1 in region play under coach Ronnie Cottrell. … Keigley had 33 catches for 765 yards with 11 touchdowns as a junior. … The Pirates made an offer to Keigley on June 12. (Image source: 247sports.com) [247sports.com reported that Keigley decommitted from ECU on Nov. 14, 2020.]

DEVON KING (6-0, 182) S, Marshall … Played at Belmont South Point on the prep level and will be a freshman in 2021 for the Pirates. … King entered the portal on March 31 and transferred to East Carolina on April 14, the first of three Thundering Herd players to join the Pirates. … King was a 2-way standout for a 6-7 team at South Point as a senior in 2019. He had 87 rushes for 581 yards with 12 touchdowns and 14 catches for 273 yards with four scores. … King tallied four TDs in a 42-14 win over East Rutherford on Oct. 18, 2019. … Defensively, he had 79 solo tackles, 25 assists, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. (Image source: 247sports.com)

TROY LEWIS (6-3, 195) WR, Matoaca High School, Chesterfield, VA … Lewis made his pledge to East Carolina on July 6, three days after Matoaca teammate Jacob Coleman joined the incoming Pirate class. … Lewis had 35 catches for 672 yards with five touchdowns in 2019 as the Warriors went 5-5 under coach Jay Parker. …  Lewis had offers from Air Force, Bryant, Bucknell, Campbell, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Dartmouth, Delaware, Elon, Fordham, Georgetown, Harvard, Kent State, Liberty, Massachusetts, Navy, Norfolk State, Pennsylvania, Old Dominion, Princeton, Rice, Richmond., Towson, Villanova, VMI, Western Michigan, William & Mary and Yale. … Special teams coordinator/defensive ends/outside linebackers coach Byron Thweatt was the primary recruiter for the Pirates with tight ends/inside receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Fontel Mines serving in a secondary role. … ECU made an offer to Lewis on April 28. (Image source: 247sports.com)

THEODORE LOCKLEY (6-0, 175) Ath, Mainland High School, Daytona Beach, FL … East Carolina made a scholarship offer to Lockley on June 2 and he committed to the Pirates on September 1. … Programs that made offers included Alabama-Birmingham, Appalachian State, Bethune-Cookman, Boston College, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, Connecticut, East Tennessee State, Eastern Kentucky, Florida International, Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, Fordham, Grambling State, Illinois, Kansas, Kent State, Liberty, Marshall, Middle Tennessee State, Missouri State, New Hampshire, Rutgers, South Alabama, Southern Mississippi, Temple, Tennessee-Martin, Toledo, Troy, Tulane, Utah and Western Kentucky. … Fontel Mines, ECU recruiting coordinator, was the primary recruiter with offensive coordinator Donnie Kirkpatrick working in a secondary role. … Lockley’s versatility included 100 yards passing, 193 yards rushing and 559 yards receiving with 13 total touchdowns for a 6-5 Buccaneers team in 2019. (Image source: 247sports.com)

LAITH MARJAN (6-3, 194) K/P, Raleigh Enloe High School … East Carolina made a late push to bolster special teams after Jake Verity declared for the NFL draft and got Marjan, who is rated five out of six stars by kicking instructor Chris Sailer … Marjan had offers from Air Force, Army, Campbell, Elon, Gardner-Webb and Lafayette. … Schools showing interest in Marjan as a preferred walk-on included Charlotte, Oklahoma, Oregon State and Tulane. …  ECU special teams coordinator Byron Thweatt was the primary recruiter. … Marjan made 14-of-22 field goal tries and 69-of-75 conversion attempts as a sophomore and junior … Marjan kicked off 113 times for 4,532 yards with 33 touchbacks. … Averaged 35.6 yards on 70 punts with 24 inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. … Has 111 career points on the prep level. (Image source: 247sports.com)

JOSEPH McKAY (6-0, 216) RB, Central High School, Phenix City, AL … East Carolina made an offer to McKay on Dec. 5 and he committed to the Pirates on Dec. 10 after receiving offers from Alabama, Alabama-Birmingham, Arkansas, Florida State, Kentucky, LSU, Memphis, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. … Running backs coach De’Rail Sims was the primary recruiter for McKay. … Phenix City was 8-5 in 2020 under coach Patrick Nix with a season-ending 35-17 loss at Auburn in the 7-A playoffs. … McKay ran for more than 1,200 yards as a junior when the Red Devils were 11-3. … McKay is rated a 3-star recruit. … His national ranking among running backs is No. 58. … McKay is rated the 38th best player in Alabama. … McKay plans to sign on Dec. 16, joining a position group that includes Rahjai Harris, Keaton Mitchell and Darius Pinnix Jr. (Image source: 247sports.com)

KINGSTON McKINSTRY (6-1, 190) S, Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge, IA … A 3-star prospect from the junior college ranks, McKinstry was recruited by East Carolina safeties coach Tripp Weaver and committed to the Pirates on Dec. 12. … ECU made an offer to McKinstry on Oct. 28, the same day the Grove City, OH, product received his only other offer from Jacksonville State. … McKinstry plans to join the ECU program in the summer after playing for Iowa Central this spring. … He is rated No. 5 among juco safeties in his class. … As a freshman at Iowa Central, McKinstry was in on 21 tackles with 2.5 for losses. … He broke up four passes as the Tritons went 7-6 in 2019 with a 31-28 win over Nassau in the Graphic Edge Bowl. … Iowa Central is coached by Jesse Mantalto. … McKinstry projects as a strong safety for the Pirates. … McKinstry has run 40 yards in 4.54 seconds and has bench pressed 275 pounds. (Image source: Hudl.com)

JHARI PATTERSON (6-0, 190) WR, Marshall … Played on the high school level at A.C. Reynolds in Asheville. … As a senior for the Rockets in 2019, Patterson had 68 receptions for 1,251 yards and 17 touchdowns. … He rushed for 294 yards on 50 carries. … He also had 261 yards in kick returns for an 11-3 team coached by Shane Laws. … Teammate of ECU quarterback Alex Finn at Reynolds in 2018. … A 3-star prospect, Patterson was ranked the 21st-best player in North Carolina and the 111th wide receiver nationally in 2019. … East Carolina offered him in high school, along with Charlotte, Kentucky, Liberty, NC State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wake Forest. (Image source: 247sports.com)

RICHARD PEARCE (6-3, 285) OG, Hueytown (AL) High School … Pearce was recruited by East Carolina offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler and received an offer from the Pirates on July 11 and committed on July 30 after receiving offers from Alabama State, Middle Tennessee State, Murray State, Southeast Missouri State and Tennessee Martin. … Hueytown was 11-2 under coach Greg Patterson in 2019. … The Golden Gophers wear Purple and Gold. … Hueytown reached the third round of the 6-A playoffs in 2019. … Pearce played some defense for Hueytown but projects as an offensive guard or tackle for ECU. … He is the second offensive line commitment for the 2021 class. (Image source: 247sports.com)

KYJUAN PHILLIPS (6-4, 285) OL, Dr. Phillips High School, Orlando … Phillips signed with East Carolina on Dec. 18, the last day of the early signing period. … … He had initially committed to Colorado State. … Phillips also had offers from Coastal Carolina, East Tennessee State, Eastern Kentucky, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Kent State, Liberty, Middle Tennessee State, Pittsburgh and Tennessee-Martin. … Area recruiter Byron Thweatt and Pirates offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler led ECU’s recruiting effort. … Dr. Phillips, coached by Rodney Wells, finished 5-2 for the 2020 season with a 10-0 loss at home in the 8-A playoffs to Palmetto. (Image source: 247sports.com)

JASIYAH ROBINSON (6-1, 245) OLB, Michigan State … Entered the transfer portal on April 26 and became a Pirate on July 1. … Played for Coach Bryan Schoonover at Groveport (OH) Madison High School . . . Helped lead  the Cruisers to a 10-3 record and a berth in the Ohio Division 1 Region 3 finals as a senior in 2019 while earning All-State honors. . . . Collected 106 tackles, including 22 for losses with 15 sacks, to go along with three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks in his last season on the prep level. … Made first team All-State and was rated as the No. 64 prospect in Ohio by 247 Sports. … Opted out of the 2020 season at Michigan State. (Image source: 247sports.com)

RAY ROSE (6-1, 215) WR, North Carolina … Currently No. 0 on ECU roster after wearing No. 9 at UNC. … Was a 4-star prospect out of Belmont South Point, posting 84 receptions for 1,654 yards and 22 touchdowns over his four-year prep career. … Added 736 rushing yards and 10 TDs and  394 punt-return yards, including three TDs. …  Rushed for 521 yards and seven TDs, while catching 17 passes for 265 yards and two scores in seven games as a senior. … Had 14 receptions for 275 yards and two TDs as a freshman, helping South Point to a state championship. … ESPN rated him the No. 23 prospect in the state. … Saw action against Western Carolina as a freshman at UNC. … Was a teammate of Marshall transfer Devon King at South Point. (Image source: 247sports.com)

TYREE SAUNDERS (6-0, 195) WR, Virginia Tech … Played wide receiver and cornerback for coach Marty Lee at First Coast High School in Jacksonville, FL. … Caught 54 passes for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior … Also ran track and played basketball at First Coast … Won a state championship with the 4×100 relay team in 2019 … Won two district titles in basketball. … Was named the First Coast Athlete of the Year as a senior. … His father, Troy Saunders, played football at Florida State (1994-98) and in the Canadian Football League. … Saunders entered the portal on May 6 and transferred to ECU on May 21. (Image source: 247sports.com)

JAVONTE SHERMAN (6-1, 170) WR, Valdosta (GA) High School …  Sherman committed to East Carolina on June 4 after receiving offers from Akron, Alabama Birmingham, Appalachian State, Central Florida, Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Kent State, Liberty, Memphis, Middle Tennessee State, Ohio, South Alabama, South Florida, Tennessee, Troy, Wake Forest, Washington State and Western Kentucky. … Sherman received an offer from the Pirates on April 17. … Defensive coordinator Blake Harrell was the primary recruiter and outside receivers coach Drew Dudzik served in a secondary role. … Sherman had 53 catches for 1,156 yards as a junior for a 10-3 Wildcats team coached by Alan Rodemaker. … Rush Propst will coach Valdosta in 2020. … Sherman is the third commitment for the 2021 incoming ECU class and is rated a 3-star prospect. (Image source: 247sports.com)

WALTER SIMMONS III (6-2, 180) QB, Oakleaf High School, Orange Park, FL … A run-throw quarterback, Simmons was recruited by tight ends/inside receivers/recruiting coordinator Fontel Mines (primary) and offensive coordinator Donnie Kirkpatrick. … He received offers from Alabama A&M, Alabama Birmingham, Bethune-Cookman, Central Florida, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, LSU, Marshall, Memphis, Old Dominion, South Florida, Southern Miss, Valdosta State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and West Virginia before committing to East Carolina on August 1. … Oakleaf, coached by Frank Garis, was 7-3 in 2019. … A 3-star prospect, Simmons is rated No. 30 among dual-threat quarterbacks nationally. … He is the primary quarterback target for ECU’s 2021 class. (Image source: 247sports.com)

JACOBY SIMPSON (6-0, 225) ILB, Cisco (TX) College … Simpson had received interest from Southern Methodist, Texas Tech and Tulsa before committing to the Pirates on September 4. … Simpson will have three years of eligibility at ECU. … He is expected to enroll in January. … Played in four games as a freshman at Texas Christian in 2018, primarily on special teams. … Rated the sixth-best inside linebacker on the junior college level. … Played at Aldine MacArthur High School in Houston and was rated a 3-star prospect with offers that included Arizona State, Texas Tech, Arkansas, Houston, Memphis and Louisville. … Got in for 60 snaps at TCU in 2019.  … Had 76 solo tackles, 40 assists, eight sacks, two interceptions and three fumble-causing hits as a high school senior. (Image source: 247sports.com)

CRUZ TEMPLE (5-11, 205) S, Abbeville (SC) High School … Temple gave East Carolina a verbal commitment on June 10 after receiving offers from Air Force, Army, Coastal Carolina, Gardner-Webb, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Navy and The Citadel. Showing interest were Florida State and West Virginia. … Temple helped the Panthers, coached by Jamie Nickles to a 13-1 record as a junior, showing ability as a pass defender and run stopper. … Running backs coach De’Rail Sims and safeties coach Tripp Weaver were instrumental in bringing Temple aboard the Pirate ship. (Image source: Rivals.com)

ROB VAN DER LAAN (6-5, 270). OT, Oregon State … After high school at Miramonte in Orinda, CA, Van Der Laan started his collegiate career at Diablo Valley Community College and played one season for the Vikings in Pleasant Hill, CA, earning all-conference honors. … Was a redshirt at Oregon State in 2020. … Entered the transfer portal on Feb. 18 from the Beavers and became a Pirate on March 5. … Helped Miramonte to an 8-4 record as a senior and 9-3 mark his junior year. … Was named a Blue-Grey All-American in high school. …  Also earned all-league honors at Miramonte. … The Matadors ran for 239.2 yards per game for coach Jack Schram during Van Der Laan’s senior season in 2017. (Image source: 247sports.com)

G’MONE WILSON (6-0, 185) RB, Marshall … Played at West Forsyth High School and will have freshman eligibility with East Carolina. … Wilson entered the transfer portal on March 31 and committed to the Pirates on April 15. … Wilson had offers from Coastal Carolina, Marshall, Old Dominion and Temple out of high school in 2019. …  Wilson was West Forsyth’s all-time leading rusher with 4,745 yards and 62 touchdowns on 702 carries. … ECU safeties coach Tripp Weaver recruited Wilson in high school and the connection was re-established when Wilson entered the transfer portal. … Running backs coach Chris Foster also was involved in bringing Wilson aboard the Pirate ship. (Image source: 247sports.com)

JULIUS WOOD (6-2, 196) S, Blinn College, Brenham, TX … Wood committed to East Carolina on Dec. 12 after receiving an offer from the Pirates on Dec. 8 … ECU safeties coach Tripp Weaver was the primary recruiter. … Wood had 36 tackles (13 solos, 23 assists) for Blinn as a freshman in 2019. … He will play for the Scots during the spring season in 2021 and join the Pirate program in the summer. …  Wood initially signed with Miami of Ohio after receiving offers from Cincinnati and Kentucky out of Walnut Ridge High School in Columbus, OH. … The Bearcats, Houston and Mississippi State had shown interest in Wood at Blinn, which is coached by Ryan Mahon. … As a senior at Walnut Ridge, Wood was a 2-way standout with 19 catches for 275 yards with seven touchdowns on offense. … He had 44 solo tackles on defense with 46 assists, 5.5 sacks, three fumble-causing hits and three fumble recoveries for a 9-2 team coached by Byron Mattox. … Cam Newton played at Blinn. … A 3-star rated recruit, Wood will have three years of eligibility at ECU. (Image source: Blinn College)

JAMES WRIGHT (6-1, 195) DB, Lakewood High School, Sumter, SC … Wright committed to East Carolina after receiving 21 college scholarship offers that included Akron, Army, Campbell, Charlotte, Dartmouth, Furman, Gardner-Webb, Georgetown, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, James Madison, Liberty, Mercer, Miami of Ohio, North Carolina A&T, Richmond, Temple, Tennessee-Martin, Western Kentucky and William & Mary. … Wright committed to the Pirates on May 24. … ECU defensive tackles coach Roy Tesh was the primary recruiter for the 3-star prospect with safeties coach Tripp Weaver serving in a support role. … Wright had 35 tackles and 19 solo stops for a 4-7 Lakewood edition in 2019. He had three interceptions and two pass deflections as a junior. … The Gators are coached by Larry Cornelius. … Wright’s offensive numbers included 26 carries for 136 yards with four touchdowns. He had four catches for 15 yards. … Wright projects as a safety for the Pirates. … ECU made an offer to Wright on March 19. (Image source: 247sports.com) [247sports.com reported that Wright withdrew his commitment to ECU on Aug. 21, 2020.]

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