Thumbnail Sketches by Al Myatt

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

Number of signees or commitments to date: 18

Special Feature:
• Sammy Batten: Transfer portal reshaping AAC football programs

“Traditional Signing Day” Report Cards:
• Sammy Batten: Help is on the way for blocking corps
• Sammy Batten: ECU’s former weak link becoming big strength

Early Signing Day Articles:
• Sammy Batten: Surprises, depth highlight early recruiting haul
• Al Myatt: ‘What a difference a year makes’

Most recent update > 02.21.22:
• Sammy Batten: Transfer portal reshaping AAC football programs

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

OMARI ALLEN (6-5, 315) OL, Vance County High School, Henderson … Allen committed to East Carolina on June 24. … Pirates offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler was the primary recruiter with passing game coordinator/tight ends and inside receivers coach Latrell Scott serving in a secondary capacity. … Allen attended a camp at ECU on June 19 and received an offer during an unofficial visit on June 24. … Allen also played defensively with 11 solo tackles and six assists as a junior during an abbreviated 1-4 season for the Vance Vipers, who are coached by Hunter Jenks. … Allen played previously at Riverside High in Durham. (Image source: 247sports.com)

ZAKYE BARKER (5-11, 228) LB, Norcross High School, Norcross, GA … Barker helped the Blue Devils, coached by Keith Maloof, to a 13-1 record and the semifinals in the 7-A class in 2020. … Barker was credited with 103 solo tackles, 52 assists, 37 tackles for loss and eight assists as a junior. … He committed to the Pirates on July 1 after receiving offers from Air Force, Army, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Charlotte, Dartmouth, Elon, Fordham, Georgetown, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Harvard, Liberty, Navy, Pennsylvania, Princeton, Richmond, Tennessee Tech, Tulane and Wofford. … Offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler and defensive coordinator Blake Harrell led the recruiting effort for Barker. … The Pirates offered Barker on Feb. 17 and he visited campus on June 25. (Image source: 247sports.com)

ISAIAH BROWN-MURRAY (5-10, 185) CB, Hough High School, Cornelius, NC … Brown-Murray had offers from Akron, Appalachian State, Arkansas, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Elon, Kansas, Kent State, Liberty, Louisville, Marshall, Old Dominion and Western Carolina before committing to East Carolina on July 17. … Pirates safeties coach Tripp Weaver and ECU cornerbacks coach Steve Ellis led the recruiting effort. … Brown-Murray made an unofficial visit on June 9 and received an offer at that time. … Brown-Murray had 21 solo tackles. 11 assists, one sack, two fumble recoveries and an interception  for an 8-1 Hough team coached by Zachary Cook during the spring season in 2021. (Image source: 247sports.com)

DAVE CHAPEAU (6-1, 249) P, Bogart (GA) North Oconee HS/U.S. Air Force Academy … DAVID CHAPEAU (6-1, 249) P, Air Force Academy … Chapeau did not see action at Air Force before transferring to East Carolina on Dec. 15. … Played on the high school level for North Oconee in Bogart, GA. … All-state honorable mention after his senior season in 2017 when he averaged 43.0 yards per punt. … In his senior campaign, Chapeau placed 15 of his 28 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line, including five inside the 5. … His mother competed in track and field at Georgia. … Chapeau signed with Air Force on Feb. 6, 2019. (Image source: 247sports.com)

SAMUEL DANKAH (6-4, 210) LB, Fork Union Military Academy … Dankah had offers from Buffalo, Massachusetts, Norfolk State, Old Dominion, Temple and Virginia Tech before committing to East Carolina on Nov. 20. … Passing game coordinator Latrell Scott, who also coaches tight ends and inside receivers for the Pirates, was the primary recruiter for Dankah with outside receivers coach Drew Dudzik serving in a secondary role. … ECU made an offer to Dankah on Oct. 6 when he was on hand for a win over Tulane. … Dankah made an official visit when the Pirates topped South Florida on Oct. 28. … Played on the high school level at South County in Virginia. … Wide receiver Brock Spalding of South County committed to ECU on June 21. (Image source: 247sports.com)

JA’MAURION FRANKLIN (6-5, 230) Edge, Lake City (SC) High School … Franklin received offers from Benedict College, Charlotte, Howard and North Greenville before committing to East Carolina on June 23. … Visited ECU on June 14 and received an offer from the Pirates after an individual workout. … ECU defensive tackles coach Roy Tesh led the recruiting effort for Franklin with special teams coordinator/defensive ends and outside linebackers coach Tim Daoust serving in a support role. …  Made an official visit to ECU on June 25. … Lake City was 4-4 during Franklin’s junior season. The Panthers were 4-2 in 3-A Region 6 play. (Image source: 247sports.com)
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MARLON GUNN JR. (5-11, 195) RB, Scotlandville Magnet High School, Baton Rouge, LA … A 3-star recruit, Gunn received an offer froim East Carolina on Sept. 12 and committed to the Pirates on Sept. 23. … He eceived offers from Alcorn State, Florida State, Louisiana, Louisiana Tech, Purdue, South Alabama, Southern Methodist, Texas Christian, Toledo, Tulane and Virginia. … ECU running backs coach Chris Foster was the primary recruiter. … Visited campus for the South Carolina-East Carolina game on Sept. 11. … Rated No. 54 among running backs nationally and the No. 30 prospect from the class of 2022 in Louisiana. … Gunn runs the 100-and 200-meter in track. … Scotlandville was 6-1 last season under coach Kris Peters. (Image source: 247sports.com)

JORDAN HUFF (6-2, 185) S, Hutchinson (KS) Junior College … Huff made visits and had offers from Georgia Southern, South Alabama and Texas State in the second round of his recruiting. … ECU safeties coach Tripp Weaver was the primary recruiter for Huff with cornerbacks coach Steve Ellis working in a secondary role. … Huff committed to the Pirates on Dec. 13 after a visit on Dec. 10. … Started his collegiate career at Georgia Tech, where he played in eight games. … Had three interceptions in his lone season at Hutchinson. … Huff’s offers coming out of Morgan County High School in Georgia included Indiana, Iowa State, Louisville, Michigan State, Ole Miss and Tennessee. … Huff will have three years of eligibility remaining. (Image source: 247sports.com)
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J.D. LAMPLEY (6-3, 290) DT, Richmond County High School, Rockingham … Lampley made a pledge to the Pirates on June 27 after receiving offers from Air Force, Army, Campbell, Coastal Carolina, Duke, Elon, Furman, Georgia Southern, Harvard, Liberty, Navy, Richmond, South Carolina and Yale. … East Carolina defensive tackles coach Roy Tesh was the primary recruiter and defensive coordinator Blake Harrell serving in a secondary role. …  ECU offered Lampley on May 5, 2020. … Richmond County is coached by Bryan Till. … Lampley had 12 solo tackles, six assists, seven tackles for loss and two sacks last season. … Lampley is rated a 3-star recruit and the No. 29 prospect in the state. (Image source: 247sports.com)
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ETHAN LANG (6-3, 318) C, IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL … Rated a 3-star prospect, Lang received offers from Alabama-Birmingham, Arkansas State, Austin Peay, Buffalo, Florida International, Fordham, Georgia State, Holy Cross, Liberty, Marshall, Massachusetts, Middle Tennessee State, Monmouth, Pennsylvania, Richmond and Western Kentucky before picking the Pirates on June 27. … East Carolina offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler recruited Lang. … Rated No. 73 among interior offensive linemen nationally. … IMG went 8-0 in 2020. … The Ascenders averaged 359.4 yards of total offense last season under coach Bobby Acosta. (Image source: 247sports.com)

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TYLER LEINBERGER (6-5, 310) OT, Thomas Dale High School, Chester, VA … Leinberger received an offer from East Carolina on June 12 after a camp session, visited on June 25 and committed to the Pirates on July 1. … Offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler and passing game coordinator/tight ends and inside receivers coach Latrell Scott spearheaded the recruiting effort for Leinberger, who also had offers from Campbell, Massachusetts and Richmond. …  Leinberger helped Dale to a 6-1 record as a junior, the loss coming to eventual Class 6 champion Oscar Smith in the second round of the playoffs. … The Knights, coached by Kevin Tucker, averaged 262.7 yards rushing and 111.1 yards passing during the spring 2021 season. … Dale is also the alma mater of Pirate defensive lineman Rick D’Abreu. (Image source: 247sports.com) Bonesville recruiting analyst Sammy Batten reports that Leinberger has decommitted from ECU but is keeping the Pirates among his options.
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C.J. MIMS (6-1, 295) DT, West Craven High School, Vanceboro … Mims was one of four recruits to pledge to the Pirates on June 27. … He had received offers from Army, Campbell, Charleston Southern, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Dartmouth, Duke, Georgia State, Howard, Liberty, Navy and Princeton. … Programs showing interest included N.C. State, Tulane, UNC and Wake Forest. … Offensive coordinator Donnie Kirkpatrick was the primary recruiter with defensive line coach Roy Tesh working in a secondary role. Defensive coordinator Blake Harrell also was involved in bringing Mims aboard the Pirate ship. … Mims attended camp at ECU on June 6 and received an offer that day. … West Craven, coached by Michael Twichell, was 4-1 last season as Mims had 26 solo tackles, 11 assists and 13 tackles for loss with two sacks. (Image source: New Bern Sun Journal)

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SHAUNDRE MIMS (6-0, 276) DT, Charleston Southern … Mims played on the high school level at West Craven and is the older brother of 2021 East Carolina early-period signee C.J. Mims. … He will enroll at ECU in January as a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility for the Pirates. … A 3-time All-Big South Conference first team choice, Mims had 58 solo stops and was in on 126 tops in 36 games with the Buccaneers. … Mims was involved on nine tackles in Charleston Southern’s 31-28 loss at ECU on Sept. 25. … Has 20.5 career sacks. … Played for Coach Michael Twichell at West Craven. (Image source: 247sports.com)

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PARKER MOORER (6-4, 306) OL, West Virginia … Moorer entered the transfer portal from West Virginia on Nov. 30 and joined the program at East Carolina on Dec. 9. … He played on the high school level at Mallard Creek in Charlotte where he was a Shrine Bowl choice in 2018. … Moorer’s dad, Robert, played football at Gardner-Webb. … Moorer redshirted for the Mountaineers in 2019. … He played in all 10 of WVU’s games in 2020, earning second team All Academic honors in the Big 12. … Moorer saw action on 135 snaps in 2020 and had 12 knockdown blocks. … Moorer was in on 44 plays in the Liberty Bowl against Army in 2020. … Played on both sides of the ball at Mallard Creek, where he was a member of the 2015 4-AA state championship team. … Played for coach Michael Palmieri at Mallard Creek. (Image source: 247sports.com)

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SHAVON REVEL JR. (6-3, 175) CB, Louisburg (NC) Junior College … Revel played three years at Winston-Salem Reynolds before finishing his high school career at Reagan. … He ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash and did an 11-foot standing broad jump in a camp at East Carolina on June 6 and committed to an offer by the Pirates on June 18, becoming the first player to pledge to ECU for the 2022 class. … Played on both sides of the ball as a senior at Reagan with 38 tackles, three tackles for loss and four interceptions on defense for a 9-4 team in 2019. He had 33 catches for 439 yards and five touchdowns on offense. … Louisburg did not have a season in 2020 due to the pandemic. … Pirates cornerbacks coach Steve Ellis was the primary recruiter for Revel with defensive tackles coach Roy Tesh serving in a secondary role. (Image source: 247sports.com)

JACOB SACRA (6-5, 310) OT, St. Francis Academy, Baltimore … Sacra committed to East Carolina on July 6 after receiving offers from Boston College, Liberty, Maryland, Old Dominion, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Virginia. … ECU offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler was the primary recruiter with passing game coordinator/inside receivers and tight ends coach Latrell Scott working in a support role. Offensive coordinator  Donnie Kirkpatrick and receivers coach Drew Dudzik also were involved. … The Pirates offered Sacra on Feb. 17 and he made a campus visit on June 18. … Sacra is rated a 3-star recruit. … Played for a 1-9 team at Madison County (Va.) as a sophomore. … Rated the 56th-best offensive tackle prospect nationally and the No. 15 recruit overall in Maryland. … Becomes the fifth offensive lineman to commit to ECU in the 2022 class. (Image source: 247sports.com)

ELISHA SAMPLES (6-4, 270) OT, North Forsyth High School, Cumming, GA … Samples picked East Carolina on June 22 after considering offers from Alabama-Birmingham, Campbell, Charleston Southern, Eastern Kentucky. Georgia State, Murray State, Richmond, Tennessee Tech and Troy.  … Pirates offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler was the primary recruiter with defensive coordinator Blake Harrell serving in a secondary role. … ECU offered Samples on June 21. … Pirates running backs coach Chris Foster identified Samples at a satellite camp at Mercer earlier in June. … Sam. (Image source: 247sports.com)

P.J. SIMMONS (6-2, 190) S, Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy, McDonough, GA … Simmons picked the Pirates on July 22 after receiving offers from Alabama-Birmingham, Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Georgia State, Kent State and Liberty. … Safeties coach Tripp Weaver, running backs coach Chris Foster and defensive coordinator Blake Harrell were involved in recruiting Simmons, who is playing at the same school that produced ECU running back Keaton Mitchell. … Eagle’s Landing Christian was 9-4 during Simmons’ junior season under coach Jonathan Gess. … The Chargers were 13-1 in 2019, defeating Wesleyan, 33-13, for the state 1-A private school championship. (Image source: 247sports.com) The recruiting site, 247sports.com, reported that Simmons decommitted from ECU on Oct. 11, 2021. Simmons will reportedly enroll at Georgian Southern.

BROCK SPALDING (5-11, 180) WR, South County High School, Lorton, VA … Spalding committed to the Pirates for the 2022 class on June 21 after receiving offers from Army, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Connecticut, Duke, Liberty, Marshall, Maryland, Massachusetts, Old Dominion, Toledo and Tulane. … ECU outside receivers coach Drew Dudzik was the primary recruiter for Spalding with offensive coordinator Donnie Kirkpatrick working in a secondary capacity. … The Pirates offered Spalding in May of 2020. … Had 45 catches for 882 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior as South County went 9-1 with a 62-21 loss to Oscar Smith in the Class 6 championship on May 1. … As a sophomore, Spalding had 85 receptions for 1,405 yards and 22 touchdowns as the Stallions went 15-0 with a 14-13 win over Oscar Smith in the state final. … Projected as a slot receiver for the Pirates. (Image source: 247sports.com)

NEMO SQUIRE (5-9, 200) RB, Dillon, SC … Squire received offers from Air Force, Army, Campbell, Eastern Michigan, Furman, Georgia State, James Madison, Navy, Pennsylvania, Western Kentucky and Yale before committing to East Carolina on August 26. …  ECU running backs coach Chris Foster was the primary recruiter for Squire with defensive tackles coach Roy Tesh working in a secondary capacity. … Programs that showed interest in Squire included Duke, Florida State, N.C. State, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. …  Squire also plays free safety for the Dillon Wildcats, coached by Kelvin Roller. … Dillon was 6-1 last season and started the 2021 campaign on Sept. 17 with a 47-13 win over Loris. (Image source: 247sports.com)

KALEB WEBB (6-3, 185) WR, McEachern High School, Powder Springs, GA … Other schools that made offers to Webb included Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Tennessee, Tulane, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Liberty, Navy, Western Kentucky, Campbell, Florida International and Pennsylvania. … Webb chose East Carolina on June 27. … ECU outside receivers coach Drew Dudzik was the primary recruiter for Webb, who received an offer from the Pirates on June 6. … Webb attended camp at Tennessee on June 24 before making an official visit to ECU on June 25. … Webb had 17 catches for 181 yards in seven games for McEachern last season. (Image source: 247sports.com) Bonesville recruiting analyst Sammy Batten reports that Webb decommitted from ECU and is expected to sign with Tennessee.

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