Thumbnail Sketches by Al Myatt
Click on LINKED NAMES for full-length feature profiles by Sammy Batten
Number of signees or commitments to date: 30
Most recent updates > 06.21.22:
Added 12 thumbnail sketches, for LB Chance Bates, RB Kamarro Edmonds, LB Michael Edwards, WR Jarrett Garner, LS Alex Harper, OL Ben Johnson, WR Jaylen Johnson, TE Maximillian Lantzsch, DE Jack Powers, OL Justin Redd, CB Aapri Washington, WR Isaiah Winstead
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’
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)
CHANCE BATES (6-1, 240) LB, Kennesaw State … Bates was Kennesaw State’s second leading tackler in 2021 with 28 solo stops and 20 assists, … He also had one interception, two quarterback hurries and one pass break-up as the Owls went 11-2 overall and 7-0 in the Big South Conference, reaching the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs before falling to East Tennessee State on the road, 32-31. … Bates entered the transfer portal on May 1 and joined the East Carolina program on June 2. … All-State selection at Colbert County High School in Alabama. (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)
KAMARRO EDMONDS (5-11, 230) RB, UNC … Transfer from UNC played on the high school level at Havelock, where he was rated a 4-star recruit. … Edmonds redshirted in 2021 and will have four years of eligibility remaining. … Edmonds ran for 50 yards on four carries in the spring game in Chapel Hill before entering the transfer portal. … He was regarded as the 10th-best running back in his class coming out of high school. … Appalachian State, Maryland, N.C. State and Tennessee were among the programs who made offers to Edmonds before he signed with the Tar Heels. … Edmonds can run between the tackles and has pass-catching ability. (Image source: 247sports.com)
MICHAEL EDWARDS (6-2, 210) LB, Georgia Southern … Edwards made nine starts as a freshman at Georgia Southern last year and finished with 59 tackles, including seven for loss. … Arkansas State and Samford also made offers after Edwards declared his intention to transfer. … Alabama-Birmingham, Maryland, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Troy and Western Kentucky made offers to Edwards when he was coming out of Hewitt-Trussville High School in Alabama. … Had 10 tackles last season against Appalachian State. … Played 470 snaps in 2021 on defense and was in on over 100 plays on special teams. (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)———-
JARRETT GARNER (6-3, 190) WR, Duke … Garner had 23 catches for 393 yards over the last two seasons at Duke. … ECU was among the programs offering Garner in 2017 along with Appalachian State and Louisville. …. Former Duke player and assistant coach Re’quan Boyette will be in his first season as outside receivers coach for the Pirates in 2022. … Garner played on the high school level at Hickory Ridge in Harrisburg where he had 43 catches for 846 yards with 10 touchdowns as a senior. … East Carolina has several significant voids from its 2021 receiving corps that Garner will contend to replace. (Image source: 247sports.com)
MARLON GUNN JR. (5-11, 195) RB, Scotlandville Magnet High School, Baton Rouge, LA … A 3-star recruit, Gunn received an offer from East Carolina on Sept. 12 and committed to the Pirates on Sept. 23. … He received 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)
ALEX HARPER (6-0, 250) LS, N.C. Central … Harper was in the N.C. Central program for three years before entering the transfer portal on Jan. 1 and joining the Pirates on Jan. 4. … Harper played football, baseball and golf at Rosewood in the Goldsboro area. … Played in 14 games for NCCU with two solo tackles. … Harper is expected to compete with preferred walk-on Tripp Smith of Hillcrest High School in Simpsonville, SC, for the long snapper position. … Hawkis wore No. 61 for NCCU in 2021 as the Eagles were 6-5 overall and 4-1 in the MEAC. … Hawkins is No. 49 on the 2022 East Carolina roster. (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)
BEN JOHNSON (6-4, 300) OL, Marist … Johnson entered the transfer portal on Dec. 13 and officially became part of the East Carolina program on Feb. 1, … Johnson was a second team All-Pioneer Football League selection at Marist in 2021. … He earned academic All-PFL honors in 2020. … Johnson was a captain for the Red Foxes and started every game at left tackle during a 5-5 season in which Marist was 5-3 in the PFL … Played right tackle earlier in his college career. … Johnson is a product of South Williamsport High School in Pennsylvania. … Johnson has a year of eligibility at ECU and is expected to contribute immediately. (Image source: 247sports.com)
JAYLEN JOHNSON (6-2, 192) WR, Georgia … Johnson walked on at Georgia in 2018 and received a scholarship in 2020. … Had three catches for 29 yards and one carry for six yards during the Bulldogs’ national championship season in 2021. … Also saw action on special teams during three seasons with the Bulldogs after a redshirt year. … Played at Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, GA. … Joins a wide receiver room at ECU that lost Audie Otomosho and Tyler Snead from the 2021 corps and is currently without C.J. Johnson due to a suspension. … Wore jersey No. 23 for Georgia. … Listed to wear No. 1 for the Pirates. (Image source: 247sports.com)—–
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)—–
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)
MAXIMILLIAN LANTZSCH (6-7, 240) TE, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, Rabun Gap, GA … Middle Tennessee State and East Carolina both offered Lantzsch on June 13 and he committed to the Pirates on that date. … Lantzsch was primarily recruited by ECU running backs coach Chris Foster with passing game coordinator/tight ends and inside receivers coach Latrell Scott working in a secondary role. … Lantzsch is from Germany. … He played two seasons at Rabun Gap after the pandemic. … The Eagles were 8-3 overall in 2021 with a 4-1 record in the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association Big South Conference. (Image source: 247sports.com)
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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)
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)
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)
JACK POWERS (6-2, 235) DE, Nevada … Helped the Wolf Pack to an 8-5 record in 2021 and a 5-3 mark in the Mountain West Conference. … Powers had 13 solo tackles last season and eight assists. … He also had four tackles for losses, 1.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries last season. … Powers entered the transfer portal on Dec. 29 and enrolled at East Carolina on Jan. 6. … Played on the high school level at Granite Bay (CA). … Helped prep team to section championship with 15 sacks and 24 tackles for loss. … Recruited by Cal-Davis out of high school. … Enrolled at Nevada as a preferred walk-on and was later placed on scholarship. (Image source: 247sports.com)
JUSTIN REDD (6-5, 300) OL, Norfolk State … Redd enrolled at Norfolk State in August of 2017 and entered the transfer portal on Jan. 22, 2022. … He enrolled at East Carolina on Feb. 4. … Redd was a Football Championship Subdivision All American for the Spartans and was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2021. … Played football and basketball at Hampton (Va.) High School, earning multiple region honors in football in helping the Crabbers to the 5-A state quarterfinals. … Started at right guard at Norfolk State last season. … Has one year of eligibility at ECU. (Image source: 247sports.com)
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)
AAPRI WASHINGTON (5-9-190) CB, Buffalo … Washington had 24 solo tackles and 15 assists last season at Buffalo with two tackles for losses, one sack, six pass break-ups and two fumble recoveries. … Played on the high school level at Mountain Island Charter in the Charlotte area. … Among programs making offers to Washington in 2013-14 were Boston College, Charlotte, Kentucky, Miami of Ohio, Mississippi State, Old Dominion, Syracuse, Texas Christian, Wake Forest and West Virginia. … Led the state in interceptions as a prep senior with 12. … Also rushed for 1,603 yards and 21 touchdowns in his last season at Mountain Island. (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.
ISAIAH WINSTEAD (6-3, 215) WR, Toledo … Winstead caught 38 passes for 520 yards and one touchdown as the Rockets were 7-6 overall and 5-3 in the Mid-American Conference in 2021. … Winstead had four catches for 31 yards in a 31-24 loss to Middle Tennessee State in the Bahamas Bowl. … Began his career at Norfolk State after playing on the high school level at Highland Springs in the Richmond area. … Entered the transfer portal on Feb. 3 and joined the ECU program on April 2. … Winstead has one season of eligibility remaining and is expected to challenge for a starting position. (Image source: 247sports.com)
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