Thumbnail Sketches by Al Myatt
Click on LINKED NAMES for full-length feature profiles by Sammy Batten
Number of signees or commitments to date: 39
— RELATED ARTICLES —
• SAMMY BATTEN REPORT CARD PART 1: OFFENSE
• SAMMY BATTEN REPORT CARD PART 2: DEFENSE
• MOST RECENT UPDATES: 07.10.23 > Added 11 thumbnail sketches.
Note: Thumbnail sketches displayed in red font are for previously committed players whose recruiting statuses have changed.
TY ADAMS (5-11, 175) CB, Swainsboro (GA) High School … Adams received offers from Central Arkansas, Charleston Southern, Charlotte, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Jacksonville State, James Madison, Kent State, Liberty, Mercer and Middle Tennessee State. … Adams ran 40 yards in less than 4.4 seconds at a camp at Mercer in June. … Adams committed to East Carolina on June 19 after a visit on June 16. … ECU made an offer on June 15. … Adams ran 235 times for 1,778 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. … Adams had 28 solo tackles, 11 assists and two interceptions as the Tigers went 11-3 overall and 5-0 in 2-A Section 2 under Coach Scott Roberts. (Image source: 247sports.com) >>> Adams withdrew his commitment to ECU and reopened his recruitment.
ZION AGNEW (5-11, 165) WR, Ridge View High School, Columbia, SC … Agnew had 65 catches for 1,030 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior in 2021. … He received offers from Charlotte, James Madison and North Carolina A&T before committing to East Carolina on June 25. … Outside receivers coach Re’quan Boyette was the primary recruiter with recruiting coordinator and running backs coach Chris Foster working in a secondary capacity. … Agnew visited ECU on June 23. … He has run 40 yards in 4.4 seconds. … Rated a 3-star recruit. … Had six carries for 52 yards and a score as Ridge View went 6-5 in 2021 with a 2-2 mark in 5-A Region 4 play. … The Blazers are coached by Derek Howard. (Image source: 247sports.com)
RYAN BECKMAN (6-3, 285) OL, Akron … Beckman entered the transfer portal on Jan. 11 and enrolled at East Carolina on April 6. … He was redshirted in 2019 at Akron after a stellar high school career at Avon Lake (Ohio) High School, where he was an all-state selection. … His prep team went 10-2 his senior season and Beckman was Lineman of the Year in the conference. … He started all six games for the Zips during the 2020 COVID season and started all 11 games in which he played in 2021. … His father, Ted, played football at Fairmont State. … Has played center and left guard for the Zips, who were 2-10 in 2022. … Akron was 1-7 in the MAC during Beckman’s redshirt sophomore season with a 44-12 win at Northern Illinois. … The Zips averaged 2.9 yards per rush and yielded 19 sacks in 2022. (Image source: 247sports.com)
JAVIOUS BOND (5-11, 185) RB, Gray, GA, Jones County High School … Bond received offers from Boston College, Duke, Houston, Kansas State, Memphis, Minnesota, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, Tulane and Utah before signing with East Carolina in December. … Bond was scheduled to enroll at ECU in January. .. In 44 high school games, Bond ran 281 times for 1,904 yards and 23 touchdowns. … He had 72 receptions for 758 yards with 10 TDs. … As a safety for the Greyhounds, Bond had 244 tackles, including 142 solo stops with five interceptions. … He had four fumble recoveries and forced one fumble. … Jones County was 6-5 under coach Mike Chastain in 2022 with a 4-2 record in 5-A Region 2. … Rated a three-star prospect. … Bond has also played basketball, baseball and competed in track and field for the Greyhounds. (Image source: 247sports.com)
NATE BRANCH (5-10, 172) WR, Lower Richland High School, Hopkins, SC … Branch had offers from Coastal Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, Gardner-Webb, James Madison, Kentucky, Liberty, Marshall, Massachusetts, Middle Tennessee State, North Carolina, Tennessee-Martin, and Virginia Tech before committing to East Carolina on Sept. 18. … ECU running backs coach Chris Foster was the primary recruiter with passing game coordinator Latrell Scott in a secondary role. … The Pirates offered Branch on June 14. … Branch has 15 catches for 286 yards with two touchdowns this season for the Diamond Hornets in a 1-4 start. (Image source: 247sports.com)
TYMIR BROWN (6-0, 180) DB, Jacksonville, UNC … Committed to East Carolina on Dec. 12 and was expected to enroll in January. … Signed with UNC and saw action on special teams in three games as a true freshman in 2021. … Brown was a redshirt in 2022 and did not play. … Rated the No. 27 prospect in North Carolina in high school. … As a quarterback for former Pirate Beau Williams at Jacksonville, Brown passed for 635 yards with four touchdowns while running for 713 yards with 11 TDs. … Helped the Cardinals to a state runner-up finish as a sophomore. … Rated No. 14 among players in the state coming out of high school. … Also lettered in basketball as well as track and field at Jacksonville. … Appalachian State, Georgia Tech, N.C. State, Tennessee and West Virginia were among the teams that offered Brown in high school. (Image source: UNC Athletics)
JAVION CLARK (6-2, 175) DB, Macon, GA, Jones County High School … Recruited by ECU safeties coach Tripp Weaver and recruiting coordinator/running backs coach Chris Foster. … Clark made a campus visit on Dec. 15 before signing six days later. … Clark also received offers from Akron, Alabama Birmingham, Boston College, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Middle Tennessee State, Temple and Toledo. … Returned an interception 50 yards against Dutchtown in a 24-7 Greyhounds victory in 2022. … Helped Jones County to a 10-3 record and a 7-0 region mark as a junior … Clark had 85 tackles, eight pass breakups and one interception during his sophomore season. … High school teammate of ECU signee Javious Bond. … Clark had 26 solo tackles and 12 assists with two interceptions as a senior for a 6-5 team that went 4-2 in region play. (Image source: 247sports.com)
RANCE CONNER (5-10, 186) CB, Louisville … Had a fumble return against Boston College and an interception against Florida State in 2022. … As a redshirt in 2021, Conner had four tackles in the First Responder Bowl against Air Force. … Conner was rated a 3-star prospect coming out of Booker T. Washington High School in Miami, FL, where he received offers from Coastal Carolina, Florida, Florida International, Florida State, LSU, Kentucky, Miami, South Carolina, South Florida and Utah State. … Conner entered the transfer portal in December and transferred to East Carolina on April 28. … Booker T. Washington defeated Bolles of Jacksonville, 25-21, for the Florida state 4-A championship to cap a 13-2 season in Conner’s junior season in 2019. (Image source: 247sports.com)
B.J. DAVIS (6-2, 190) LB, Blair, SC, South Carolina State … Enrolled at South Carolina State in 2018 and played four years for the Bulldogs with 94 tackles as a senior. … Helped lead South Pointe to the South Carolina 4-A state title in 2017. … Committed to ECU on Dec. 14 and is expected to participate in spring practice. … Had 17 tackles against N.C. A&T last season and earned MEAC Player of the Week honors. … Also was league POW after picking off two passes in a win over Bethune, returning one 59 yards for a touchdown. … Made All-MEAC first team and HBCU All-American … Had 8.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions and seven pass breakups in 2022. … Entered the transfer portal on Dec. 1 … Davis will wear jeresey No. 2 for the Pirates. … The graduate transfer donned Nos. 5 and 15 during his time at South Carolina State. (Image source: SC State Athletics)
JULIEN DAVIS (6-2,220) LB, Union Grove High School, McDonough, GA … Davis received offers from Charlotte, Connecticut, Georgia State, Indiana, Memphis, Tennessee, South Florida and Western Kentucky. … He made a commitment to East Carolina on June 25 after a visit on June 23. … Defensive coordinator Blake Harrell spearheaded the recruiting effort with recruiting coordinator and running backs coach Chris Foster in a support role. … Davis also played basketball for the Wolverines, averaging 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds as a junior. … Union Grove was 6-5 overall and 4-3 in 5-A Region 4 in 2021. … The Pirates offered Davis on June 8. … Davis also has played running back for Coach Casey Smith. (Image source: 247sports.com)
KIERAN DAVIS (6-2, 240) DE, Blessed Trinity High School, Roswell, GA … Davis had 40 solo tackles, 37 assists, 19 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a junior. He also caused six fumbles and had three fumble recoveries for a 9-5 Titans team that went 3-2 in 5-A Region 7. … Programs making offers to Davis included Air Force, Alabama State, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Mercer, Miami of Ohio, Navy and Tulane. … Davis committed to East Carolina on June 28 after a visit on June 23. … ECU defensive coordinator Blake Harrell and defensive ends coach Tim Daoust were an effective 1-2 combination in bringing Davis aboard the Pirate ship. … Thomas Hall is head coach at Blessed Trinity. (Image source: 247sports.com)
RA RA DILLWORTH (6-1, 200) LB, Winston-Salem, UNC … Full name is Raneiria. … Played on the high school level at Kernersville Glenn. … Rated a 4-star prospect, Dillworth signed with UNC in December, 2020 after receiving offrers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma and Tennessee. … The pandemic wiped out his senior season at Glenn … Was the No. 17 linebacker prospect in his class nationally, according to 247Sports.com and was ranked No. 5 overall in the state. … Saw action in 22 games in two seasons at UNC with 19 tackles, including nine solo stops. … Had 2.5 tackles for loss with one sack for the Tar Heels. … Entered the transfer portal on Dec. 4 and committed to the Pirates on Jan. 5. … Dillworth is expected to take part in spring practice at ECU. … Has been timed in 4.4 seconds for 40 yards. … A cousin of former ECU and current Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian. (Image source: 247sports.com by Jim Hawkins/Inside Carolina)
DAYLYN DISTON (6-0, 175) CB, Lake Butler, FL, Union County High School … Programs making offers to Diston included Akron, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Navy, Temple, Troy and Western Kentucky. … Two-way player and three-year varsity member under Tigers coach Andrew Thomas … Helped Union County to a 30-8 record over three years, which included a Class 1-A semifinal appearance in the state playoffs in 2021 … Diston played safety and wide receiver/running back … Tallied 62 stops (20 solo) with five tackles for losses and one sack in 27 games. … Intercepted nine career passes (275 return yards) with 11 pass breakups … Returned three picks for touchdowns (two in 2021). … Caused a pair of fumbles and recovered one fumble … Rushed 64 times for 456 yards with six scores. … Hauled down 59 passes for 987 yards with 10 touchdowns. … Diston had 19 career touchdowns. … Regarded as a 3-star prospect. (Image source: 247sports.com)
AYDEN DUNCANSON (6-2, 185) DB, Whitefield Academy, Mableton, GA … Duncanson committed to East Carolina on Aug.1 after receiving offers from Appalachian State, Alabama State, Buffalo, Charlotte, Georgia Southern, Kent State, Navy, Toledo, Vanderbilt, West Virginia and Yale. … Cornerbacks coach Steve Ellis was the primary recruiter with defensive coordinator Blake Harrell serving in a secondary role. … ECU made an offer to Duncanson on Jan. 22 and he made a campus visit on June 23. … Duncanson had 16 solo tackles, seven assists and three interceptions in eight games for Whitefield, helping the Wolfpack to a 6-5 record in 2021. … As a high school junior on offense, he had 37 catches for 615 yards with three touchdowns, along with seven carries for 93 yards and one score. He completed 2 of 5 passes for 17 yards with one TD and one pick. … Duncanson is projected as a safety for the Pirates but has the versatility to play anywhere in the secondary. (Image source: 247sports.com) >>> Duncanson withdrew his commitment to ECU and reopened his recruitment.
KAMERON DURANT (6-3, 295) OL, Cane Bay High School, Summerville, SC … Durant received offers from Elon, North Carolina A&T and Presbyterian before committing to East Carolina on June 21. … Pirates offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler was the primary recruiter for Durant with defensive tackles coach and area recruiter Roy Tesh serving in a secondary capacity. … The Pirates made an offer on June 9 after Durant performed well at a prospect camp at ECU. … Cane Bay was 9-3 overall and 3-1 in 5-A Region 7 in 2021. … The Cobras are coached by Russell Zehr. … Durant is the fourth commitment in ECU’s 2023 class and the first on the offensive side of the ball. (Image source: 247sports.com)
ANTONIO FERGUSON (6-4, 235) TE, Apopka High School, Apopka, FL … Ferguson received offers from Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Florida International, Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, Georgia State, South Florida, Tennessee Martin and Tulane. … Cornerbacks coach Steve Ellis was the primary recruiter for Ellis, who received an offer from East Carolina on June 7. … He made a campus visit on June 23 and committed to the Pirates on July 2. … A 3-star prospect, Ferguson is rated No. 57 nationally among tight ends in the Class of 2023 and is No. 160 among all rising seniors in Florida. … Ferguson had three receptions for 29 yards as a junior during a season in which Apopka was 12-3 overall. … The Blue Darters were 3-0 in 8-A District 3 in 2021. (Image source: 247sports.com)
GERALD GREEN (5-9, 195) RB, Columbus, GA, Georgia Southern … Enrolled at East Carolina in January after graduating from Georgia Southern in December with a degree in interdisciplinary studies. … Green rushed for 1,456 yards on 256 attempts with 13 touchdowns in his Eagles career. … Green had five receptions for 39 yards. … Played on the high school level at East Coweta for coach John Small. … Named the 7-A Region 2 Player of the Year as a senior. … Rated the No. 21 all-purpose back nationally as a prep senior. … Green had offers from Appalachian State and Georgia State when he was coming out of high school in 2018. … Green ran for 132 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-42 win at Nebraska on Sept.10. … Missed games against Marshall and Appalachian State due to an injury but returned to start in a 23-21 loss to Buffalo in the Camelia Bowl. (Image source: Georgia Southern Athletics)
DUSTYN HALL (6-3, 308) OL, Duke … Hall tranferred to Duke from South Florida on Jan. 11 and then returned to the transfer portal on April 28. … He transferred to East Carolina on May 2. … Made 12 starts for USF in 2022 at right guard. … First-year Pirates offensive line coach Allen Mogridge was the OL coach for the Bulls for the last three seasons. … Made starts at center, left guard and right guard for USF in 2020. … Helped clear the way for Brian Battle to run for 1,186 yards last season. … ECU does not play the Bulls during the 2023 regular season. … Coming out of Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, FL, in 2018, Hall attracted offers from Appalachian State, Central Florida, Kentucky and Louisville. … He initially committed to UCF but decommitted in December 2018 and enrolled at USF. (Image source: 247sports.com)
ANTIONE JACKSON (6-0, 170) CB, Dillard High, Fort Lauderdale, FL … Wore No. 1 at Dillard, helping the Panthers to a 7-4 record in 2022. … Dillard was 10-2 in 2021. … Jackson is a 4-star prospect, who decommitted from Miami of Florida on March 25 and signed with East Carolina the same day. … He decommitted from Georgia in July of 2022. … His offers also included Alabama, Auburn, Colorado, Florida, Georgia Tech, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Pitt, Rutgers and Tennessee. … Rated No. 19 at his position in his class nationally and the No. 48 prospect overall in Florida. … Enrolled at ECU on June 15. … Has experience in press man coverage with an ability to jump routes. … Had four interceptions as a prep sophomore. … Has also run track. … Was scheduled to graduate high school in 2024 before reclassifying. (Image source: 247sports.com)
DEMORIS JENKINS (6-5, 200) DE, North Mecklenburg High School, Huntersville … Jenkins averaged four solo tackles per game as North Mecklenburg was 6-4 overall and 4-2 in league play under Coach Damon McKee in 2021. … Jenkins received offers from Appalachian State, Georgia State, Liberty, Middle Tennessee State and Ohio before committing to East Carolina on June 28. … Jenkins played for a 27-5 team in basketball that reached the NCHSAA 4-A semifinals in the 2021-22 season before losing to eventual champion Weddington, 72-69. … Defensive ends coach Tim Daoust and safeties Tripp Weaver were involved in securing the commitment from Jenkins, who visited on June 23. (Image source: 247sports.com)
RAHEIM JETER
(6-3, 200), QB, Spartanburg (SC) High School … … Jeter initially committed to West Virginia but reopened his recruiting and pledged to East Carolina on Oct. 22. … A 3-star prospect, Jeter is rated the No. 16 prospect in South Carolina and the No. 48 quarterback nationally. … He received offers from Auburn, Charlotte, Georgia, Kentucky, Memphis, Rutgers, Temple and Virginia Tech. … Jeter passed for 2,979 yards and 27 touchdowns as a junior. … Jeter helped the Vikings to an 8-5 record in 2022. … Jeter visited ECU on Oct. 14. … Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Donnie Kirkpatrick and running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Chris Foster were instrumental in bringing Jeter aboard the Pirate ship. (Image source: 247sports.com by Stephen Igoe)
DWIGHT JOHNSON JR. (6-0, 210) LB, Dutchtown High School, Hampton, GA … Johnson received offers from Alabama A&M, Army, Austin Peay, Buffalo, Charlotte, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Kansas State, Kent State, Liberty, Miami of Ohio, South Florida, Vanderbilt and Western Carolina. … He committed to East Carolina on June 28 after making an official visit to ECU on June 23. … The Pirates made an offer to Johnson on May 18. … Defensive coordinator Blake Harrell has been the primary recruiter for the middle linebacker. … Dutchtown was 7-4 overall in 2021 with a 6-1 record in 5-A Region 4. … The Bulldogs are coached by Clifford Fedd. … Johnson is known familiarly as “D.J.” (Image source: 247sports.com)
JONATHAN JONES (6-1, 195) CB, Campbell … Jones has played four years at Campbell. … Had 40 solo tackles for the Camels last season with 10 tackles for loss, three interceptions and a fumble recovery. … Jones had four solo stops in a 49-10 loss at East Carolina on Sept. 17. … Played on the high school level at Bishop Kenny, where he led the city of Jacksonville (FL) with 54 receptions for 786 yards and seven touchdowns as a wide receiver in 2018, adding 34 tackles with four interceptions and 11 pass break-ups as a defensive back…. Made 28 tackles for Campbell in 2019 with 20 solos. … In on 28 tackles in the 2020 season, which was limited to four games due to the pandemic with nine at Appalachian State, eight at Georgia Southern, six solos at Wake Forest and five at Coastal Carolina. (Image source: 247sports.com)
RYAN KING (6-3, 215) WR, Loganville, GA, Georgia Tech … King is a ransfer from Georgia Tech who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2023 … He was a 2-year letterman for the Yellow Jackets, playing in the 2021 and 2022 seasons for the Yellow Jackets. … King saw action in 24 career games with one start with five catches for 45 yards. … In 2022, King caught one pass against Ole Miss for nine yards and had three rceptions versus Duke for 29 yards. … Had career-long grab against the Blue Devils that went for 25 yards. … Had one catch in 2021 for seven yards at No. 6 Notre Dame. … King made five tackles in kickoff and punt coverage in 2021, including a season-best four stops against eventual ACC champion Pitt on Oct. 2. … Made first-career reception for seven yards at No. 6 Notre Dame (Nov. 20) … Played in two games versus eventual College Football Playoff participants Clemson and Notre Dame but did not record any statistics in 2020. … Was majoring in Computer Science at Georgia Tech. … Coached by Adam Carter at Grayson High School where he rated No. 73 nationally among wide receivers. (Image source: Georgia Tech Athletics)
TYQUAN KING (6-3, 215) LB, Dillon, SC, N.C. A&T …King committed to East Carolina on Dec. 14, 2022 and was scheduled to enroll at ECU in January. … It is anticipated that he will be on hand for spring practice. … King led the Aggies in tackles with 94, including 47 solo stops, on the way to earning first team All-Big South Conference in 2022. … He had 5.5 tackles for loss. … As a freshman at A&T, King made 33 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. … Rushed for 602 yards and 15 touchdowns on 67 carries as a junior under coach Jackie Hayes at Dillon High School. (Image source: 247sports.com by NC A&T Athletics)
MALIK LEVERETT (6-3, 200) WR, Greenbrier High School, Evans, GA … Leverett had 77 catches in 10 games for 1,326 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior with 18 carries for 136 yards and six scores. … The Greenbrier Wolfpack, coached by Tony Kramer, was 4-6 overall and 3-4 in 5-A Region 8 in 2021. … Leverett received offers from Akron, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Colorado, Georgia Southern, Indiana, Kansas State, Maryland, Miami of Ohio, Middle Tennessee State, Minnesota, Troy and Wake Forest. … ECU wide receivers coach Re’quan Boyette was the primary recruiter as the 3-star prospect made his commitment on June 26 after a visit on June 23. (Image source: 247sports.com)
JIMARION McCRIMON (6-5, 270) OT, Kissimmee, FL, Osceola High School … McCrimon committed to East Carolina on Jan. 27 after receiving offers from Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia State, Purdue, South Florida, Western Carolina and Western Kentucky among others. … Also has played basketball and competed in track and field at Osceola. … As a 4-year varsity football player, McCrimon helped the Kowboys to a 39-13 record. … Played the last two seasons under coach Eric Pinellas. … McCrimon was first team All-Area as selected by the Orlando Sentinel as a senior. … Made first team All-Orange Belt Conference. … The Kowboys offense had 1,957 yards passing and 2,351 yards rushing with 47 touchdowns in 2022. … Osceola’s offense produced 4,433 yards in McCrimon’s junior season with 61 scores. (Image source: 247sports.com)
TYRIK McDANIEL (6-1, 184) S, Independence (KS) Community College … McDaniel played on the high school level at Dutch Fork in Irmo, SC, where he was the No. 31 prospect in the state before signing with Old Dominion. … McDaniel saw action in 13 games for the Monarchs as a freshman with 10 tackles, including eight on special teams. … McDaniel entered the transfer portal in December, 2021. … He was a second team all-conference selection at Independence although he only played in five games due to a hand injury. … McDaniel had 41 tackles, four pass breakups and five tackles for loss before going out. … Charlotte, Indiana, New Mexico State, Norfolk State and Western Carolina also made offers. … East Carolina offered McDaniel on Nov. 14 and he committed on Nov. 24. … He is expected to have three years of eligibility for the Pirates. … Visited ECU the weekend of the Houston game in 2022. (Image source: 247sports.com)
KAMAURRI McKINLEY (6-0, 174) DB, Lakeland, FL, Lakeland High School … McKinley made his commitment to East Carolina on Dec. 19 after initially making a pledge to Toledo. … Lakeland went 14-0 in 2022 and claimed the Florida 4-S state championship with a 21-14 win over Venice. … The Dreadnaughts were ranked No. 14 nationally by MaxPreps. … Marvin Frazier is the Lakeland coach. … McKinley’s defensive totals as a junior and senior included 78 tackles, four tackles for loss, six interceptions and 15 pass breakups. … He had 51 tackles on special teams. … Rated as a 3-star prospect, McKinley’s offers included Illinois, South Florida, Troy and Tulane. … McKinley averaged 10.6 points and 5.6 rebounds as a junior in basketball for a team that went 21-4 and reached the state’s Elite 8. (Image source: 247sports.com)
OWEN MURPHY (6-6, 300) OT, Akron … Murphy redshirted at Akron in 2019, seeing action in one game against Ohio. … Started five of six games in a shortened season in 2020. … Made 10 starts out of 11 games at right tackle for the Zips in 2021. … Entered the transfer portal on Jan. 11 and transferred to East Carolina on April 5. … Joins Ryan Beckman as an offensive line transfer to ECU from Akron. … Beckman is an interior offensive lineman while Murphy has played tackle. … New Pirates offensive line coach Allen Mogridge has some experienced players such as Mujrphy to refurbish a unit with only one returning starter with veterans arriving via the portal. … Murphy played guard and tight end at St. Ignatius in Cleveland. … Prep team had a No. 36 national ranking during an 8-3 season in 2018. (Image source: 247sports.com)
DONTAVIUS NASH (6-2, 180) DB, Gastonia, UNC … Enrolled at East Carolina in January after playing two seasons at UNC. … Nash played in 10 games for the Tar Heels with three solo tackles. … Had stops against Miami and N.C. State in 2022. … Nash was rated the No. 18 overall prospect in the state coming out of Hunter Huss High School and was the No. 25 safety nationally. … Nash had 1,093 all-purpose yards, including 756 receiving yards with 13 touchdowns, 127 tackles and four interceoptions in three seasons on the prep level. … Nash helped the Huskies to a 13-1 record as a sophomore. … Made all-conference in basketball and also competed in track and field at Huss. … Appalachian State, Charlotte, Duke, ECU, Florida, Louisville, Michigan State and Ole Miss were among those making offers to Nash coming out of high school. (Image source: 247sports.com by Jim Hawkins/Inside Carolina)
MARLEO NEOLIEN (6-8, 310) OL, Oakdale, CT, St. Thomas More High School … A 3-star prospect, Neolien committed to East Carolina on Jan. 24, three days after receiving an offer from Penn State. … Played two seasons at St. Thomas More and one at Long Island Lutheran High School in 2020. … Heading into junior season, was named to the USA Football National High School All-American watch list … Member of the Chancellors squad that posted a 4-5 record in 2021 … Listed as the eighth-best player in Connecticut by ESPN … Neolien also received offers from Albany, Brown, Bryant, Central Connecticut State, Columbia, Dartmouth, Fordham, Lehigh, Maine, Monmouth, Morgan State, New Hampshire, Penn, Saint Francis, Stony Bridge, Temple Villanova, Wagner and Western Michigan. … First-year Pirates offensive line coach Allen Mogridge is credited with bringing Neolien aboard the Pirate ship. (Image source: 247sports.com)
JERRY RICE (5-7, 170) K, VMI … Rice enrolled at Virginia Military Institute on Aug. 1, 2019 and entered the transfer portal on Nov. 26, 2022. … He transferred to East Carolina on March 27. … Rice hit 11 of 15 field goal attempts for VMI as a junior in 2022 with a longest of 42 yards. … He made 16 of 17 point-after tries. … Fifth on VMI’s career scoring list with 197 points. … Could potentially provide some consistency in the placekicking phase in which the Pirates struggled in 2022. … ECU missed five of 51 touchdown conversion kick attempts last season. … Rice made the All-Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll in 2019-20. … His major at VMI was mechanical engineering. (Image source: 247sports.com)
DESIRRIO RILES (6-3, 225) ATH, University Christian, Jacksonville FL … Riles received offers from Boston College, Bowling Green, Coastal Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, Florida International, Florida A&M, Georgia State, Indiana, Marshall, Memphis, Michigan, South Florida, Tennessee Martin and Troy before switching his commitment from the Hoosiers to East Carolina on March 13. … Riles was productive on both sides of the ball for an 11-2 Christians team that reached the third round of the state playoffs his senior year. … He had 47 solo tackles and 21 assists with 14 sacks and two interceptions on defense. … Riles had 17 catches for 280 yards with four touchdowns on offense. He also completed 2-of-2 passes for 54 yards and ran 13 times for 48 yards. … His versatility extended to the basketball court where he averaged 11.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists as a junior. (Image source: 247sports.com)
KELAN ROBINSON (6-2, 205) WR, Kansas … Robinson entered the transfer portal on April 15 and transferred to East Carolina from Kansas on May 22. … Programs that offered Robinson coming out of South Grand Prairie High School in Texas in 2021 before he opted for the Jayhawks included Abilene Christian, Arkansas State, Duke, Liberty, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, Southern Miss, Stephen F. Austin, Toledo, Tulane and Texas San Antonio. … Saw limited action at Kansas. … Rated a 3-star transfer. … Was a 3-star prospect in leading South Grand Prairie to a 6-2 record and a state playoff berth as a senior. … Had two solo tackles against Texas Christian in 2022. (Image source: 247sports.com)
OMAR ROGERS (6-0, 200) S, Burlington, NJ, Elon … Enrolled at East Carolina in January after earning three letters at Elon. … Had 145 tackles, including 85 solo stops in 22 games for the Phoenix. … His college career numbers also include 7.5 tackles for losses, three sacks, seven interceptions for 186 yards, 10 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. … Was a second team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection in 2022 as Elon went 8-4 overall and 6-2 in league play. … CAA Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 31. … Intercepted two passes at Furman in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. … Played for Burlington Township (NJ) in high school. … Made all-state under coach Tom Madeira as a prep senior. … Rogers also played basketball and ran track in high school. … Slated to wear jersey No. 39 for the Pirates. (Image source: 247sports.com by Elon Athletics)
TAYE SEYMORE (6-1, 200) LB, South Atlanta High School, Atlanta … Seymore had 73 solo tackles and 77 assists for Lithia Springs (GA), where he played as a junior. … He had 11 tackles for loss and an interception in 2021 as the Lions went 5-7 overall and 3-2 in 5-A Region 6. … Offensively, Seymore had nine catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns as well as one carry for 30 yards in 2021. … He joins a South Atlanta program that was 11-2 overall and 8-0 in its region last year. … Charlotte, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Kent State, Liberty, Miami of Ohio, Middle Tennessee State and Toledo extended offers to Seymore before he committed to East Carolina on July 10. … The Pirates offered Seymore on May 3 and he visited campus on June 23. … Defensive coordinator Blake Harrell was the primary recruiter with recruiting coordinator/running backs coach Chris Foster assisting. (Image source: 247sports.com) >>> Duncanson withdrew his commitment to ECU and reopened his recruitment.
MICHAEL SHORT (6-3, 220) LB, Mallard Creek High School, Charlotte … Short committed to East Carolina on June 18 after receiving an offer on May 2. … He made an official visit to ECU on June 16. … Pirates safeties coach Tripp Weaver was the primary recruiter with special teams coordinator/defensive ends/linebackers coach Tim Daoust serving in a secondary role. … Programs that offered Short included Air Force, Appalachian State, Army, Brown, Campbell, Charlotte, Connecticut, Dartmouth, Furman, Holy Cross, Howard, James Madison, Kent State, Liberty, Memphis, Miami of Ohio, Navy, Ohio, Rhode Island, Rice, Richmond, William & Mary and Yale. … Mallard Creek was 6-5 last season and 3-3 in league play. (Image source: 247sports.com) >>> Short withdrew his commitment to ECU and reopened his recruitment.
CHASE SOWELL (6-2, 185) WR, Colorado … Sowell received offers from Incarnate Word, Northern Iowa, Sam Houston State and Texas San Antonio before settling on Colorado. … Helped Atascocita High School in Humble, TX, to an 11-3 overall record as a senior. … Rated three stars as a prospect and transfer. … Played in four games as a freshman for the Buffaloes in 2022 with two catches for 23 yards. … His dad, Ronnie, played baseball for Florida and his mom, Keisha, played soccer for the Gators. … Sowell went into the transfer portal on April 23 and tranferred to East Carolina on May 12. (Image source: 247sports.com)
ARCHER TRAFFORD (6-2, 240) P, Mississippi State … Trafford punted 16 times for an average of 42.4 yards for Mississippi State as a senior in 2022 with a longest of 60 yards against Alabama. … His 2021 numbers included 26 punts for an average of 42.4 yards with 11 inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. … Trafford’s hometown is Shreveport, LA. … Charles A. “Hardy” Trafford V was born in Budapest, Hungary. … A world champion in archery, Trafford transferred from the Air Force Academy to Mississippi State prior to the 2021 season. … Trafford did the punting, placekicking and was back-up quarterback at C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport. … Had a 100-yard punt for Air Force Prep in 2018. (Image source: 247sports.com)
GREGORY TURNER (6-2, 195) S, Hapeville Charter High School, Atlanta … Turner committed to East Carolina on June 18 after receiving offers from Akron, Buffalo, Colorado, Eastern Michigan, Florida Atlantic, Fordham, Indiana, Kent State, Middle Tennessee State and Tulane. … Primary recruiter for Turner was Pirates running backs coach Chris Foster with safeties coach Tripp Weaver serving in a secondary role. … The Hornets went 6-6 in 2021 with a 3-2 record in 4-A Region 6. … Turner was the first commitment in ECU’s 2023 recruiting class. … Hapeville Charter also is the alma mater of Pirates corner Malik Fleming. … ECU made an offer to Turner on May 3. ,., Has the potential to play sam linebacker. (Image source: 247sports.com)
BRYCE WEAVER (6-3, 300) OL, D.H. Conley High School, Greenville … East Carolina made an offer to Weaver on Jan. 29 and he made his commitment to join his hometown program on June 25 following an official visit on June 23. … Offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler and offensive coordinator/area recruiter Donnie Kirkpatrick have been involved in recruiting Weaver. … Conley, coached by Nate Conner, was 4-7 overall last season and 3-3 in league play. … Weaver had an offer from Elon as well as visits to Duke and N.C. State. … He made an unofficial visit to ECU on March 15. … Conley is the alma mater of Pirates quarterback Holton Ahlers. … Weaver is projected as an interior offensive lineman. (Image source: 247sports.com)
RICO WATKINS (5-11, 160) CB, Tallahassee, FL, James Rickards High School … Watkins is a 3-star prospect whose offers included Alabama State, Arkansas, Arkansas State, Buffalo, Campbell, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Florida A&M, Massachusetts, Mercer, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Oregon, Savannah State, Troy, South Florida and Vanderbilt. … Recruited by new East Carolina cornerbacks coach Jules Montinar. … The Pirates made an offer to Watkins on Jan. 16 and he visited campus on Jan. 27. … Watkins signed with ECU on Feb. 1. … Watkins also has run track in high school and was part of a 4×100 relay team was sixth in the Florida 3-A class his sophomore year. … Helped the Raiders to 20 football wins in three seasons. … The versatile Watkins caught 91 passes in his career for 1,623 yards with 13 touchdowns. … He had 387 rushing yards on 20 carries with three TDs. … He had 32 tackles as a senior with 22 solo stops and seven interceptions as a senior. (Image source: 247sports.com by Andrew Ivins)
CLASS OF 2023 POSITION TARGETS:
• Batten: ECU targets quarterbacks of the future
• Batten: Loaded Pirates still courting running backs
• Batten: Pirates cast wide net for wide receivers
• Batten: ECU faces uphill battle in hunt for tight ends
• Batten: Well stocked Pirates enter fray for offensive tackles
• Batten: Pirates aim high for interior line talent
• Batten: Pirates target edge rushers
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