Thumbnail Sketches by Al Myatt
Click on LINKED NAMES for full-length feature profiles by Sammy Batten
Number of signees or commitments to date: 20
• MOST RECENT UPDATE: 09.26.23 > Added link to Sammy Batten feature profile on Durham (NC) Hillside HS DE TIYYAN ROBINSON
Note: Thumbnail sketches displayed in red font are for previously committed players whose recruiting statuses have changed.
TRENTON CLOUD (6-1, 170) WR, Northwest Guilford High School, Greensboro … Cloud committed to East Carolina on March 13 after receiving offers from Appalachian State, Boston College, Charlotte, Duke, Eastern Michigan, Louisville, Michigan State, Minnesota, South Alabama, Wake Forest and West Virginia. … Rated a 3-star prospect. … ECU defensive tackles coach Roy Tesh was the primary recruiter for Cloud with running backs coach Re’quan Boyette working in a secondary role. … The Pirates offered Cloud on Sept. 22, 2022. … Cloud helped Northwest Guilford to a 10-3 overall record in 2022. The 4-A Vikings were 6-1 in conference play. … Northwest reached the third round of the NCHSAA playoffs before falling, 35-14, at Weddington. … Cloud had 71 catches for 1,003 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior. (Image source: 247sports.com)
TRANEL ‘T.J.’ ENGLEMAN (5-9, 180) RB, Hughes High School, Cincinnati … Engleman committed to East Carolina on June 25 after an official visit on June 22. … His primary recruiter is ECU running backs coach Re’quan Boyette with special teams coordinator/defensive ends/linebackers coach Tim Daoust serving in a secondary role. … Engleman received offers from Akron, Army, Austin Peay, Boston College, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cornell, Dartmouth, Eastern Michigan, Georgia Tech, Harvard, Kentucky, Miami of Ohio, South Florida, Toledo and Western Kentucky. … Rated a 3-star prospect. … Engleman helped the Hughes Big Red to a 6-4 record in 2022. … Was committed as a sophomore to Georgia Tech. (Image source: 247sports.com)
ERIC FLETCHER (6-1, 188) CB, Dunbar High School, Fort Myers, FL … Fletcher visited East Carolina on June 22 and committed to the Pirates on June 28. … Jules Molinar, ECU defensive passing game coordinator/cornerbacks coach, is the primary recruiter for Fletcher, who received offers from Alabama Birmingham, Bethune-Cookman, Indiana, Liberty, Marshall, Middle Tennessee State, North Carolina A&T, Purdue, South Florida, Temple and Toledo. … Fletcher helped Dunbar to a 10-2 record in 2022 with 30 receptions for 431 yards and seven touchdowns. … He had one carry for 15 yards as a junior for Coach Sam Brown, whose team was 4-0 in district play. … Pirates like Fletcher’s future as a defender. … The Tigers reached the semifinals of the Florida 3 S playoffs before losing 30-23 to Daytona Beach Mainland. … Fletcher has run 100 yards in 10.68 seconds in track. (Image source: 247sports.com)
DEMARIUS HINES (6-0, 180) S, Westlake High School, Atlanta … Hines received offers from Akron, Alabama Birmingham, Appalachian State, Army, Austin Peay, Buffalo, Coastal Carolina, Connecticut, Delaware, Eastern Michigan, Georgia State, Kent State, Massachesetts, Memphis, Middle Tennessee State, Mississippi Valley State, Northern Arizona, Old Dominion, Toledo and Tulane. … East Carolina safeties coach Tripp Weaver was the primary recruiter for Hines, who committed to the Pirates on June 24. … ECU defensive coordinator Blake Harrell assisted in the recruiting of Hines, who visited campus on June 22 after an offer from the Pirates on May 16. … Hines had 50 solo tackles with 35 assists, five tackles for loss and an interception in 2022 for a 9-4 Westlake team coached by Maurico Zackery. (Image source: 247sports.com)
COLE HODGE (6-2, 193) QB, Christian Academy of Louisville … Hodge is a 3-star prospect who was primarily recruited by East Carolina offensive coordinator Donnie Kirkpatrick. … He received an offer from ECU in February, made a second campus visit on June 8 and announced his commitment on June 13 after considering offers from Alabama Birmingham, Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Army, Ball State, Central Michigan, Charlotte, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia Southern, Liberty, Marshall, Memphis, Miami of Ohio and Western Michigan. … Hodge visted Central Michigan on June 2. … Hodge threw 48 touchdown passes with only four interceptions in leading the Centurions to a 15-0 record and a 3-A state championship with a 38-0 win over Bardstown in the final. … Chris Redman is Hodge’s quarterback coach at Christian Academy-Louisville.
CHAR’QUEZ LEE (6-1, 200) LB, Palmetto High School, Miami, FL … A 3-star prospect, Lee received offers from Akron, Alabama Birmingham, Appalachian State, Bowling Green, Central Florida, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Georgia State, Illinois, Indiana, Liberty, Marshall, South Alabama, Syracuse, Western Kentucky and Western Michigan before committing to East Carolina on July 3. … Visited ECU on June 22. … Pirates made an offer on May 9. … Rated No. 102 among linebackers nationally. … Played last two seasons at LaSalle before transferring to Palmetto. … Led a 4-6 Lions team in tackles in 2022 with 60 solos and 40 assists. … Also had one interception and one fumble recovery. … Joins a Palmetto program that was 6-6 and reached the second round of the playoffs last year. (Image source: 247sports.com)
OMARION LEWIS (6-2, 190) S, Tarboro … Lewis had five interceptions in 2022 for a 13-2 Tarboro team that finished with a 20-7 loss to Mount Airy in the NCHSAA 1-A championship at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. … Lewis had 46 solo tackles and 17 assists as a junior as well as six pass deflections and a fumble recovery. … Lewis made an impression at a prospect camp at ECU on June 11 and received an offer from the Pirates at that time. … He visited campus officially on June 22 and committed to ECU on June 25. … Lewis also received offers from North Carolina Central, Old Dominion and The Citadel. … Pirates safeties coach Tripp Weaver was the primary recruiter with offensive coordinator Donnie Kirkpatrick serving in a secondary capacity. … The Vikings open the 2023 season at Rocky Mount on Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. … Tarboro downed the Gryphons, 35-7, last year. (Image source: 247sports.com)
DILLON LORICK (6-1, 180) WR, Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, TN … Lorick visited East Carolina on June 22 and committed to the Pirates on June 25. … ECU had made an offer on April 10. … Primary recruiter for Lorick was Pirates outside receivers coach Dyrell Roberts. … Lorick selected ECU over offers that included Alabama Birmingham, Arkansas State, Austin Peay, Charlotte, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Furman, Georgia Southern, Howard, Kent State. Marshall, Miami of Ohio, Middle Tennessee State, Tennessee Martin, Tennessee State, Troy, Western Kentucky and Western Michigan. … Lorick helped Lipscomb to the Division II 2-A state championship with a 42-0 win over Christ Presbyterian in the final as the Mustangs finished 13-0. … Lorick averaged 12.4 minutes, 2.8 points and 2.2 rebounds for a 15-14 team in basketball. (Image source: 247sports.com)
ELIJAH McDOWELL (6-3, 180) CB, South Gwinnett High School, Snellville, GA … Boarded the Pirate ship with a commitment on June 26. … McDowell was offered by East Carolina during a campus visit on June 22. … Defensive pass game coordinator Jules Montinar was the primary recruiter with tight ends/inside receivers coach Aaron Auer working in a supporting role. … McDowell also received offers from Akron, Arkansas State, Colorado State, Connecticut, Elon, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern, James Madison, Miami of Ohio and Middle Tennesee State. … South Gwinnett will be looking to improve on a 4-6 record from 2022. … McDowell had 19 receptions for 269 yards with three touchdowns as a junior for the Comets. (Image source: 247sports.com)
KEVON MERRELL (6-1, 190) LB, Crisp County High School, Cordele, GA … Merrell received offers from Alabama Birmingham, Appalachian State, Charlotte, Colorado, Georgia State, Kent State, Kentucky, Liberty, Middle Tennessee State, Navy, South Alabama, South Florida, Southeast Missouri State, Troy, Tulane and Western Kentucky before committing to East Carolina on July 1. … Primary recruiter for ECU was defensive coordinator Blake Harrell with safeties coach Tripp Weaver assisting. … Merrell made a campus visit on June 9. … Rated a 3-star prospect and No. 130 overall in the state of Georgia. … Merrell had 22 solo tackles and 32 assists as Crisp County went 5-6 in 2022. He caused one fumble and had one fumble recovery. (Image source: 247sports.com)
PEYTON REEDER (6-5, 290) OT, Metrolina Christian Academy, Indian Trail … Reeder was recruited by new offensive line coach Allen Mogridge with defensive tackles coach Roy Tesh serving in a secondary capacity. … He committed to East Carolina on June 12 after receiving offers from Army, Brown, Bryant, Campbell, Charlotte, Elon, Furman, Georgia Southern, James Madison, Lehigh, Maine, Marshall, Maryland and Richmond. … Reeder attended Junior Day at ECU on March 25 and received an offer that day. … He made a campus visit on June 8. … Metrolina Christian was 4-6 in Reeder’s junior season. … Reeder was a basketball standout in middle school. … His dad, Thomas Reeder, played first base at Western Carolina. (Image source: 247sports.com)
JA’MARLEY RIDDLE (6-0, 180) S, Camden County High School, Kingsland, GA … Programs that offered Riddle prior to his commitment to East Carolina on Aug. 17 included Army, Charleston Southern, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Mercer, Navy, Northern Iowa, Southeast Missouri State and Tennessee Tech. … ECU safeties coach Tripp Weaver has been the primary recruiter. … Riddle rushed for 568 yards and five touchdowns as a junior in 2022 and had six catches for 98 yards with two TDs. … He had 32 solo tackles, 17 assists, two tackles for loss, one interception and five pass deflections last season as the Wildcats went 8-4 and reached the second round of the Georgia 7-A playoffs. … Also stood out as a special teams performer with 377 yards in kickoff returns and 278 yards in punt returns. … Riddle was an All-Region selection in football and basketball last school year. (Image source: 247sports.com)
SAM RIDDY (6-5, 240) DE, North Charleston (SC) High School … East Carolina made an offer to Riddy on June 20 and he committed to the Pirates on Aug. 8 after receiving offers from Benedict College, Bryant, Charleston Southern, Colgate, Navy, Newberry, North Carolina Central and The Citadel. … Pirates special teams coordinator/defensive ends/outside linebackers coach Tim Daoust was the primary recruiter with assistance from defensive tackles coach Roy Tesh. … Riddy had 17 solo tackles in 2022, with 32 assists, six tackles for loss and three sacks. … On offense, Riddy had seven catches for 49 yards. … Riddy has also competes in track and field with an effort of 40 feet, 10 inches in the shot put in April. He had a 100-meter time of 12.31 seconds in 2022 and also ran a 400-meter in 56.74. … Riddy’s size, speed and athleticism provides considerable potential. … (Image source: 247sports.com)
TIYYAN ROBINSON ((6-4, 230) DE, Durham Hillside High School … Robinson committed to East Carolina on Aug. 19 after receiving offers from Austin Peay, Bowling Green, Charlotte, Eastern Michigan, Florida A&M, Georgia State, Miami of Ohio, North Carolina Central; Ohio, South Florida and Temple. … Robinson made a campus visit on June 22. … Special teams coordinator/defensive ends/outside linebackers coach Tim Daoust was the primary recruiter with running backs coach Re’quan Boyette working in a secondary role. … Robinson had 14 solo tackles, 19 assists, six tackles for loss and two interceptions as the Hornets went 13-1 before losing in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 4-A playoffs. … Robinson had 4.5 tackles for loss as Hillside opened the 2023 season with a 20-12 win at Panther Creek. (Image source: 247sports.com)
NICK SLOGIK (6-4, 235) Edge, Bishop McDevitt, Harrisburg, PA … Slogik is a 3-star prospect who initially committed to Pitt to play baseball. … He had offers in football from Akron, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, James Madison, Kent State, Marshall, Maryland, Old Dominion, Pennsylvania, Syracuse, Temple and Toldeo before pledging to East Carolina on June 23. … ECU inside receivers/tight ends coach Aaron Auer was the primary recruiter for Slogik, who made a campus visit on June 5. … The Pirates offered Slogik on April 21. … Bishop McDevitt went 13-1 in 2022, winning the state 4-A championship, 41-18, over Alquippa. … Slogik played tight end with five catches for 64 yards with two touchdowns in nine games. … He was credited with seven solo tackles and nine assists on defense with one sack, one pass deflection and one fumble recovery for the Crusaders. (Image source: 247sports.com)
YANNICK SMITH (6-3, 190) WR, Summerville (SC) High School … Smith committed to East Carolina on July 28 after receiving offers from Alabama-Birmingham, Charleston Southern, Charlotte, Chattanooga, East Tennessee State, Elon, Florida A&M, Georgia State, James Madison, Liberty, Miami of Ohio, North Carolina Central, The Citadel and Wofford. … Outside receivers coach Dyrell Roberts was the primary recruiter for the Pirates. … Summerville is coming off an 11-3 season in 2022, reaching the semifinals of the 5-A state playoffs. … Smith had 50 catches for over 700 yards with six touchdowns as a junior for the Green Wave. … Smith averaged 18.5 points in basketball as a sophomore. … ECU made an offer to Smith on May 16. … He made unofficial visits on April 8 and July 27. … Summerville opens the 2023 season at Carolina Forest, the alma mater of Pirates quarterback Mason Garcia, on Aug. 25. (Image source: 247sports.com)
JYRON WAITERS (5-11, 180) WR, Wilson High School, Florence, SC … Programs that offered Waiters included Appalachian State, Central Michigan, Charlotte, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Howard, James Madison, Liberty, Navy, North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central, Old Dominion and The Citadel. … Waiters committed to East Carolina on June 26. … Inside receivers/tight ends coach Aaron Auer was the primary recruiter for Waiters with running backs coach Re’quan Boyette serving in a secondary capacity. … The Pirates offered Waiters on June 19 and he made a campus visit on June 22. … Waiters had 40 catches for 652 yards with 10 touchdowns for a 5-6 team in 2022. He had six carries for 42 yards. … Waiters saw action in 24 games for a Tigers basketball team that went 22-7. (Image source: 247sports.com)
KENNY WALZ (6-5, 300) OT, Manchester High School, Midlothian, VA … Manchester went 11-2 in 2022, reaching the second round of the Class 6 playoffs after going 9-0 in region play. … Walz is rated a 3-star prospect. … He comitted to East Carolina on June 24 after receiving offers from Army, Buffalo, Lehigh, Maine, Marshall, Morgan State, New Hampshire, Norfolk State, Old Dominion and Richmond. … Walz visited ECU on June 8. … He received an offer from the Pirates on May 17. … Offensive line coach Allen Mogridge was the primary recruiter with outside receivers coach Dyrell Roberts serving in a secondary role. … Walz helped a balanced Manchester attack that produced 1,404 yards rushing and 1,397 yards passing in 2022. (Image source: 247sports.com)
DA’MARE WILLIAMS (6-2, 180) ATH, Smoky Mountain High School, Sylva … Williams received offers from Appalachian State, Charlotte, Connecticut, Marshall, Miami of Ohio, Virginia Tech and Western Carolina before committing to East Carolina on June 24. … Tripp Weaver, ECU safeties coach, was the primary recruiter with defensive coordinator Blake Harrell contributing in a secondary role. … The Pirates offered Williams on Feb. 9 and he took a campus visit on June 22. … Smoky Mountain went 7-5 in 2022 with a 4-2 record in conference play. … The Mustangs reached the second round of the 3-A playoffs. … Williams had 61 catches for 1,024 yards with 13 touchdowns as a junior. … He ran the ball 26 times for 172 yards and a score. … He had three interceptions on defense, caused three fumbles and had two fumble recoveries. (Image source: 247sports.com)
JAVON WILLIAMS (6-2, 290) DL, Pinellas Park High School, Largo, FL … Williams received offers from Arkansas State, Bethune-Cookman, Central Florida, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Georgia State, Lafayette, Louisville, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Florida, Temple, Tennessee Tech, Toledo and West Virginia. … Pinellas Park was 6-5 in 2022. … Williams had 17 solo tackles and 43 assists with seven sacks as a junior. … East Carolina defensive tackles coach Roy Tesh was the primary recruiter with offensive line coach Allen Mogridge working in a secondary role. … Williams visited ECU on June 22 and committed to the Pirates on June 24. … Williams is rated a 3-star recruit. … He gained recruiting attention with 62 tackles and six sacks as a sophomore. (Image source: 247sports.com)
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