East Carolina FootballPage 1 2021 Spring Prospectus

EAST CAROLINA SPRING MEDIA INFORMATION

GENERAL QUICK FACTS PRACTICE SCHEDULE (dates and times subject to change) Location: ...... Greenville, N.C. 27858 Friday, March 19 ...... shorts/no contact, 3:30-6 p.m. (practice complex) Founded: ...... 1907 Saturday, March 20 ...... shorts/no contact, 9:30-noon (practice complex) Enrollment: ...... 28,718 Tuesday, March 23 ...... shells/pads, 3:30-6 p.m. (practice complex) Conference: ...... American Athletic Thursday, March 25 ...... shells/pads, 3:30-6 p.m. (practice complex) Nickname: ...... Pirates Saturday, March 27 ...... shells/pads, 10-noon (practice complex) Colors: ...... Purple (PMS #268) and Gold (PMS #109) Home Stadium: ...... Dowdy-Ficklen (50,000/1963) Tuesday, March 30 ...... pro timing day, TBA (practice complex) Surface: ...... Natural Grass Tuesday, March 30 ...... shells/pads, 3:30-6 p.m. (practice complex) Chancellor: ...... Dr. Philip Rogers Thursday, April 1 ...... shells/pads, 3:30-6 p.m. (practice complex) Athletics Director: ...... Jon Gilbert Saturday, April 3 ...... scrimmage, 10-noon (Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium) Tuesday, April 6 ...... shells/pads, 3:30-6 p.m. (practice complex) FOOTBALL QUICK FACTS Thursday, April 8 ...... shells/pads, 3:30-6 p.m. (practice complex) 2020 Record: ...... 3-6 Saturday, April 10 ...... scrimmage, 10-noon (Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium) 2020 American Athletic Conference Record/Finish:...... 3-5/t-8th 2020 Postseason: ...... none Tuesday, April 13 ...... shells/pads, 3:30-6 p.m. (practice complex) Off ensive Scheme: ...... Spread Thursday, April 15 ...... shells/pads, 3:30-6 p.m. (practice complex) Defensive Scheme: ...... Multiple 3-4 Saturday, April 17 ...... spring game, 3 p.m. (Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium) Off ensive Starters Returning/Lost: ...... 10/1 Defensive Starters Returning/Lost: ...... 10/1 WHAT WE HAVE (2021) Specialists Starters Returning/Lost: ...... 2/2 ECU returns an impressive 89 percent of its ground yards in 2021, which was mostly responsible for Lettermen Returning: ...... 63 (27 off ., 33 def., 3 spec.) the Pirates’ 173.8 rushing yards-per-game average in 2020 - the program’s highest clip since 2007 ... Lettermen Lost: ...... 11 (4 off ., 5 def., 2 spec.) ECU returns 95 percent of its total yards (3,452 of 3,624) in 2021 … ECU returns a perfect 100 percent (2,060 of 2,060) of its passing yards in 2021 ... FOOTBALL STAFF Of ECU’s 33 last year, 24 (73 percent) were scored by players who return in 2021 ... Head Coach: ...... Mike Houston (Mars Hill ‘94) Of ECU’s 18 takeaways last year, 17 were tallied by defenders who return in 2021 - including all 10 picks … Record at ECU: ...... 7-14/third season All four Pirates who earned American Athletic Conference honors last year return in 2021, including Overall Coaching Record: ...... 87-39/11th season  Defensive Coordinator/ILBs: ...... Blake Harrell (Western Carolina ‘02) fi rst-team selection and rookie-of-the-year RB Rahjai Harris. Other all-league returners include CB Ja’Quan Off ensive Coordinator/QBs: ...... Donnie Kirkpatrick (Lenoir-Rhyne ‘82) McMillian, WR/RS Tyler Snead and ILB Xavier Smith ... Special Teams Coordinator/DEs/OLBs: ...... Tim Daoust (Wittenberg ‘01) Among 2020 individual national (FBS) off ensive stats leaders for 2021 returners -WR C.J. Johnson Passing Game Coordinator/IRs/TEs: ...... Latrell Scott (Hampton ‘99) stood 6th in yards per reception (21.3) and QB Holton Ahlers ranked 25th in passing TDs (18) ... Outside Receivers: ...... Drew Dudzik (James Madison ‘10) Among 2020 individual national (FBS) defensive stats leaders for 2021 returners - DT Elijah Morris Cornerbacks: ...... Steve Ellis (Nicholls State ‘03) was 3rd in recovered fumbles (3), CB Ja’Quan McMillian was 6th in total interceptions (4) and OLB Jireh Running Backs: ...... Chris Foster (Gardner-Webb ‘04) Wilson was 16th in forced fumbles (3) ... Off ensive Line: ...... Steve Shankweiler (Davidson ‘74) ECU’s defensive unit, which returns 10 of 11 starters in 2021, held two opponents under the 100-yard Defensive Tackles: ...... Roy Tesh (Greensboro ‘04) passing mark in ‘20 - a fi rst for an East Carolina defense since 2008 ... Safeties: ...... Tripp Weaver (East Carolina ‘12) Director of Strength/Conditioning: ...... John Williams, Jr. (N.C. A&T ‘95) WHAT TO LOOK FOR (2021) Director of Football Administration: ...... Dale Steele (South Carolina ‘76) Ahlers needs just 106 passing yards to move into fourth place on ECU’s career list (as a junior) and only Director of Football Operations: ...... Jake Kirkendall (Ohio ‘07) 1,081 to rank among the Top 3 Pirate passers of all-time (trailing only Shane Carden and ) ... Director of Player Development: ...... Tarron Williams (Gardner-Webb ‘09) Ahlers needs only 426 rushing yards to become ECU’s all-time leading rusher among signal-callers, Director of Player Personnel/Recruiting: ...Derek Miller (Bowling Green ‘14) surpassing Leander Green’s mark of 1,485 ... Director of Creative Media: ...... Jarrett Ozimek (Campbell ‘16) WHAT WE SAW (2020) 2021 DATES TO REMEMBER The Pirates closed the year with a two-game AAC win streak - a fi rst since 2015 - after averaging 40.0 Purple-Gold Spring Game: ...... April 17 (3 p.m.) points, 212.5 rushing yards and 470.0 total yards in those pair of victories ... Fall Camp/First Practice: ...... August 4 A total of 37 diff erent players (19/off ense, 18/defense) made starts in ‘20, including 21 fi rst-timers (11/O, Season Opener (Appalachian State): ...... September 2 10/D) - a number which ranked among the Top 15 nationally among all FBS programs ... American Conference Opener (Tulane): ...... October 2 ECU ranked among the Top 25 nationally in three statistical categories in 2020 - return average (10th/14.6 ypr), most fumbles recovered (25th/8) and most turnovers gained (25th/18) ... MEDIA RELATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA The Pirates scored 272 points during their pandemic-shortened nine-game schedule, which translated Assistant AD/Media Relations (FB contact): ...... Tom McClellan into a 30.2 scoring average - the 10th-highest all-time clip in ECU history ... Email/Phone:[email protected]/252-737-1274 offi ce, 252-414-0990 cell Harris and Keaton Mitchell’s collective fi ve 100-yard rushing outings in 2020 were the most overall Online: ...... www.ECUPirates.com, @ECUPiratesFB, @ECUAthletics individual century-mark ground eff orts at East Carolina since 2012. East Carolina FootballPage 2 2021 Spring Prospectus ECU’S OFFENSE ... AT-A-GLANCE Scheme: ...... Spread 2021 SPRING PERSONNEL ANALYSIS Starters Returning/Lost: ...... 10/1 STARTERS RETURNING (22) Lettermen Returning/Lost: ...... 27/4 OFFENSE (10): Holton Ahlers (QB), Sean Bailey (OG), Shane Calhoun (TE), Fernando Frye (C), Rahjai Harris (RB), C.J. 2020 Rushing Off ense: ...... 173.8 (57/6) Johnson (WR), Avery Jones (OG), Bailey Malovic (OT), Tyler Snead (WR), Nishad Strother (OT), 2020 Passing Off ense: ...... 228.9 (66/7) DEFENSE (10): Bruce Bivens (ILB), Rick D’Abreu (DT), Shawn Dourseau (SAF), Damir Faison (OLB), Malik Fleming 2020 Total Off ense: ...... 402.7 (58/7) (CB), Ja’Quan McMillian (CB), Elijah Morris (DT), Warren Saba (SAF), Xavier Smith (ILB), Jireh Wilson (SAF); does not 2020 Scoring Off ense:...... 30.2 (50/6) include SAF Gerard Stringer (DNP-INJ in ‘20, 12 starts in ‘19) SPECIALISTS (2): Tyler Snead (KR/PR), Jonn Young (P/H) 2020 3rd Down Percentage:...... 33.3 (108/10) Returners To Watch: QB Holton Ahlers, OG Sean Bailey, TE Shane STARTERS LOST (4) Calhoun, C Fernando Frye, RB Rahjai Harris, WR C.J. Johnson, OG OFFENSE (1): Blake Proehl (WR) Avery Jones, WR Audie Omotosho, WR Tyler Snead DEFENSE (1): Chris Willis (DE) () National/American Conference rank SPECIALISTS (2): Robert Hill (DS), Jake Verity (PK) ECU’S DEFENSE ... AT-A-GLANCE LETTERMEN RETURNING (63) Scheme: ...... Multiple 3-4 OFFENSE (27): Holton Ahlers (QB), Sean Bailey (OL), Cole Burgess (WR), Cam Burnette (WR), Zech Byrd (TE), Shane Starters Returning/Lost: ...... 10/1 Calhoun (TE), Justin Chase (OL), Maceo Donald (WR), Fernando Frye (OL), Mason Garcia (QB), Rahjai Harris (RB), Jsi Hatfi eld (WR), Noah Henderson (OL), Trent Holler (OL), Taji Hudson (WR), C.J. Johnson (WR), Jonathan Johnson Lettermen Returning/Lost: ...... 33/5 (WR), Avery Jones (OL), Bailey Malovic (OL), Keaton Mitchell (RB), Audie Omotosho (WR), Andre Pegues (WR), Tyler 2020 Rushing Defense: ...... 201.3 (98/8) Savage (WR), Tyler Snead (WR), Walter Stribling (OL), Nishad Strother (OL), Peyton Winstead (OL) 2020 Passing Defense: ...... 246.0 (85/8) DEFENSE (33): Myles Berry (ILB), Bruce Bivens (ILB), Jonathan Coleman II (SAF), Rick D’Abreu (DL), Shawn Dour- 2020 Total Defense: ...... 447.3 (102/10) seau (SAF), Damir Faison (OLB), Malik Fleming (CB), Henry Garrison (DL), Delvontae Harris (ILB), Damel Hickman 2020 Scoring Defense: ...... 35.4 (102/9) (CB), Immanuel Hickman (DL), Teylor Jackson (ILB), Nolan Johnson (CB), David Laney (SAF), *Jeremy Lewis (OLB), 2020 3rd Down Percentage:...... 37.2 (36/4) *Demetrius Mauney (SAF), Xavier McIver (DL), D’Angelo McKinnie (DL), Ja’Quan McMillian (CB), Elijah Morris (DL), Returners To Watch: ILB Bruce Bivens, DT Rick D’Abrue, SAF Shawn Juan Powell (SAF), Aaron Ramseur (ILB), Jason Romero (OLB), Warren Saba (SAF), Jason Shuford (DL), Xavier Smith Dourseau, CB Malik Fleming, CB Ja’Quan McMillian, ILB Xavier Smith, (ILB), Chad Stephens (OLB), Kareem Stinson (DL), Gerard Stringer (SAF), Dre Terry (OLB), Sean Tucker (CB), Teagan SAF Jireh Wilson Wilk (SAF), Jireh Wilson (SAF); *lettered as off ensive player in 2020 SPECIALISTS (3): Luke Larsen (P), Tyler Snead (KR/PR), Jonn Young (P/H) () National/American Conference rank LETTERMEN LOST (11) ECU’S SPECIAL TEAMS ... AT-A-GLANCE OFFENSE (4): Trace Christian (RB), Darius Pinnix Jr. (RB), Blake Proehl (WR), D’Ante Smith (OL) Starters Returning/Lost: ...... 2/2 DEFENSE (5): Alex Angus (OLB), Hozey Haji-Badri (DL), Robert Kennedy (CB), Davondre Robinson (SAF), Chris Willis (DL) Lettermen Returning/Lost: ...... 3/2 SPECIALISTS (2): Robert Hill (DS), Jake Verity (PK), 2020 Field Goals/Game Average: ...... 1.56 (18/2) 2020 Net Punting Average:...... 37.8 (82/7) NON-LETTERMEN, REDSHIRTS, TRANSFERS, *SIGNEES (52) 2020 Kickoff Return Average: ...... 19.1 (87/7) OFFENSE (21): Derrick Alston (RB), Asa Barnes (RB), Nick Bernhard (OL), Grant Copeland (OL), Terrance Copper Jr. (WR), John Ross Edwards (OL), Hampton Ergle (OL), Keziah Everett (OL), Alex Flinn (QB), Isaiah Foote (OL), Bryan 2020 Punt Return Average: ...... 14.6 (10/2) Gagg (TE), Collin Jennings (OL), *Ryan Jones (TE), Kerry King (WR), Grayson Lewis (OL), Josh Murphy (WR), *Richard Returners To Watch: KR Keaton Mitchell, KR/PR Tyler Snead, P/H Pearce (OL), Jaquaez Powell (OL), Joseph Samson (TE), *Walter Simmons III (QB), Ryan Stubblefi eld (QB), Jonn Young DEFENSE (25): Wistar Allen (ILB), Nick Callahan (ILB), *Jayden Chalmers, Nasir Clerk (CB), C.J. Crump (CB), Eric () National/American Conference rank Doctor (ILB), Dru Dotter (SAF), Zion Evans (ILB), *D.J. Ford (SAF), , Traveon Freshwater (DL), Seth Giles (CB), Hunter Harrelson (SAF), Trevon Hayes (OLB), Justyn Haynesworth (DL), D’Anta Johnson (DL), J’Vian McCray (DL), Ty Moss PHONETICAL PIRATES (SAF), Elijah Robinson (OLB), *Jacoby Simpson (ILB), Nick Stites (ILB), *Cruz Temple (SAF), Suirad Ware (DL), Amir Holton Ahlers ...... Holton AYE-lurrs Webster (CB), Zakkai Wilson (DL), John Wright (SAF) Nasir Clerk ...... nah-SEAR Clerk SPECIALISTS (6): Liam Crowley (DS), Owen Daff er (PK), Max Durschlag (DS), Colson Graham (PK/P), Patrick Nations Rick D’Abreu ...... Rick D-uh-BRAY-you (PK), Clayton Stancil (DS); *only December (2020) signees who enrolled at ECU early included Shawn Dourseau ...... Shawn DOOR-sew PIRATES BY CLASS (114) Keziah Everett ...... key-ZAI-uh Everett SENIORS/GRADS (10): Sean Bailey (OL), Bruce Bivens (ILB), Justin Chase (OL), *D.J. Ford (SAF), Fernando Frye Damir Faison ...... Dah-MEER FAY-zon (OL), Jonathan Johnson (WR), Audie Omotosho (WR), Aaron Ramseur (ILB), Warren Saba (SAF), Jonn Young (P) Malik Fleming ...... mah-LEEK Fleming JUNIORS (11): Holton Ahlers (QB), Myles Berry (ILB), Cam Burnette (WR), Zech Byrd (TE), Henry Garrison (DL), Del- Rahjai Harris ...... RAH-jay Harris vontae Harris (ILB), *Ryan Jones (TE), Bailey Malovic (OL), Xavier Smith (ILB), Gerard Stringer (SAF), Dre Terry (OLB) Jsi Hatfi eld...... juh-SYE Hatfi eld SOPHOMORES (24): Nick Bernhard (OL), Rick D’Abreu (DL), Maceo Donald (WR), Shawn Dourseau (SAF), Max Damel Hickman ...... deh-MELL Hickman Durschlag (DS), Damir Faison (OLB), Malik Fleming (CB), Seth Giles (CB), Jsi Hatfi eld (WR), Noah Henderson (OL), Taji Hudson ...... TAH-jee Hudson Damel Hickman (CB), C.J. Johnson (WR), Nolan Johnson (CB), Avery Jones (OL), Jeremy Lewis (OLB), Demetrius D’Anta Johnson...... dee-ANTAY Johnson Mauney (SAF), D’Angelo McKinnie (DL), Ja’Quan McMillian (CB), Andre Pegues (WR), Elijah Robinson (OLB), *Jacoby Simpson (ILB), Tyler Snead (WR), Jireh Wilson (SAF), Peyton Winstead (OL) Bailey Malovic ...... Bailey MAHL-oh-vick FRESHMEN (69/12 true): Wistar Allen (ILB), Derrick Alston Jr. (RB), Asa Barnes (RB), Cole Burgess (WR), Shane Demetrius Mauney ...... Demetrius MOONEY Calhoun (TE), Nick Callahan (ILB), *Jayden Chalmers (CB), Nasir Clerk (CB), Jonathan Coleman II (SAF), Grant Cope- J’Vian McCray ...... JAY-vee-uhn McCray land (OL), Terrance Copper Jr. (WR), Liam Crowley (DS), C.J. Crump (CB), Owen Daff er (PK), Eric Doctor (ILB), Dru Ja’Quan McMillian ...... juh-KWAN McMillian Dotter (SAF), John Ross Edwards (OL), Hampton Ergle (OL), Zion Evans (ILB), Keziah Everett (OL), Alex Flinn (QB), Audie Omotosho...... Audie oh-moe-TOE-show Isaiah Foote (OL), Traveon Freshwater (DL), Bryan Gagg (TE), Mason Garcia (QB), Colson Graham (PK/P), Hunter Andre Pegues...... Andre puh-GEESE Harrelson (SAF), Rahjai Harris (RB), Trevon Hayes (OLB), Justyn Haynesworth (DL), Immanuel Hickman (DL), Trent Jaquaez Powell ...... jah-KWEZ Powell Holler (OL), Taji Hudson ((WR), Teylor Jackson (ILB), Collin Jennings (OL), D’Anta Johnson (DL), Kerry King (WR), Juan Powell ...... juh-WANN Powell David Laney (SAF), Luke Larsen (P), Grayson Lewis (OL), J’Vian McCray (DL), Xavier McIver (DL), Keaton Mitchell (RB), Elijah Morris (DL), Ty Moss (SAF), Josh Murphy (WR), Patrick Nations (PK), *Richard Pearce (OL), Jaquaez Aaron Ramseur ...... Aaron RAM-sewer Powell (OL), Juan Powell (SAF), Jason Romero (OLB), Joseph Samson (TE), Tyler Savage (WR), Jason Shuford (DL), Warren Saba ...... Warren SAY-buh *Walter Simmons III (QB), Clayton Stancil (DS), Chad Stephens (OLB), Kareem Stinson (DL), Nick Stites (ILB), Walter Nishad Strother ...... NYE-shod STROWE-thur Stribling (OL), Nishad Strother (OL), Ryan Stubblefi eld (QB), *Cruz Temple (SAF), Sean Tucker (CB), Suirad Ware Suirad Ware ...... sue-RAD Ware (DL), Amir Webster (CB), Teagan Wilk (SAF), Zakkai Wilson (DL), John Wright (SAF); *only December (2020) signees Jireh Wilson ...... JAI-ruh Wilson who enrolled at ECU early included