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Thumbnail sketches of
players committed to ECU
Updated 02.02.06. Thumbnails
reflect players that signed with East Carolina on Feb. 1, 2006,
and include a sketch on one player that withdrew an early
commitment and signed elsewhere. |
Compiled by
Al Myatt
©2005-2006 Bonesville.net
(Click
BOLD BLUE links to view
feature-length
profiles by Sammy Batten or staff news reports.)
SEAN ALLEN (6-4, 290) OL, Wilson (NC)
Hunt ... made a verbal commitment in December after an in-home visit by the
ECU coaching staff in mid-December ... picked the Pirates because of the
proximity to his home and because of the program's potential ... visited
campus in early January and was hosted by ECU offensive lineman Eric Graham
... may provide immediate depth at offensive right tackle ... had a
scholarship offer from Virginia Tech in the summer ... North Carolina, South
Carolina and Wake Forest all expressed interest in Allen ... a 3-year
starter at Hunt for Coach Randy Raper ... Warriors' 3-A prep team was 12-2
in 2005, reaching the third round of the state playoffs ... Allen graded out
at 90 percent for the season on his blocking assignments ... will be only 17
years old when he enrolls at ECU.
CHRIS ATKINS (6-3,
200) LB, West Gadsden High, Chattahoochee, FL ... Team captain had 100
tackles, 11 sacks and 27 tackles for loss as a senior. ... Junior
numbers included 108 tackles, 15 sacks and 34 tackles for loss. ...
Completed his prep career with 311 total tackles. ... has also lettered
in basketball and baseball. ... Academic accomplishments include four
times on the school's A-B honor roll. ... Intended major at ECU is
business management. ... Lists cooking as a hobby.
WILLIE BARTON (6-5,
350) OL, Georgia Military, Milledgeville, GA ... Barton twice earned All
America honors at the same junior college program that produced current
Pirates star receiver Aundrae Allison. ... Linebacker Fred Wilson of
Georgia Military signed with ECU in December. ... GM program went 9-2 in
2005 with a win in the Golden Isles Bowl over Coffeyville (KS) Community
College. ... Team also went to the GI Bowl in Barton's freshman season
and finished 8-2. ... Coached at GM by Bert WIlliams. ... Will be a
junior on the field for the Pirates in 2006. ... Played four seasons at
Manatee High in Palmetto, Fla., during which time the prep program was
31-16 with four straight 5-A playoff berths. ... Coached by Howie
DeCristofaro at Manatee, where Barton started as a junior and senior.
... Plans to major in business with a minor in sports studies. ... Hobby
is basketball.
JAVON BRUMSEY (6-5, 190) WR,
Elizabeth City (NC) Northeastern ... 181 career receptions for
Northeastern as a 3-year varsity starter for 3,379 yards and 25
touchdowns ... during his senior season, Brumsey had 51 catches for 967
yards and six TDs, helping the Eagles to the Northeastern Coastal
3-A/2-A league title and a 10-2 overall record ... coached by Antonio
Moore, who converted Brumsey from a safety on the junior varsity ... had
68 catches for 1,269 yards and nine scores as a junior ... committed to
ECU after his official visit on Jan. 6 ... ECU coach Skip Holtz first
saw Brumsey during a visit to Northeastern in the spring of 2005 and
told Moore "I'll be back to get him." ... N.C. State and Virginia were
also involved in recruiting Brumsey, who has run a 4.43 second/40 yards
... prep program also produced ECU receiver Phillip Henry.
JOE COUNCIL (6-4,
235) DL, Colleton County High, Walterboro, SC ... Team improved from 3-8
in 2004 to 7-5 in Council's senior season and captured a regional title
in 2005. ... Senior totals included 120 tackles, 15 sacks and 26 tackles
for losses. ... Had a team-high 42 quarterback pressures and two pass
deflections in 2005. ... Named to the Charleston (SC) Post & Courier's
All Low Country team and earned all conference recognition as a senior.
... His junior totals included 43 tackles, three sacks and a pass
deflection. ... Won three varsity letters as a power forward in
basketball, where he was coached by Bernie Riley ... Playing style was
particularly favored by ECU defensive line coach Donnie Thoompson. ...
Newark, NJ native plans a political science major.
CORY DOWLESS (6-5,
300) OL, Eastern Randolph High, Franklinville, NC ... Prep program,
coached by Burton Cates, was 48-7 during Dowless' career. ... An
all-conference choice as a junior and senior with an incredible 125
"pancake" blocks during that span. ... competes in shot put and discus
in track and field. ... Getting it done in the classroom, too, as
membership in Beta Club and National Honor Society attests. ... a team
captain as a senior.
ANDREW FARR (6-4, 280),
OL, Hargrave Military Academy, Chatham, VA. ... 18-year old signed with ECU
in December, enters school in January and will be available for spring
practice as the Pirates seek to bolster the offensive line. ... Spent a year
on the prep level at Hargrave and improved his classroom work after being
regarded as one of the top prospects in Alabama at Pell City High. ...
Two-time all-state in high school. ... Squat lifted 455 pounds and benched
375 in high school. ... Said Hargrave experience helped him mature. ...
Comes from a football family as brother Jeffrey played at Mississippi State,
dad Paul played at Delta State, grandfather Lamont Rich played at Northeast
Mississippi Junior College and Uncle Pete Rich performed at Southern Miss.
... High school coach was Jay Brown.
ORLANDO FARROW
(6-3, 230) LB, DE , Lackawanna College, Scranton, PA ... played for
Coach Mark Duda, who played six season in the NFL with the St.
Louis/Phoenix Cardinals ... Falcons compiled a 5-3 record in 2005 ...
Wore No. 5 and played linebacker at Lackawanna ... played on the high
school level at Sussex Central in Georgetown, Delaware ... had an
82-yard interception return for a touchdown for Lackawanna's first score
in a 24-14 win over Morrisville State on Oct. 15 ... was in on 62
tackles, a team high ... had one sack, one fumble recovery, two forced
fumbles and a blocked kick in 2005 ... had nine solo tackles and seven
assists in a 17-10 loss to Navy Prep ... thought to be leaning toward
N.C. State in October but indicated his commitment to ECU in December.
KEVIN GIDREY (6-3,
245) TE, Virginia Beach (VA) Kempsville High ... Chiefs coached by Jeff
McGowan went 8-2 in the regular season in 2005 ... stepped in at tight
end where Virginia signee Jason Fuller played in 2004 ... also a strong
basketball player ... coached on the hardwood by Taft Hickman, who
earlier this season recorded his 400th career win. ... Gidrey had a
31-yard fumble return in a 28-13 win over Cox High on Nov. 10.
DWAYNE HARRIS (6-0,
190), QB, Tucker High School, Stone Mountain, GA ... All-state selection
in Class 4-A as a senior after leading team, coached by Bill Ballard, to
a 10-1 record and Region 6 title. ... Team was ranked as high as No. 3
in the state in 2005. ... made all-DeKalb County. ... MVP of North-South
All-Star game. ... Passed for 1,334 yards and 10 touchdowns with 524
yards rushing and seven TDs on the ground in 2005. ... lettered four
years and was team captain as a senior. ... Also lettered in basketball
and baseball. ... A top 25 prospect in Georgia as rated by SuperPrep
magazine. ... planning a major in business.
DAVION HOLMAN (6-4,
265) DL, Orlando (FL) Dr. Phillips High ... An All Orange County
selection by the Orlando Sentinel for the 2005 season ... committed to
the Pirates after a campus visit on Jan. 6 citing that ECU was the
choice of his heart ... also excited about joining the returning talent
on ECU's defensive front ... coached on the prep level by Kevin Pettis
... Panthers compiled a 5-5 record in 2005 ... campus is in southwest
Orlando, across from Universal Studios' Florida location.
A.J. JOHNSON (6-2,
225) LB, Southside High, Atlanta, GA ... Started four years and was
defensive MVP for three at program guided by Eric Williams. ... Had 212
tackles and 19 sacks total in his junior and senior seasons. ... Forced
four fumbles in 2005. ... Team captain in football. ... also lettered in
basketball and baseball. ... Full name is Anthony Johnson. ... has a
cousin, Inky, who is a defensive back at the University of Tennessee.
... plans a major in sports management.
NICK JOHNSON, (6-1, 220), LB, Charlotte
East Mecklenberg ... Third commitment for 2006 signing class ... North
Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee showed interest but ECU made first
scholarship offer ... Pirates personnel losses at linebacker influenced
decision ... played quarterback in middle school ... physical player who
earned All Southwestern Conference honors as a sophomore ... repeat
selection as a junior when he had 151 tackles, five sacks, 11 tackles for
losses, three interceptions and five blocked kicks ... Dad, Ed, played high
school football at East Henderson.
DEKOTA MARSHALL (6-1, 180) RB/CB
(Southwest Onslow) ... Vital cog in Stallions bid to three-peat as state
champions in 2005. ... Reported to have been at the top of ECU's recruiting
board when he committed on Oct. 17. ... Runs a 4.4-second/40 yards and has
bench pressed over 330 pounds. ... Coached by Phil Padgett. ... Teammate
Kendric Burney, who plays quarterback on offense and corner on defense, has
committed to North Carolina. ... ECU defensive backs coach Rick Smith helped
bring Marshall aboard the Pirate ship. ... Southwest topped Burlington
Cummings 20-14 for the state title in 2003 and rolled past Shelby 49-21 for
the state crown in 2004. ... Coach Padgett credits Marshall's development to
hard work.
TRAVIS MELVIN (6-7, 265), OL/DL, Cape
Fear High, Fayetteville ... Made a verbal commitment to the Pirates prior to
the Christmas holidays ... Division I-AA Catawba was the only other offer
Melvin received although South Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech had
shown interest. ... ECU offered near the end of Melvin's junior season. ...
Coached on the prep level by Mark Heil ... A two-year starter at offensive
tackle, Melvin made All-Two Rivers Conference as a senior and also was named
to the Fayetteville Observer's All-Cape Fear region team. ... Sustained a
broken foot in October, 2005, which required the insertion of screws and a
metal plate to augment the healing process. ... The injury and ECU's plans
to convert Melvin into a defensive lineman likely will mean that he will be
redshirted as a true freshman. ... Was scheduled to make his official visit
to ECU the weekend of Jan. 7. ... Comes from an athletic family. Dad, Keith,
who is retired from military service, played high school basketball and
brother, Rodney, played hoops collegiately at UNC Pembroke and Greensboro
College.
DANNY MUHWEZI (6-3,
235) LB, Lackawanna College, Scranton, PA ... Signed with ECU in December,
scheduled to enroll in January and participate in spring practice as the
Pirates look to shore up their linebacking crew for 2006. ... played two
seasons as a starter on the junior college level. ... Had 60 career tackles
for the Falcons of coach Mark Duda with six sacks, five forced fumbles and
three interceptions. ... Team was 5-3 in 2005 as Muhwezi was in on 26 stops,
including five for lost yardage. ... 21-year old native of Ames, Iowa played
at three different high schools including Wichita (KS) Independent High,
Wichita (KS) West and Seneca Valley (MD). ... Had 128 tackles for Seneca
Valley's Class 3-A champions in 2002, including 20 for losses. ... Saw two
platoon duty in Kansas as a receiver and also lettered in basketball on the
prep level. ... Aspires to a degree in physical therapy at ECU.
LORENZO OSBORNE
(6-3, 200) LB, Mays High, Atlanta, GA ... A 3-time Atlanta
Journal-Constitution All-City choice. ... Mays won regional title when
Osborne was a sophomore and made the playoffs again in 2005 under coach
Rodney Hackney. ... Made 106 tackles, 17 sacks, recovered five fumbles
and scored two touchdowns as a senior. ... Has run a 48.6 second/400
meters in track and has a 4.5 second/40 yard time. ... Nicknamed "Zo."
MELVIN PATTERSON
(6-3, 205) WR, Santa Fe High, Alachua, FL ... Cousin of ECU defensive
back Kasey Ross. ... Missed senior season due to injury but was a
two-way starter for three seasons at wide receiver and
safety/linebacker. ... All-State second team in 2004 after making 92
catches for 1,635 yards on offense and 134 tackles on defense. ... Had
55 catches for 825 in his freshman and sophomore seasons. ... A top 50
wide receiver in the state of Florida as rated by Rivals.com. ... Also
lettered in basketball and track while earning a 4.2 grade point
average. ... plans to major in business marketing at ECU with a minor in
advertising.
DOUG POLOCHAK (6-5,
268) OL, St. Augustine (FL) Nease High ... appears to have cleared
academic hurdles with a core grade point average of 3.3 and an ACT score
of 21. ... power cleans 300 pounds ... coached by Craig Howard ... team
won 2005 Florida 4-A state championship ... talent rich program includes
Florida quarterback commitment Timmy Tebow and Alabama bound
linebacker/tight end Charlie Kirschman ... had offers from Central
Florida, Navy, Toledo and Southern Miss ... also played on the defensive
line for the Panthers, but is projected on the offensive front for the
Pirates ... an All County selection by the St. Augustine Record.
KENNARD REEVES (6-0,
180) RB, Duluth, GA, High ... Personally considered Auburn, Vanderbilt,
South Carolina, Wofford, Furman and Central Florida in addition to the
Pirates. His decision came down to offers from Furman and East Carolina with
Pirates coach Skip Holtz appealing more to Reeves in the selection process.
... Only 17 years of age which, combined with ECU's returning experience at
running back, will likely mean a redshirt year as a true freshman in 2006.
... Had 875 yards rushing in 2005 and more than 1,000 all-purpose yards. ...
Runs a 4.5 second/40 yards. ... Likes the upside of the ECU program under
Holtz. [In late
January, Reeves retracted his commitment to East Carolina and announced he
will accept a scholarship offer from Vanderbilt.]
DARYL REYNOLDS, (6-1, 186) CB, New Bern
High ... played wide receiver and corner for the Bears, committing to the
Pirates the day before helping New Bern to a 28-7 win over Wakefield in the
4-AA East title game ... team was to face Charlotte Independence on Dec. 10
at N.C. State's Carter-Finley Stadium for the state title ... caught 34
passes for 667 yards an eight touchdowns going into the state championship
as a wide receiver but projected as a cornerback at ECU ... six
interceptions for the Bears through the East region final ... saw two
Pirates games during the 2005 season ... Reynolds is confident his height
will be an asset for ECU ... standout in track who finished third in the
state meet in the 300 hurdles and fifth in the 110 hurdles.
D.J. SCOTT, (6-6, 291) OL,
Green Cove Springs (FL) Clay High ... First known commitment for ECU's
2006 signing class. ... 320-pound bench press, 5.3-second/40 yards ...
Made recruiting visits to Clemson, South Carolina and West Virginia and
was encouraged to attend Florida's summer camp by Gators assistant. ...
Recruited by ECU defensive backs coach Rick Smith ... Prep coach with
3-A Blue Devils is Jim Reape ... Prep team was 12-2 in 2003 and 5-5 in
2004 and has won the district title the last two seasons ... Scott is
expected to also play some defensive tackle for Clay High in run
situations in 2005. ... Missed the last six games of the 2004 season
with a lacerated spleen sustained in a car accident. ... Began workouts
in January, 2005 at 261 pounds. ... Made 33 offseason workouts, eight
above program's guideline. ... Reape credits Scott's work ethic,
physical tools and athletic potential.
TRAVIS SIMMONS
(5-10, 175) DB, Florida A&M High, Tallahassee, FL ... Two-way all-state
performer for Coach Ira Reynolds. ... Has run a 4.4 second/40 yards. ...
Prep program has produced NFL players Sam Madison (Miami Dolphins), Earl
Holmes (Detroit Lions) and Taylor Jacobs (Washington Redskins). ...
Excelled on offense, defense and special teams with 724 yards and eight
TDs at wide receiver, 35 tackles, five interceptions, 10 pass breakups
and two forced fumbles in the secondary, and an 80-yard blocked kick
return on special teams. ... Superb average of 24.1 yards per catch. ...
Also lettered in track and basketball, where his 37-inch vertical leap
is an advantage. ... Interested in going into the sports management
field.
WILLIE SMITH (6-6, 225) DE, North
Johnston High, Kenly, NC ... Home visit from East Carolina head coach Skip
Holtz and Pirates defensive line coach Donnie Thompson proved decisive in
Smith's recruitment. ... Smith reveres Carolina Panthers defensive end
Julius Peppers and the fact that Thompson worked with Peppers when Thompson
was on the UNC staff was highly influential to Smith. ... A quick, explosive
player who helped North Johnston to one of its best seasons ever as a
senior. ... Smith likes the program's potential to improve under Holtz and
the opportunity to develop individually.
DeMORIO WAYMON
(6-3, 185) WR, Rickards High, Tallahassee, FL ... Cousin of former
Central Florida and St. Louis Rams player Travis Fisher. ... Receiving
totals for 4-year prep career were 105 catches, 1,846 yards and 17
touchdowns. ... A team captain for coach Maurice Belser as a senior. ...
Senior totals included 45 catches for 752 yards and 11 scores. ... Prep
Star magazine rated Waymon among the top wide receiver prospects in the
southeast. ... Academic plans call for a major in environmental science
and a minor in child development. ... Enjoys working with children.
NORMAN WHITLEY
(5-8, 180) RB, Richmond Senior High, Rockingham, NC ... Offensive MVP of
the Shrine Bowl with 132 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 28-24
North Carolina win. ... played for Raiders coach Ed Emory, an ECU hall
of famer and former Pirates football coach. ... had over 3,700 all
purpose yards in 2005 and 39 touchdowns, both school records at a
program that has produced six state titles. ... had 377 all purpose
yards against Millbrook that included a 91-yard kickoff return. ...
North Carolina and Virginia expressed interest in Whitley, who also
visited Marshall and received a scholarship offer from 2005 Division
I-AA national champion Appalachian State. ... rated a Top 30 prospect in
North Carolina in the preseason. ... has run a 4.47-second 40-yard dash.
DAN WIDEMAN (6-3, 215) QB,
Greenwood (SC) Emerald High ... committed to ECU after a campus visit in
mid-January ... played at Emerald for Coach Mac Bryan, who also coached
former South Carolina signal caller and ECU QBs coach Phil Petty ...
that relationship resulted in Bryan contacting Petty about Wideman as a
prospect ... Wideman has run a 10.7 second 100 meters. ... a contender
for state 200 meter title this spring ... Bryan converted to a spread
attack in Wideman's senior season and the future Pirate passed for 3,797
yards with 25 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. ... completed 261
of 450 passes in 2005 ... ran 181 times for 935 yards and 17 scores ...
Emerald was 11-3 with the school's first regional title and reached the
state semifinals.
FRED WILSON, (6-2, 255), LB, Georgia
Military ... Committed to ECU in November and signed with the Pirates in
December. ... Enters school in January and will be available for spring
practice. ... comes from junior college program that has been a pipeline for
the Pirates producing current ECU players Aundrae Allison (WR) and Demetrius
Hodges (CB) ... brother of Rod Wilson, who played at South Carolina
(2000-04), and was on Chicago Bears injured reserve at the time of Fred's
choice to join the ECU program ... ECU coaches Skip Holtz, Steve Shankweiler
and Phil Petty were familiar with Rod's talents as members of Gamecocks
staff ... programs interested in Fred included Kent State, Memphis, SMU,
Troy State and Western Kentucky but ECU was first with a scholarship offer
... from Cross, South Carolina and originally signed with South Carolina
State but didn't qualify academically ... played two seasons at Georgia
Military, helping the Bulldogs to a 9-2 record in 2005 with 40 tackles,
three sacks and one pass breakup ... 4.8 seconds/40 yards.
Copyright 2006 Bonesville.net. Compiled from
Bonesville.net staff reports and an
ECU Athletics release. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or
redistributed without specific written permission, and then only in
accordance with the terms and restrictions of that permission.
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