East Carolina Football Recruiting News: Class of 2006 Verbal Commitments

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.

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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.