East Carolina Football Recruiting News: Class of 2008 Verbal Commitments

This page last updated 02.06.08. Thumbnails are included for players that signed with East Carolina on Feb. 6, 2008, and for two players (denoted by strike-throughs) that had expressed verbal commitments to ECU but did not sign with the Pirates.

• Related Link: Complete roster: ECU Recruiting class of 2008
• Related Story from Al Myatt: Holtz procures 'glue' for the ranks

(BOLD BLUE text indicates links to extended articles or features by recruiting analyst Sammy Batten or other staff members.)

DAYON ARRINGTON (6-3, 200) WR, Hargrave Military Academy ... Hometown is Silver Spring, MD, but has been honing his skills on the prep level in Chatham, VA. ... Played high school ball at Paint Branch High in Burtonsville, MD. ... has the potential to give the Pirates a rangy receiver with courage and guile. ... not blessed with great speed or acceleration but runs good routes and gets separation with good cuts. ... not afraid to catch the ball over the middle and can take hits while maintaining possession. ... skills are such that he also can contribute on special teams. ... 31-inch vertical leap gives him ability to win jump balls with DB's. ... missed five games as a sophomore due to ailments. ... Arrington had 40 catches for 914 yards and three touchdowns as a senior at Paint Branch. He also had 11 rushes for 114 yards. ... The Hargrave program has produced four first round NFL draft choices as well as current Pirates Jamar Bryant, Marcus Hands, Khalif Mitchell and Brandon Setzer. [Posted 01.25.08]

C. J. BROWN (6-5, 295) OT, Wilmington New Hanover ... visited ECU the weekend of Jan. 12 and committed to a scholarship offer made about two weeks beforehand. ... was scheduled to make an official visit to Georgia Tech at the time he cast his lot with the Pirates. ... New Hanover teammate Nick Becton, a 6-6, 285-pound tackle, committed to Virginia Tech in December. ... Brown was impressed with ECU's family atmosphere and was relieved to make his recruiting decision. ... coached by Kevin Motsinger at New Hanover. ... becomes the fourth offensive lineman to commit to ECU. [Posted 01.14.08]

MARQUAN BROWN (5-8, 160) RB, Gray's Creek (NC) High ... Top rusher in Cumberland County last season with 1,510 yards. Also scored 17 touchdowns in earning All Cape Fear Valley 3-A Conference honors. His 20 receptions also netted another 631 yards for the Bears. Has rushed for more than 4,500 yards in three seasons. ... Coached by David Lovette at Gray's Creek. ... North Carolina and N.C. State also showed recruiting interest. ... Fayetteville native Junior Smith was the chief recruiter for Brown. Skip Holtz's burgeoning reputation was also an influential factor in Brown's spring commitment. ... Brown was the second player to commit to the Pirates for the February, 2008 signing class. [Posted 05.30.07] <Did not sign with East Carolina>

MIKE BROWN (6-4, 230) TE, Reidsville, NC ... Three-year starter for coach Jimmy Teague at Reidsville High School … Opened varsity career on the offensive line as a sophomore before move to the tight end position during junior and senior seasons … Helped lead Rams to a combined 29-2 record in 2006 and 2007, including a 16-0 state championship mark in the latter campaign … Earned all-conference honors … Topped squad and conference in both catches and touchdown receptions … Picked up a total of eight letters (three football, three basketball, two track) during prep career … Two-year starter in hoops and advanced to state track finals in discus and shot put. [Posted 02.06.08; from ECU Media Relations]

JOSHUA CLARK (6-5, 255) OL, North Gaston ... Coached by his dad, Bruce Clark, on the prep level. ... Joshua's older brother, Justin, played for his dad and went on to play quarterback at Western Carolina, wher he led the Catamounts in passing in 2004 and 2005. ... Offered a scholarship from ECU on Nov. 8. ... Navy and Vanderbilt also recruited Clark. ... Pirates offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler initially contacted Joshua Clark as a junior. ECU head coach Skip Holtz and tight ends coach Phil Petty also were involved in developing a recruiting relationship. ... father and younger son were impressed by the Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium atmosphere in ECU's 34-31 win over North Carolina on Sept. 8. ... North Gaston went into the third round of the state 3-A playoffs with a 10-2 record. ... Wildcats quarterback A.J. Blue has scholarship offers from Illinois and UNC. ... Joshua Clark has played on the North Gaston varsity since his sophomore year. ... Joshua Clark is still growing and could get as big as 6-6, 300, according to his dad's projections. ... recruited as a guard or center for the Pirates. [Posted 11.22.07]

ALLEN CROWDER (6-2, 260) DL, Mebane (Eastern Alamance) ... Selected as Mid-State Conference’s MVP as a senior … Played for Coach John Kirby … Credited with 102 tackles, eight sacks and four forced fumbles as a senior to play key role in squad’s 9-3 record … Named to all-conference, all-region and all-state squads in 2007 … Helped lead Eagles to 9-4 and 11-4 ledgers as sophomore and junior, earning all-conference and all-region honors both seasons … Has produced a 405-pound bench press and a 615-squat lift during program testing … Listed among North Carolina’s top 40 recruits by SuperPrep Magazine … Earned three-star rating by Rivals.com … Was selected to represent North Carolina and participated in the 2007 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star Game … Also recruited by South Carolina ... Full name is Allen Rex Crowder II … Born November 18, 1989, at Mebane, NC … Would like to major in exercise science. [Posted 02.06.08; from ECU Media Relations]

DALTON FAULDS 6-3, 285 (OL), Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (Nease) ... Rated as one of the top 25 offensive guard prospects nationally according to ESPN Insider … Topped all Nease linemen in pancake (4.1 per game average) and downfield blocks (7.3) as a senior … Part of Panther program that captured three consecutive state titles … Ranked by Scout.com among top five guards nationally in speed and agility tests (combine/40 time, shuttle and three-cone) … Listed as one of the country’s top 100 offensive lineman by Scout.com … Prep coach was Craig Howard … Played in same prep program as current ECU offensive lineman Doug Polochak and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow ... Full name is Christopher Dalton Faulds … Prefers to be called by middle name … Born June 18, 1990, at Cincinnati, OH … Son of John and Mary Faulds … Undecided on college major … Lists current Jacksonville Jaguars’ quarterback David Garrard as favorite all-time Pirate player … Hobbies include fishing and ping-pong. [Posted 02.06.08; from ECU Media Relations]

ANTHONY GARNER (6-1, 295) DL, Siler City (NC) Jordan-Matthews ... Sustained a broken leg in the fourth game of his 2007 prep season but Pirates defensive backs coach Rick Smith maintained contact with the player and ECU honored its scholarship offer. ... although rehab is expected to take five to six months, Garner is expected to make a full recovery. ... coached on the high school level by Marty Scotten. ... has always had good speed for his size and even played running back in middle school in short-yardage situations. ... became a varsity starter as a sophomore. ... earned All-Yadkin Valley 1-A Conference recognition as a junior when he had 90 tackles, 23 of which were for losses, as well as 15 sacks for an 11-2 team. ... had eight sacks and 11 tackles for loss in his senior season prior to the injury. ... also has played basketball and tennis for the Jets. ... the first lineman among ECU's first eight commitments for the February, 2008 signing class. [Posted 10.28.07]

GRANT HARNER (6-6, 300) OL, Jacksonville, FL (Bartram Trail) ... Played key role in leading Bartram Trail High School to back-to-back district championships as a junior and senior … Helped the Bears to regional title in 2007 … Earned two football letters under Coach Darrell Sutherland … Also picked up two letters as a standout golfer ... Full name is Grant Gregory Harner … Born August 1, 1990, at Jacksonville, FL … Son of Greg and Margie Harner … Plans to major in business with a minor in sports management or sports medicine … Lists current Jacksonville Jaguars’ quarterback David Garrard as all-time favorite Pirate player … Hobbies of choice are golf and fishing … Always exceeded Pop Warner League size limitations as a child, thus was not allowed to play at the developmental level. [Posted 02.06.08; from ECU Media Relations]

T. J. HARPER (6-2, 315) OL, Pearl River (MS) Community College ... Due to enroll at ECU in January and participate in spring drills. ... Coached by Tim Hatten at Pearl River. ... Hatten expresses a high regard for Harper's character and work ethic. ... Harper visited ECU on Dec. 7 and signed a national letter on Dec. 19, the first signing day for junior college transfers. ... Harper has directed two short films, one a documentary on the dangers of steroid use. ... film career opportunities were influential in his choice of ECU, whose alumni include screenwriter Kevin Williamson and actresses Emily Proctor and Sandra Bullock. ... All-State at Meridian (MS) High School and a two-year starter at guard at Pearl River, where he earned All Region 23 honors ... Received his only college offer from Division II West Alabama out of high school. ... bench presses an incredible 480 pounds and squats 600. ... worked part time at Pizza Hut in junior college and paid for a car. [Posted 01.10.08]

JACOBI JENKINS (6-1, 170) Ath, Rocky Mount (NC) Senior High ... Has played defensive back, wide receiver, wingback and returned kicks for the Gryphons. ... Earned all-state honors as a sophomore with nine interceptions. ... Rocky Mount coach B.W. Holt said Jenkins covers the opposition's best receiver defensively. ... second in the state 110-meter hurdles as a junior and third in the 300. ... Holt said Jenkins has a 4.3-second time for 40 yards. ... Twice all-state, Jenkins has 14 career interceptions. ... He made 46 tackles as a junior on defense and had 10 catches on offense for 176 yards and a touchdown. ... North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest had shown interest but ECU made the first offer. ... Jenkins became the sixth player to commit to the Pirates for the February, 2008 signing class and is the fourth from Eastern North Carolina. [Posted 09.24.07]

ADRIAN JONES (5-10, 180) WR, Scotland County ... The opportunity to play receiver at ECU was a deciding factor in his college choice. ... Clemson, N.C. State and North Carolina all offered Jones a scholarship to play cornerback. ... Recruited by ECU running backs coach Junior Smith, becoming the tenth known commitment to the Pirates for the February, 2008 signing class. ... A fracture in his right foot sustained on Oct. 19 against Richmond County put him out for the remainder of the season. ... Dad Steve Williams was a running back at Scotland County in the 1980s. ... The versatile Jones played quarterback last season as a junior, passing for 1,050 yards and six touchdowns, while rushing for another 783 yards and five more scores. ... has exceptional speed -- 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash and is the defending Mid-Southeastern 4-A Conference champion in the 100- and 200-meter dashes. Jones’ best times in those events are 10.59 in the 100 and 21.2 in the 200. ... Foot injury may keep him out of track this spring. ... coached by Mark Barnes. ... played running back, wide receiver and returned punts and kicks for the Scots this season with 537 all-purpose yards in nine games. [Posted 11.29.07]

ROBERT JONES (6-3, 260) DL, Tucker, GA ... Enjoyed stellar prep career, contributing to a Tucker High School program that rolled to a combined four-year record of 42-6 and picked up three region titles … Coach Franklin Stephens’ squad was chosen as DeKalb County 2007 Team of the Year … Earned three football letters … Played key role in Tigers’ 13-1 campaign as a senior team captain, picking up all-county honors … Selected to play on the DeKalb County All-Star Team ... Full name is Robert Roosevelt Jones … Born April 19, 1990 at Lafayette, IN … Son of Robert and Jana Jones … Indicates an interest to major in computer science (business minor) … Active in scouting for the past nine years, earning a rank of Life after meeting requirements for an Arrow of Light Badge at 15 … Father was a defensive end at Purdue during the Boillermakers’ Peach Bowl (1978) and Bluebonnet Bowl wins (1979) … Hobbies include chess and video games. [Posted 02.06.08; from ECU Media Relations]

JOSH JORDAN (6-4 1/2, 200) QB, St. Amant, LA ... originally committed to Iowa State but wasn't comfortable with that decision and changed plans after an official visit to ECU. ... served as a ball boy at Southwestern Louisiana where his dad, Jeff, was on the coaching staff and got instruction from Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme, who was playing at the program now known as Louisiana-Lafayette at the time. ... completed 142 of 254 passes for 1,809 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2007 as a senior at 5-A St. Amant, including a 392-yard, seven-touchdown performance against St. Charles. ... his junior numbers included 102 completions in 209 attempts, 1,350 passing yards and 11 TDs. ... Jordan also rushed for 333 yards on 84 keepers in 2006. ... caught Iowa State's attention at a Nike combine at TCU and verbally accepted a grant from the Cyclones in July. ... Coincidentally, former ECU quarterback James Pinkney was headed to Iowa State before making a late switch to the Pirates. ... Virginia and Connecticut were getting involved in Jordan's recruitment when he made his decision for the Pirates. ... Jordan received offers from Louisiana-Monroe and Southeastern Louisiana. ... Family may move to the Greenville area when Jordan enrolls at ECU. ... St. Almant offensive coordinator David Oliver was on Tulane's staff with ECU defensive backs coach Rick Smith, the connection that led to the Pirates' interest in Jordan. [Posted 01.24.08]

MAX JOYNER (6-2, 180) S, Greenville (NC) Rose High ... had seven interceptions for a 16-0 Rampants team that won another state 4-A championship in 2006 ... was sufficiently impressive in an East Carolina camp setting to receive a scholarship offer, which he accepted in latter June. ... also played some linebacker for Rose in addition to assignments in the secondary. ... projected as a safety for East Carolina. ... reportedly runs 40 yards in 4.5 seconds. ... the fourth commitment to the Pirates for the February, 2008 signing class. [Posted 07.05.07]

LOGAN KUDLINSKI (6-5, 265) OL, Orange Park, FL ... Two-year starter and three-year letterman for Coach Ted Leasor’s Raiders at Orange Park High School … Opened play on the defensive line as a junior before moving to offense in 2007 … Earned all-conference honors on both sides of the ball and was named to the All-Clay County squad as a senior … Selected to play in the Jacksonville Shrine Bowl All-Star Game … Also lettered in track, competing in the shot put and discus events … Captured conference title in the discus … Did not play organized football until reaching the school system ... Full name is Logan M. Kudlinski … Born July 25, 1990, at Jacksonville, FL … Son of Alan and Ann Stuckey … Plans to major in general business … Hobbies are swimming and metal music. [Posted 02.06.08; from ECU Media Relations]

RAHKEEM MORGAN (6-2, 170) CB/QB, Asheville High ... Committed to East Carolina on Jan. 24 following a scholarship offer from the Pirates. ... Chose ECU over Buffalo, Elon, Lenoir-Rhyne, Marshall and North Carolina A&T. ... impressed by the atmosphere in Geenville and the tight knit nature of the team during his official visit in January. ... Threw for a school record 3,084 career yards, including 1,810 yards and 22 touchdowns with six interceptions as a senior. Also ran for 1,173 yards and 12 scores. ... Despite those numbers, projects as a defensive player at ECU. ... Coached by Danny Wilkins at Asheville. [Posted 02.02.08]

LEONARD PAULK (5-11, 180) DB, Columbia (SC) Richland Northeast High ... ECU recruited Paulk's older brother Rodney in 2005 but he opted to join the program at nearby South Carolina. ... Leonard is a 2-year starter for Coach Jay Frye, who compares him favorably with his brother. ... A cousin of the brothers, Tim Paulk, was an All-SEC linebacker at Florida and was a seventh-round draft choice of the Atlanta Falcons in 1991. ... Rodney was a second team freshman All American (Sporting News) last year. ... Leonard made 75 tackles, had five pass break-ups and five fumble recoveries last season. ... Through the first six games of 2007, Paulk had made 54 tackles and returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. ... ECU has recruited Frye as a corner, according to Coach Frye. He is the fifth defensive back to make a commitment to ECU for the February, 2008 signing class. [Posted 10.14.07]

DARIUS SPENCER (5-10, 178) RB, Asheville (NC) A.C. Reynolds High ... notified East Carolina coaches on Tuesday, June 5 of his intentions to accept the offer of a football scholarship. ... Recruiting analyst Sammy Batten noted that Spencer also had offers from Marshall, N.C. State and North Carolina. ... Turned in oustanding times of 4.32 and 4.33 seconds for 40 yards at a Shrine Bowl combine in Asheville in April. ... Although he split time at tailback, Spencer ran for over 1,100 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior last season. ... Coached by Shane Laws at Reynolds. ... Started at cornerback as a sophomore. ... Incoming ECU freshman tight end Will Towery, who played at Reynolds and is a good friend of Spencer's, was influential in Spencer selecting the Pirates, according to Laws. [Posted 06.06.07] <Did not sign with East Carolina>

JUSTIN VENABLE (6-2 1/2, 190) S, Southeast Guilford (NC) High ... intercepted a school record nine passes and had 84 tackles for a Falcons team that went 10-4 and reached the third round of the 3-AA playoffs in 2006. ... made the All Mid-Piedmont 3-A Conference team and the Greensboro News & Record's All-Guilford County team ... made a verbal commitment to the Pirates on July 10 after receiving a scholarship offer from Ohio and interest from N.C. State, Wake Forest and Virginia. ... attended ECU's spring football game in April and summer football camp in mid-June. ... did 40 yards in 4.38 seconds in a Shrine Bowl combine at Greene Central in April. ... coached by Fritz Hessenthaler at Southeast Guilford. ... Venable played linebacker as a sophomore. ... Also plays wide receiver on offense and returns kicks. ... played shortstop and left field for Southeast Guilford, hitting around .350 for a club that reached the state 3-A championship series last year. ... plans to concentrate on football initially at ECU. ... fifth known commitment to ECU's February, 2008 signing class, all of which are from in-state players. [Posted 07.24.07] [View 12.13.07 Shrine Bowl feature on Venable.]

JOSEPH WOMACK (6-2, 185) QB, Jacksonville (NC) Northside High ... First player to commit to ECU's February, 2008 signing class. ... Three-year starter at quarterback and a three-sport performer for the Monarchs. ... Coached by Bob Eason at Northside. ... Committed to ECU shortly after Purple-Gold game on April 14. ... Other programs expressing interest were Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State. ... completed 55 of 124 passes for 934 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior in helping Northside to an 11-4 record. Womack added 478 yards rushing on 126 carries for 10 TDs. ... could also play wide receiver or defensive back for the Pirates. [Posted 05.30.07; edited 10.13.07]. [View 12.13.07 Shrine Bowl feature on Womack.]