East Carolina Football Recruiting News | Recruiting Class of 2013

This page last updated: 04.25.13

Most recent update: Added Juco RB Breon Allen listing and profile link

Total known commitments to date: 26* (*Total includes 2012 signee Lucas Thompson)

Thumbnails are included for players who signed letters of intent as well as for players who made non-binding verbal commitments during the recruiting process but did not sign letters of intent. ~~Strike-throughs~~ denote those who did not sign letters of intent.

Thumbnails compiled by Al Myatt.
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Text in BOLD BLUE CAPS denotes link to full-length feature profile by recruiting analyst Sammy Batten.

BREON ALLEN (5-8, 180) RB, Snow College in Emphraim, UT ... Late signee ... Inked scholarship on visit to ECU campus in March 2013 ... Nation's leading juco rusher last season ... Full thumbnail sketch pending. [Listed 04.25.13]

RANDALL ANDERSON (6-4, 250) DE, Fork Union (VA) Military Academy ... Anderson enrolled at East Carolina in January. ... He was a two-way end for the William Penn Colonials in New Castle, DE, on the high school level before playing at Fork Union in 2012. ... His high school team was 6-5 his senior year, was ranked No. 11 in the state by Maxpreps and Anderson was named all-state. ... Played in the post graduate program at Fork Union, which was coached by John Shurman. ... High School team was coached by Bill Cole. ... Anderson also received an offer from Temple. ... Other programs showing interest included Maryland and N.C. State. ... Projects as a defensive end for the Pirates. ... Ran 40 yards in 5.05 seconds in high school. ... Has added 30 pounds to his frame since high school. ... Committed to ECU on Dec. 18 and enrolled on Jan. 4. [Listed 02.03.13]

MALCOLM ASHLEY (6-4,260) DL, Havelock High School ... Ashley committed to East Carolina on April 18 after receiving recruiting interest from Alabama, Appalachian State, North Carolina, N.C. State, South Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech. ... Helped the Rams, coached by Jim Bob Bryant, to a 16-0 record in 2011 and the state 3-A championship. ... Havelock averaged over 50 points per game in Ashley's junior season while allowing less than 14. ... Projects as a defensive end in ECU's 3-4 alignment. ... Ashley had 56 tackles during his junior season with five sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. ... Has a 40-yard time of 4.89 seconds. ... Max in the bench press is 290 pounds. ... Has done 15 repetitions of 185 pounds in the bench. ... One report said Ashley intends to major in Art. ... Comes from the same program that produced current Pirates receiver Danny Webster. ... Has played on the offensive and defensive lines for Havelock. ... Played six snaps on the offensive side of the ball in the state championship game. ... Has done 42 feet in the shot put and 135 feet in the discus. [Listed 04.23.12]

DEMAGE BAILEY (6-3, 240) DE, Clayton (NC) High School ... Bailey was a standout on Coach Gary Fowler's last Comets team, which went 9-4. ... He also played tight end but is projected as a defensive end for the Pirates. ... Bailey visited East Carolina the first weekend in February. ... His recruiting was handled by Pirates assistant coach and former player Kirk Doll. ... Bailey committed to ECU on Sunday, Feb. 3. ... Bailey played in a 3-4 alignment for the Comets, who were 6-1 in the Greater Neuse 4-A Conference. [Listed 02.05.13]

KURT BENKERT (6-3, 205) QB, Cape Coral (FL) High School/Island Coast High School, Cape Coral, FL ... Benkert committed to ECU on July 1 after receiving offers from Marshall, South Alabama, South Florida, Central Florida and Western Kentucky. ... Programs showing interest included Duke, Minnesota, N.C. State, Purdue, Tennessee and Wisconsin. ... Rated a three-star prospect by Scout.com. ... Team was 7-5 in 2011 and 5-0 in league play under coach Brad Metheny as Benkert completed 189 of 367 passes for 2,771 yards with 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions. ... Benkert, a pro style quarterback, also ran 55 times for 150 yards and three touchdowns. ... Benkert visited ECU in late June. ... He was recruited by Pirates offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley. ... Benkert has transferred from Cape Coral to Island Coast High School for his senior season and the Gators, coached by Joe Bowen, have converted from a veer offense to a pro style attack. ... Island Coast plays at Cape Coral on Nov. 9. ... Benkert has a 4.28 grade point average. [Listed 07.02.12]

DASHAWN BENTON (6-0, 170) S, Grady High School, Atlanta, Ga. ... Benton committed to ECU on Feb. 3 after receiving offers from Ball State, Cincinnati, Georgia Southern, Howard, Illinois, Indiana, Memphis, Middle Tennessee and Mississippi State. ... Central Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Vanderbilt had shown interest. ... Benton had reportedly committed to the Bearcats on Jan. 30 but may have been influenced by high school teammate Darren Dowdell's decision to enroll at ECU. ... Benton visited ECU on the weekend of Feb. 1. ... Runs a 4.58 second 40 yards and has a 240-pound bench press to his credit. ... Benton has squatted 350 pounds and has a 33-inch vertical jump. ... Knights went 9-4 in 2012. ... Benton also played receiver on offense at Grady. [Listed 02.05.13]

TREVON BROWN (6-3, 205) WR, New Hanover ... Had 66 catches for 1,035 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior. ... Brown's senior numbers included 69 catches for 1,182 yards and 19 scores. ... Also threw one pass as a senior for a 35-yard TD. ... Brown is his high school's all-time leader in receiving yards with 2,601 yards. ... Wildcats are coached by Kevin Motsinger. ... Team was 11-2 in 2012, losing to eventual 4-A champion New Bern 49-35 in the third round of the playoffs. ... Schools showing interest in Brown included Clemson, Illinois, North Carolina, N.C. State, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Virginia Tech. ... Also a standout in basketball at New Hanover. ... Committed to ECU on Jan. 10. ... Runs 40 yards in 4.4 seconds. [Listed 01.24.13]

DEVARIS BRUNSON (6-1, 202) OLB, Lake City (SC) High School ... Rated a four-star prospect by Scout.com, which also rates him the 18th best linebacker in the class of 2013 nationally. ... Brunson is rated the 18th best prospect in South Carolina by the rivals.com recruiting website. ... Had an offer from N.C. State and was receiving recruiting interest from Ohio State, Clemson and South Carolina. ... Brunson made three unofficial visits each to Clemson and South Carolina. ... He received a visit from Ohio State on May 11. ... Has run 40 yards in 4.47 seconds. ... Committed to the Pirates on June 26. ... The Lake City Panthers, coached by Jim Rowell, were 6-6 in 2011. ... Brunson was credited with 172 tackles as a junior, including 18 for losses and 10 sacks. [Listed 07.01.12; added link to feature profile by Sammy Batten 09.20.12]

A.J. COPLON (5-9, 170) CB, Havelock ... Coplon committed to East Carolina on Nov. 15. ... A two-way performer for the defending NCHSAA 3-A champions, Coplon is projected as a defensive back at ECU. ... Havelock is the program that produced current Pirates receiver Danny Webster. ... The Rams are coached by Jim Bob Bryant. ... Coplon had 11 catches for 276 yards and three touchdowns going into Havelock's third round playoff game with Washington. ... Defensively, he had 24 solo tackles and eight assists to that point in his senior season. ... Coplon also had six interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. ... Vertical jump is listed at 36 inches. [Listed 11.15.12]

TRESHAWN COUNCIL (6-1, 230) LB, Louisburg College ... Council initially committed to ECU as a member of the February, 2011 recruiting class. ... Helped Durham Hillside to a 16-0 record and the NCHSAA 4-A championship in 2010. ... Hornets head coach Antonio King brought a highlight film of Council to a "Junior Day" at ECU, the Pirate staff viewed it and offered a grant even though Council was not on hand. ... Council accepted four days later, making him the first commitment for the February, 2011 signing class. ... Wore No. 8 at Hillside, which was previously worn by North Carolina receiver Greg Little. ... Moved up to varsity as a linebacker during his freshman season at Hillside. ... Council grew up as an East Carolina fan. ... Had 11.5 sacks as a junior and made All-PAC 6 Conference. ... Received recruiting interest from Duke and Georgia Tech. ... Recruited by ECU defensive coordinator Brian Mitchell. ... Timed in 4.78 seconds for 40 yards and has a 25-inch vertical jump. ... Has added about 20 pounds since finishing high school. ... Made his second commitment to ECU on July 18. [Listed 08.01.12] [Was not included on East Carolina's official list of signees as announced on Signing Day, Feb. 6, 2013]

KIRK DONALDSON (6-3, 250) DE, Charlotte Vance ... Runs 40 yards in 4.8 seconds and expects to move to outside linebacker in ECU's 3-4 defensive alignment. ... Will play both defensive end and outside linebacker for the Cougars in 2012. ... Had 18 tackles and four sacks for a 5-7 team in 2011 that went 4-3 in league play. ... Vance is coached by Keith Wilkes. ... Had offers from Appalachian State and Gardner-Webb. ... Also showing interest in Donaldson were Clemson, North Carolina, N.C. State and Tennessee. ... Donaldson visited Clemson, NCSU and Wake Forest. ... Bench presses 375 pounds and squats 500. ... Shrine Bowl candidate. ... Wilkes likes his upside with improvements in strength and technique. ... Donaldson made his commitment to East Carolina on July 12. [Listed 08.01.12]

DARREN DOWDELL (6-4, 225) TE, Grady High School, Atlanta, Ga. ... Dowdell is rated a three-star recruit by Scout.com. ... Initially committed to Kentucky. ... Has a 40-yard time of 4.96 seconds. ... Dowdell also had offers from Ball State, Florida International, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Louisville, Middle Tennessee, N.C. State, South Alabama and Wake Forest. ... Dowdell has shown a balance of blocking and receiving skills which should serve well in ECU's offense. ... The Pirates also got Dowdell's high school teammate, safety Dashawn Benton, to change his commitment from Cincinnati to ECU. [Listed 02.05.13]

DAVON GRAYSON (6-2, 190) WR, King's Fork, Suffolk, VA ... Missed most of the 2011 season with a hand injury but has been impressive in spring and summer workouts with 4.45 second speed for 40 yards. ... Received offers from Charlotte, Furman, James Madison, Old Dominion, Richmond and VMI. ... Also received recruiting attention from Cincinnati, Marshall, N.C. State, Penn State, Pitt, Toledo and Virginia Tech. ... Grayson has played corner on defense but projects as a wide receiver for the Pirates. ... The Bulldogs were 2-8 last season. ... King's Fork is coached by Cecil Phillips. ... Grayson also performs in track and field. ... He's cleared 6 feet, 3 inches in the high jump and done 21-4 in the long jump. ... Grayson has run on relay teams that have turned in a 45.06 in the 4 x 100 and 3:24.96 in the 4 x 400. ... Committed to the Pirates on Sunday, Aug. 5. [Listed 08.07.12]

PATRICK GREEN (6-2, 195) LB, North Forsyth High School, Winston-Salem ... Green had 29 tackles and 21 assists as the Vikings went 3-7 in 2011. ... North Forsyth is coached by Pete Gilchrist. ... Green had 12 tackles and three assists in a 29-13 win over Pfafftown Reagan on Aug. 26 of his junior season. ... He had six catches for 53 yards in a 20-17 win over Asheboro on Oct. 7. ... Green also had a 25-yard kickoff return in the 2011 season opener against Winston-Salem Carver. ... Green averaged 4.9 points and 4.4 rebounds for a 24-5 basketball team in 2011-12. ... Green lists his favorite teams as the Dallas Cowboys, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Atlanta Braves. ... He would like to become a sports broadcaster. ... Committed to East Carolina on June 8. ... North Forsyth opened the 2012 season by holding off Winston-Salem Carver for a 42-40 win. [Listed 07.02.12; corrected 08.21.12]

DONTRILL HYMAN (6-4, 265) DE, Hinds (MS) Community College ... Hyman initially signed with ECU in February, 2011 but played last season at Hinds Community College in Mississippi, the same program that produced current Pirate defensive backs Chip Godfrey and Adonis Armstrong. ... Gene Murphy is Hinds head coach. ... Hyman made 52 solo tackles last season with 10 assists. He had 21 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and forced two fumbles. ... He was a second team National Junior College Athletic Association All American last season. ... Played both ways as a senior on the high school level at James Kenan in Warsaw, NC, contributing on offense as a running back … Selected to the NCPreps.com 1-A All-State Team and Wilmington Star News All-Area squad as a senior … Tallied 151 total tackles (11.6 tackles per game), including 105 solo stops, during final campaign … Helped Tigers to a 7-6 record and second round of North Carolina High School Athletic Association 1-AA playoffs … Scored a rushing touchdown and led the Tigers with seven tackles in one-point opening-round playoff victory over Union … Tied for team lead with seven stops in a 28-25 win against Clinton during the first week of the season … Scored a touchdown on a 65-yard fake punt during a 48-20 triumph over Hobbton … Played for head coach Ken Avent, Jr. … Also lettered in basketball at JKHS … Is the Tigers’ first Division I signee since Sam Aiken inked with North Carolina in 1998 and went on to play in the NFL. ... Has indicated that he is strong on his commitment to play for the Pirates in 2013. [Listed 09.21.12] [Was not included on East Carolina's official list of signees as announced on Signing Day, Feb. 6, 2013]

ISAIAH JONES (6-1, 170) WR, Austin (TX) High ... A Pirate football legacy announced his commitment to East Carolina on Sunday, Aug. 5, via Twitter. ... Jones is the son of Robert Jones, an ECU hall of famer who starred at linebacker on the 11-1 Pirates team in 1991 and went on to play on three Super Bowl champion teams with the Dallas Cowboys. ... Isaiah’s uncle, Jeff Blake, was quarterback on the 1991 team and had an extended career in the NFL. ... Isaiah's cousin, Torre Blake, will play for the ECU volleyball team this fall. ... His older brother, Cayleb Jones, is a freshman wide receiver at Texas. ... He has a cousin, Emory Blake, who is a senior wide receiver at Auburn. ... Jones caught 41 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns last season as the Maroons went 2-9 overall and 2-3 in league play. ... Jones also played some at quarterback. ... He had 42 rushes for 55 yards and one score. ... He completed 27 of 53 pass attempts for 280 yards with four TDs and four interceptions. ... The Austin program has undergone a coaching change with Mike Rosenthal taking over the leadership. ... The Maroons compete on the 5-A level. ... Jones has played safety on defense. ... Jones made the All-Central Texas preseason team for 2012, recently announced by the Austin American-Statesman. [Listed 08.07.12]

JAMEL JONES (6-4, 190) WR, Rock Hill (SC) High School ... Jones also received recruiting interest from Clemson, Coastal Carolina, N.C. State, South Carolina, South Carolina State and Tennessee. ... 40-yard time reportedly is 4.51 seconds. ... Rock Hill Bearcats struggled to a 3-8 record in 2012 under coach Joe Montgomery. [Listed 02.05.13] [Was not included on East Carolina's official list of signees as announced on Signing Day, Feb. 6, 2013]

TERRELL LANE (5-11, 226) RB, Hutchinson (KS) Community College ... Lane tweeted his commitment to the Pirates on Thursday after a productive sophomore season for the 9-3 Blue Dragons of coach Rion Rhoades. ... Lane, who played at Norton Community High School in Norton, KS, ran 255 times for 1,629 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2012. ... He also had 24 receptions for 176 yards and three scores. ... Those efforts led to an offer from Arizona State as well as interest from Kansas State, Memphis and Minnesota. ... Lane had 73 carries for 461 yards and eight TDs in 2011 at Hutchinson. ... He completed his junior college career with 18 rushes for 96 yards in a 41-21 Salt City Bowl win over Iowa Central on Dec. 1. ... Lane visited ECU on the weekend of Jan. 26. [Listed 02.03.13]

~~JABO LEE~~ (5-9, 175) RB, Dillon, SC ... Lee started most of the season as a freshman on a team that won the South Carolina 2-A state championship and successfully defended its title the following year. ... Lee has 4.4-second speed for 40 yards. ... Was first recruited to ECU by Skip Holtz's staff. ... Made a verbal commitment to the Pirates in late March. ... Lee had offers from Bowling Green, Miami of Ohio, Minnesota, Tennessee and Virginia Tech. ... Dillon's head coach is Jackie Hayes. ... Robbie Brown is the offensive coordinator. ... The potential to have an immediate impact at ECU was a deciding factor in Lee's commitment. ... Lee ran for 1,642 yards as a junior with 27 touchdowns as his team narrowly missed a third straight state title with an 18-15 loss to Timberland on a 41-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining. ... Dillon runs a system similar to ECU's. ... Lee has shown big play capability as a receiver out of the backfield. [Listed 05.08.02] [Was not included on East Carolina's official list of signees as announced on Signing Day, Feb. 6, 2013]

CHRISTIAN MATAU (6-3, 314) OL, New Bern ... Toured campus with offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley on June 21 and committed to the Pirates shortly thereafter. ... Also received offers from The Citadel and Wofford. ... Matau attended camps at N.C. State and Duke ... The Bears were 12-2 under coach Bobby Curlings in 2011, including 5-0 in league play. ... New Bern reached the Eastern 4-A final in the state playoffs before losing 61-28 to eventual state champion Scotland County, which was coached by former Bears mentor and ECU letterman Chip Williams. ... A New Bern Sun-Journal report said Matau would shift from left tackle to center at ECU. ... New Bern averaged more than 40 points per game last season and over 400 yards of offense per game. ... Matau wants to major in physical therapy. ... He bench presses a max of 345 pounds, squats 415, runs 40 yards in 5.25 seconds and vertical jumps over 20 inches. [Listed 07.01.02]

DEMETRI MCGILL (6-2, 290) DT, Ocean Lakes High School, Virginia Beach, Va. ... Charlotte, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Hampton, James Madison, Marshall, Ohio and Old Dominion made offers to McGill. ... Also showing interest were Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech. ... McGill had 120 tackles his senior season with 12 sacks and 25 tackles for loss. ... He had reportedly committed to Maryland in November. ... Cast his lot with the Pirates on Feb. 4. ... Helped the Dolphins, coached by Chris Scott, to a 14-1 record in 2012. [Listed 02.05.13]

MYKAL MOODY (5-11, 180) QB, Conway (SC) High School ... Moody also received offers from Kentucky, N.C. State and Mississippi. ... He is regarded as an athlete which might allow him to change positions on the next level. ... Has run 40 yards in 4.39 seconds. ... Could play receiver or defensive back or possibly as a wildcat type of quarterback. ... Worked to develop an understanding of presnap reads at Conway. ... The Tigers were 5-7 under coach Chuck Jordan in 2012. [Listed 02.05.13] [Was not included on East Carolina's official list of signees as announced on Signing Day, Feb. 6, 2013]

~~JAMIEON MOSS~~ (6-3, 217) LB, Elizabeth City Northeastern ... Became the first commitment to East Carolina's 2013 recruiting class in late February of 2012 after a campus visit on Feb. 24. ... Moss has run 40 yards in 4.61 seconds. ... Made 107 tackles with eight for loss and three sacks last season. ... Coached by Antonio Moore. ... Moss earned All-Northeastern 2-A/3-A Conference honors last season as the Eagles went 10-3. ... As a sophomore, he helped the 2010 Northeastern team reach the 2-AA state championship game during a 13-3 campaign. ... Moore said Moss has been diligent in the weight room in developing himself physically. ... Has played as an outside linebacker in Northeastern's 4-4 alignment. ... Moss is originally from Louisiana. ... Other programs which showed recruiting interest included North Carolina, N.C. State, Old Dominion, Virginia, Virginia Tech and William & Mary. ... The Pirates are also recruiting Moss' teammate, wide receiver Marquise Whidbee, a 6-1, 180-pounder who caught 40 passes for 776 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior [Listed 03.07.12] ... ESPN.com, citing multiple sources, reported on June 16, 2012, that Moss had decommitted from East Carolina and pledged to sign with Virginia Tech.

TRISTAN MUMFORD (6-2, 235) LB, Statesville High School ... Made a verbal commitment to East Carolina while visiting for the spring football game. ... Recruited as an inside linebacker for the Pirates although he can play other positions including quarterback where he wound up for the last half of his junior season. ... Gained 1,164 yards as a running back during his sophomore year. ... Completed 108 of 199 passes for 1,427 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2011. ... Also rushed 172 times for 750 yards and 10 scores while leading the Greyhounds to a 6-2 record over their last eight games. ... Statesville coach Randall Gusler said Mumford can play several defensive positions as well as long snap and punt. ... Statesville teammate, quarterback Carlis Parker, is also an ECU recruiting target. ... Mumford had offers from Duke, North Carolina, N.C. State and Wake Forest . ... Scout.com rates Mumford No. 31 nationally among middle linebackers [Listed 04.17.12]

MIKE MYERS (6-1, 275) DT, Goose Creek, SC ... ECU recruiting contact was special teams coordinator and running backs coach Kirk Doll. ... Myers committed to ECU after receiving offers from Marshall and Middle Tennessee State. ... He attended camps at North Carolina and Tennessee in June. ... Myers runs 40 yards in 4.8 seconds. ... Myers is planning a visit to ECU for the Texas-El Paso game on Sept. 29. ... Goose Creek started the 2012 season 4-0 under coach Chuck Reedy. ... Myers had 18 tackles (8 solo, 10 assists) in those four games. ... Myers liked the energy of the ECU coaches in the recruiting process. ... He also liked the Pirates' fast and physical playing style. [Listed 09.21.12]

TRAVIS PHILLIPS (5-11, 175) DB, Montpelier (VA) Patrick Henry High School ... Plans to become a two-sport student-athlete at ECU with participation on Curt Kraft's track squad (in addition to football). High School: Recorded 34 receptions for 858 yards and 10 touchdowns as one of Patrick Henry High School's top pass catchers while also starting in the Patriots secondary on defense in 2012 ... His 25.2 yards-per-catch average ranked second in the Central Region ... Named First-Team All-Central Region (WR) by VirginiaPreps.com and the Richmond Times Dispatch as a senior ... Also earned second-team All-Metro honors as a wide receiver and was a First-Team All-Colonial District by the Richmond Times Dispatch as a defensive back and wide receiver ... Scored at least one offensive touchdown in six of 10 games and posted 100-yard receiving games on five occasions ... Caught a season-long 75-yard touchdown pass against Ashland (Sept. 15) and followed that with a 65-yarder on the way to a six-catch, 142-yard performance against Lee-Davis (Sept. 22) ... Against John Marshall (Sept. 28), caught four passes for 132 yards and three scores (9, 55, 61) ... Hauled in a 55-yard TD pass against Douglas Freeman to cap the night with 138 receiving yards (Oct. 5) ... Posted his second three-score game of the season against Deep Run (Oct. 12) and finished the contest with 138 yards ... Returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown against Thomas Jefferson (Oct. 22) and scored on a 32-yard pass play in the second quarter against Mills Godwin (Nov. 2) ... Also a decorated track & field athlete who turned in personal-best times to place second at the state finals in the 110-meter hurdles (14.03) and fifth in the 300-meter hurdles (39.05) during junior campaign ... Also set a career-best mark in the 60-meter hurdles (8.12). [Listed 02.06.13; thumbnail courtesy ECU Media Relations]

TRAVON SIMMONS (5-11, 170) CB, Hillgrove High School, Powder Springs, GA ... Committed to the Pirates on Aug. 12 after receiving offers from Ball State, Elon, Furman, Middle Tennessee State, Tennessee State and Utah State. ... Coach Ruffin McNeill's personal approach in the recruiting process was a deciding factor. ... Simmons attended camps at ECU, Auburn, Middle Tennessee and South Carolina. ... Has been timed in 4.69 seconds for 40 yards and has a 32-inch vertical jump. ... Describes himself as a lockdown corner who flies to the ball and loves to compete. [Listed 09.21.12]

BRANDON SMITH (6-7, 310) OL, Kernersville (NC) East Forsyth ... Programs showing interest included Clemson, Connecticut, North Carolina, N.C. State, Vanderbilt, Virginia and Wake Forest but Smith decided to streamline his recruiting process and accept a late February offer from the Pirates. ... Smith was an All-Piedmont Triad 4-A Conference selection from a team that went 9-3 under coach Todd Willert in 2011. ... ECU defensive coordinator Brian Mitchell, who recruits the Winston-Salem area, initiated contact with Smith and Pirates offensive line coach Brandon Jones got involved. ... ECU made an early offer after seeing Smith on tape. ... Smith has played guard at East Forsyth but projects as a tackle on the college level. ... Rated the No. 36 recruit in North Carolina. ... Made his commitment to the Pirates on May 7. [Listed 05.09.02]

XAVIER SMITH (6-1, 180) DB, Wakefield High, Raleigh ... Smith committed to ECU on June 29 after receiving an offer from Western Carolina as well as interest from Duke, Kentucky, Oregon and South Carolina. ... Pirates defensive coordinator Brian Mitchell handled Smith's recruitment. ... Smith played at Wake Forest-Rolesville last season where he had 45 tackles, seven pass breakups and one blocked kick. ... His play helped the Cougars to an 11-3 record during his junior season. ... Smith has transferred to Wakefield, coached by Rod Sink, for his senior season. ... The Wolverines feature quarterback Connor Mitch, who accounted for over 4,000 yards and 51 touchdowns during a 9-3 season last season. ... Mitch has committed to South Carolina. ... Wakefield also features receiver Jordan Fieulleteau, who has committed to North Carolina. ... There is a possibility that Smith will be utilized some as a receiver at Wakefield. ... Smith has run 40 yards in 4.51 seconds. ... He was rated the No. 8 athlete at the Nike combine in Charlotte. ... Smith has also run track, focusing on the 400 meter. [Listed 07.14.12]

LUCAS THOMPSON (6-1, 185) DB, West Orange High, Winter Garden, FL ... Thompson, rated the No. 6 safety nationally, was the No. 139 propsect among ESPNU's 150. ... Made his commitment to the Pirates on Jan. 5, 2012, from the Under Armour All-American game in St. Petersburg, FL. ... Miami (FL), South Carolina and ECU were his final three. ... Said a "sense of family" in the Pirate program was the deciding factor in his commitment. ... Runs a 4.56-second time for 40 yards. ... Has size and physicality as well as quickness with anticipation ability. ... Also had offers from Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Ole Miss, Washington State, Wisconsin, Marshall, West Virginia, Illinois, Cincinnati and Purdue. ... Alabama, Florida and Florida State were among programs showing interest. ... Made his campus visit on Oct. 28, 2011. ... Once blocked three kicks in a high school game. ... West Orange Warriors were 8-4 under coach Tim Smith in 2011. [Posted 01.12.12] (Thompson signed with the Pirates in 2012 but was unable to enroll. East Carolina coach Ruffin McNeill indicated at his 2013 Signing Day press conference that Thompson is expected to be enrolled at ECU for the first session of summer school.)

MARQUIS WALLACE (6-5, 328) OT, Lackawanna Community College, Scranton, PA ... Wallace also received offers from Houston, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Pitt, South Florida, Texas Tech and Western Kentucky before he committed to East Carolina on Dec. 14. ... Other programs showing interest included California, Cincinnati, Florida, Memphis, Miami of Florida, North Carolina, N.C. State, Oklahoma, Penn State, San Diego State, Southern Methodist, Syracuse and Texas A&M. ... Lackawanna Falcons, coached by Mark Duda, went 5-5 in 2012. ... Wallace bench presses 310 pounds. ... He played on the high school level at Varina in Richmond and initially signed with West Virginia after an 8-2 season with the Blue Devils in 2009. ... Quick feet and aggressive with ability to sustain blocks and get to the second level. ... Coached by Stu Brown on the high school level. ... Brown called Wallace the best offensive lineman he'd ever coached. [Listed 02.03.13]

MARQUISE WHIDBEE (6-1, 180) WR, Elizabeth City Northeastern ... Whidbee was drawing recruiting attention from James Madison and N.C. State when he committed to East Carolina on Oct. 31. ... As a junior, Whidbee made All-Area and All-Conference. ... Runs 40 yards in 4.5 seconds. ... Caught 47 passes for 903 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2011. ... Also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and two punts for scores. ... Eagles are coached by Antonio Moore. ... Northeastern was 10-2 after a 35-22 win over Bertie in the first round of the 2-A playoffs in 2012. ... The Eagles were scheduled to meet Edenton Holmes in the second round. [Listed 11.06.12] [Was not included on East Carolina's official list of signees as announced on Signing Day, Feb. 6, 2013]

LARRY WILLIAMS (6-4, 280) OL, Wilmington Laney ... Attended camp at East Carolina on June 10 and committed to the Pirates on June 28. ... His Buccaneers team,coached by Greg Ditz, went 8-4 in 2011, beating Wakefield 30-27 in the first round of the playoffs before falling 55-35 to Garner. ... Williams had eight tackles in a 14-7 loss to Hoggard and seven tackles in a 51-28 win over Greenville Rose but projects as an offensive left guard for ECU. ... Finished with 28 solo tackles defensively as a high school junior. ... Runs 40 yards in 5.0 seconds. ... Bench press maximum is 335 pounds and has done 17 repititions with 225 pounds. ... Squat max is 500 and has done 42 reps with 315 pounds. ... Finished seventh in the state in wrestling. [Listed 07.02.12]