ECU Football Announces 2018 Early Signees
December 20, 2017 | Football
Signee Bios (PDF) l Signing Day Central l Press Conference l Highlight Video
GREENVILLE, N.C. – Third-year ECU Head Football Coach Scottie Montgomery announced Wednesday that 19 student-athletes have signed a national letter-of-intent with the Pirates.
The NCAA's newly-implemented early football signing period, which now enables high school prospects to ink with collegiate programs in December, extends through Friday.
Some notables about ECU's 2018 initial signing class:
DEFENSE, OFFENSE
Of the 19 newcomers, 13 are projected to play on the defensive side of the ball, while the remaining six (6) will line up on offense. Defensively, ECU is looking forward to bulking up its secondary by adding seven defensive backs, including two junior college transfers, while also addressing its front seven with a trio of linemen and linebackers each. On offense, the Pirates signed a pair of linemen, two wide receivers, one quarterback and a tight end.
BUILDING BY DEVELOPING
Freshmen (17) compose nearly 90 percent of ECU's early signing class. The Pirates' two junior college transfers – Warren Saba (3) and Michael Witherspoon (2) have a combined five seasons of eligibility remaining as well.
EARLY ARRIVALS
In addition to Saba and Witherspoon, seven incoming freshmen are expected to enroll early at ECU (January, 2018) and participate in spring drills with the Pirates - QB Holton Ahlers, DB Myles Berry, DL Chandler Medeiros, OL Donovan Noel, DB Jaren Rainey, LB Xavier Smith and OL Peyton Winstead.
IN-STATE RELATIONSHIPS
Montgomery and his staff's strong relationships with in-state high school coaches enabled ECU to maintain its notable regional flavor. A total of 13 of the 19 signees hail from prep programs in North Carolina (68 percent), while Virginia (two), Florida (one), Georgia (one), Ohio (one) and South Carolina (one) were also represented.
QUOTING MONTGOMERY
"While we certainly addressed talent, speed and athleticism, which are vital to successfully compete in the American Athletic Conference, we also gained a class of young men with character who epitomize our core values. A program is built with quality people and this group is a testament to that. I'm proud of our staff and the battles we fought, and I look forward to the future with a great deal of anticipation and optimism."
THE FUTURE & THE PAST
The Pirates return six starters on offense and seven on defense when spring drills open February 19. ECU will host North Carolina A&T on Sept. 1 to kick off the 2018 season. The Pirates posted a 3-9 overall mark and stood tied for fourth in the American Athletic Conference's East Division during Montgomery's second campaign as head coach in 2017.
GREENVILLE, N.C. – Third-year ECU Head Football Coach Scottie Montgomery announced Wednesday that 19 student-athletes have signed a national letter-of-intent with the Pirates.
The NCAA's newly-implemented early football signing period, which now enables high school prospects to ink with collegiate programs in December, extends through Friday.
Some notables about ECU's 2018 initial signing class:
DEFENSE, OFFENSE
Of the 19 newcomers, 13 are projected to play on the defensive side of the ball, while the remaining six (6) will line up on offense. Defensively, ECU is looking forward to bulking up its secondary by adding seven defensive backs, including two junior college transfers, while also addressing its front seven with a trio of linemen and linebackers each. On offense, the Pirates signed a pair of linemen, two wide receivers, one quarterback and a tight end.
BUILDING BY DEVELOPING
Freshmen (17) compose nearly 90 percent of ECU's early signing class. The Pirates' two junior college transfers – Warren Saba (3) and Michael Witherspoon (2) have a combined five seasons of eligibility remaining as well.
EARLY ARRIVALS
In addition to Saba and Witherspoon, seven incoming freshmen are expected to enroll early at ECU (January, 2018) and participate in spring drills with the Pirates - QB Holton Ahlers, DB Myles Berry, DL Chandler Medeiros, OL Donovan Noel, DB Jaren Rainey, LB Xavier Smith and OL Peyton Winstead.
IN-STATE RELATIONSHIPS
Montgomery and his staff's strong relationships with in-state high school coaches enabled ECU to maintain its notable regional flavor. A total of 13 of the 19 signees hail from prep programs in North Carolina (68 percent), while Virginia (two), Florida (one), Georgia (one), Ohio (one) and South Carolina (one) were also represented.
QUOTING MONTGOMERY
"While we certainly addressed talent, speed and athleticism, which are vital to successfully compete in the American Athletic Conference, we also gained a class of young men with character who epitomize our core values. A program is built with quality people and this group is a testament to that. I'm proud of our staff and the battles we fought, and I look forward to the future with a great deal of anticipation and optimism."
THE FUTURE & THE PAST
The Pirates return six starters on offense and seven on defense when spring drills open February 19. ECU will host North Carolina A&T on Sept. 1 to kick off the 2018 season. The Pirates posted a 3-9 overall mark and stood tied for fourth in the American Athletic Conference's East Division during Montgomery's second campaign as head coach in 2017.
Saturday, April 18
Monday, April 13
Friday, April 10
Tuesday, April 07
