Should be cleared to play in August after completing recovery and rehabilitation work following a second (2006, 2008) off-season shoulder surgery ... If comeback is realized, could be counted on to play a key role in ECU's rushing attack as a sophomore ... Will open preseason drills with a position on the Pirates' depth chart at tailback along with a stable of others ... Despite the high numbers of competition, coaches feel playing time should be ample in rotating backfield ... Brings explosiveness, intensity and toughness to abundant skill level ... Proven to be a reliable pass catcher out of tailback slot ... Height and strength allows a thrusting low ball carrying angle ... Surgery did not allow for spring practice participation. 2007: Redshirt freshman who rushed for 44 yards on six carries in eight games ... Career-long rush of 14 yards came in the final regular season game ... Also experienced action as member of special teams squad ... vs. Va. Tech (9/1): Member of special teams unit - no stats ... vs. UNC (9/8): Member of special teams unit - no stats ... vs. USM (9/15): Member of special teams unit - no stats ... vs. WVU (9/22): Saw first collegiate action in Pirate backfield ... Rushed four times for 29 yards, which included a long of 12 yards in the fourth quarter ... Member of special teams unit - no stats ... vs. Houston (9/29): Member of special teams unit - no stats ... vs. UCF (10/6): DNP-CD ... vs. UTEP (10/13): DNP-INJ ... vs. N.C. State (10/20): DNP-INJ ... vs. UAB (10/27): Rushed once for one yard in a reserve role ... vs. Memphis (11/3): DNP-CD ... vs. Marshall (11/10): DNP-CD ... vs. Tulane (11/24): Had one carry for a career-long of 14 yards ... vs. Boise State (12/23): Member of special teams unit - no stats. 2006: Redshirted ... Spent majority of fall rehabilitating from shoulder surgery ... Officially signed with Skip Holtz' program in February, 2006. High School: Captured back-to-back conference MVP honors for a tradition-rich Richmond County program ... Earned four letters and helped guide the Raiders to a combined 52-4 record during prep career which included consecutive conference titles in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 ... Rushed for 2,175 yards and scored 24 touchdowns as a senior ... Established new Richmond County single-season records a year earlier as a junior with 2,666 rushing yards (290 carries) and 39 ground scores ... Averaged an impressive 9.2 yards per carry as a junior ... Ran for over 700 yards as a sophomore ... Opened high school career by becoming the first freshman in Raider history to score two playoff touchdowns ... Elected team captain during senior campaign ... Top single-game effort of note was a 377 all-purpose yard performance, which included a 91-yard kickoff return, against Millbrook High School ... Listed as 11th-best prospect in North Carolina by SuperPrep Magazine ... Selected to play in the prestigious Shrine Bowl and responded with an MVP performance ... Rushed for 132 yards to lead North Carolina to a 28-24 win over South Carolina ... Produced a 40 time of 4.47 ... Coach was ECU Hall-of-Fame member and former Pirate coach Ed Emory (1980-1984). Personal: Full name is Norman Eugene Whitley ... Born January 2, 1987 ... Major is family community services ... Hobbies include video games ... Earned selection to the 2006-07 ECU Athletic Director's Honor Roll. |
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