ECU Football 2013 National Signing Day
Greenville, NC Feb. 6, 2013 – East Carolina Head Football Coach Ruffin McNeill announced Wednesday that 22 student-athletes have signed national letters-of-intent with the Pirate program as of 11:15 a.m.:
Randall Anderson, DL, 6-4, 245, Fr., New Castle, Del. (William Penn/Fork Union)
Officially enrolled early at ECU in January of 2013 and will join Pirates for spring drills, thus signed a grant-in-aid with the program instead of a letter-of-intent (per NCAA policy). Prep School/High School: Was a starter on the defensive line for head coach Colonel John Schuman during lone year at Fork Union Military Academy … Helped FUMA to a 6-3 record in 2012 and played a key role for a defense that posted one shutout (against the junior varsity squad of Bethany College) … Part of a unit that surrendered an average of just 10.1 points per game … A First-Team Delaware Football Coaches Association All-State selection at defensive end as a senior at William Penn … Led Colonials to a 6-5 overall record and a 6-2 mark in Blue Hen Flight A play during final campaign … A First-Team Blue Hen Flight A selection following senior campaign … Invited to play for the Blue squad in the 57th annual Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game, which was held at Delaware Stadium (Newark) in June, 2012 and benefitted the Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens with Intellectual Disabilities … Also lettered as a junior when WPHS went 4-6 and 4-3 against Blue Hen Flight A competition … Earned first letter as a sophomore during the Colonials’ 5-5 record, which included a 5-2 mark versus Blue Hen Flight A foes … Picked up additional letters in track & field, and was a Honor Roll performer in the classroom … Also considered NC State, Maryland, Wake Forest and Temple.
Malcolm Ashley, DL, 6-4, 260, Fr., Havelock, N.C. (Havelock)
High School: Played key role for back-to-back state championship squads for head coach Jim Bob Bryant, an East Carolina graduate who earned state coach-of-the-year honors from the Associated Press (in 2011) … Helped lead Havelock to a 15-1 record in 2012, which also included a perfect Coastal Conference title-winning mark of 7-0 … In all, part of a Rams’ program that compiled a 31-1 record during junior and senior seasons … HHS bounced back from an early 34-33 setback to New Bern with 14 consecutive victories to repeat as the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3A champions in 2012 (defeated Concord 55-21 in the title contest) … As a junior, was named to the All-Coastal Conference and New Bern Sun Journal All-Area squads as a defensive end … Credited with 56 tackles, five sacks, a forced fumble and recovery in 2011, while also experiencing playing time at tight end to help Rams to a 16-0 record and state crown – the school’s first in 40 years … Started on Havelock’s varsity squad as a sophomore, playing on both sides of the ball, after beginning his prep career on the junior varsity unit as a freshman … Ranks among the top 110 defensive tackles nationally and is listed among the top 60 prospects in North Carolina according to ESPN.com, which also awarded him three stars … Selected as the MaxPreps.com Defensive Player-of-the-Game on two occasions during the 2012 campaign … Booked 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup vs. Jacksonville (Oct. 12) after posting five stops, one sack and two pass breakups vs. Kinston (Sept. 7) … Earned additional letters in track, recording throws of 42 feet in the shot put and 135 in the discus … Reportedly timed at 4.89 in the 40-yard dash and had lifts of 290 pounds (bench press) and 490 (squat) in program testing … High school teammate of fellow ECU signee A.J. Coplon.
Demage Bailey, DL, 6-5, 250, Fr., Clayton, N.C. (Clayton)
First name is pronounced deh-MAH-zhey. High School: Listed among the Top 65 prospects in the state of North Carolina by MaxPreps.com as a senior … Helped the Comets to a 9-4 overall record and a second-place finish in the Greater Neuse River Conference with a 6-1 divisional mark … Named Greater Neuse River 4A Defensive Player-of-the-Year in 2012 … Also selected to the First-Team Greater Neuse River 4A All-Conference squad … A two-way player (DE, TE) for coach Gary Fowler …Tabbed as the recipient of the program’s “Outstanding Defensive Lineman Award” as a senior … A strong classroom performer, earning inclusion on the Principal’s List during fall semester … Picked up additional varsity letters as a two-year starting center for the Comets’ basketball squad (as junior and senior).
Kurt Benkert, QB, 6-3, 205, Fr., Cape Coral, Fla. (Island Coast)
Officially enrolled early at ECU in January of 2013 and will join Pirates for spring drills, thus signed a grant-in-aid with the program instead of a letter-of-intent (per NCAA policy). High School: Topped all Southwest Florida quarterbacks in passing yards with 2,261 as a senior at Island Coast High School … Completed 147-of-236 passes (62.3 percent), which included 20 touchdown tosses and just four interceptions to help the Gators to an 8-3 overall record and 5-1 6A District 11 mark (co-champions with South Fort Myers) … On the ground, rushed for 300 yards on 80 carries … ICHS advanced to the Florida High School Athletic Association 6A playoffs, but fell to eventual final-four participant Naples in the first round … Earned Third-Team 6A All-State honors from the Associated Press while also picking up First-Team All-Area recognition from the Fort Myers News-Press … Transferred into head coach Joe Bowen’s program as a senior (from Cape Coral High School) after the Gators changed their offensive scheme from the veer to a pro-style attack, and followed by averaging 34.4 points per game in 2012 … Selected as the News-Press Player-of-the-Week (Oct. 12) after leading ICHS to a 55-0 victory over Bishop Verot … Was listed 33rd on the Orlando Sentinel’s MidWest Florida Super 60 list heading into his senior campaign … Helped lead CCHS to a 7-5 record (5-0 in league play) as a junior, completing 189-of-367 passes for 2,771 yards, 25 TDs and seven interceptions … Additionally, rushed 55 times for 150 yards and three touchdowns for coach Brad Metheny … Also served as the Seahawks’ punter, averaging 37.7 yards per boot with a long of 56 yards and 11 downed inside the 20-yard line … Named to the News-Press All-Area First Team unit as a punter in 2011. Personal: Born Baltimore, Md., but moved to Florida before entering third grade and remained there until the start of eighth grade … Returned to Maryland and helped lead Perry Hall to the state recreational football title and subsequently earned a scholarship to Loyola Blakefield (Towson) before moving back to Florida after two junior varsity seasons … Quarterbacked the Fort Myers (Fla.) Firecats to a state championship and third-place finish in the national Pop Warner playoffs while in seventh grade.
Trevon Brown, WR, 6-3, 190, Fr., Wilmington, N.C. (New Hanover)
High School: Finished prep career at New Hanover High School as the program’s all-time leading receiver with 2,601 yards … Played a key role for a Wildcats’ squad that rolled to an 11-2 record in 2012 and ventured deep into the playoffs before falling to eventual 4A state champion New Bern in the third round … Made 64 catches for 1,182 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior … Also threw one pass that resulted in a 35-yard score … Selected as the Wilmington Star News All-Area Offensive Player-of-the-Year and was a Mideastern Conference First-Team selection in ’12 … Named the Star News’ Player-of-the-Week on Sept. 13 after scoring six touchdowns on six touches (four receptions, kickoff and punt return) against Purnell Swett … A NCPreps.com and CarolinaPreps.com 4A All-State Team performer … Earned all-area honors (Star News) and all-conference honors as a junior after recording 66 catches for 1,035 yards and 11 TDs … Added 238 rushing yards for coach Kevin Motsinger … Also lettered as a basketball standout, earning inclusion on the 2012 4A Mideastern Second Team … Helped Kirk Angel’s team as a vital contributor during the Wildcats’ run to a state title … Reportedly clocked at 4.4 in the 40-yard dash.
Devaris Brunson, LB, 6-1, 210, Fr., Lake City, S.C. (Lake City)
High School: A four-year starter for Lake City who was rated a four-star prospect and stood among the top 20 linebackers nationally according to Scout.com … Also ranked as the 18th-best overall recruit in South Carolina by Rivals.com … A three-star pick who was the 14th-best prospect in the state by ESPN.com … A 2012 preseason all-state squad pick by MaxPreps.com … Selected to play for the Palmetto State in the 77th Annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … Tallied 70 tackles and two sacks for coach Jim Rowell and the Panthers as a senior … Recorded 10 or more stops in three of his final five regular-season games … Played on both sides of the ball, in fact, increased offensive role in 2012 by leading the team in rushing with 839 yards, which included a 109-yard effort in a playoff loss against Edisto … A 2012 High School Sports Report South Carolina High School League Division I-AA All-State Team pick at linebacker … Credited with a school single-season record 172 tackles as a junior, including 18 for lost yardage and 10 sacks … Also forced eight fumbles and had an interception in 2011 that helped earn nods to the Florence Morning News’ All-Pee Dee Team, WPDE’s All-Zone squad and Rivals.com All-State Team … In addition, was included on SCPrepNation.com’s all-state (second team) team … Played for a prep program that has produced NFL All-Pro defensive end Derrick Burgess, ex-NFL receiver Derrick Faison, Clemson linebacker alum Scotty Cooper and current South Carolina running back Shon Carson … Competed as a wrestler for LCHS during the winter, and as a junior in the 195-pound weight class, advanced to the state championship match … Wrestles in the 220-pound class this season … Reportedly was clocked at 4.47 in the 40-yard dash … Also considered NC State and Syracuse.
A.J. Coplon, DB, 5-11, 175, Fr., Havelock, N.C. (Havelock)
High School: A two-year starter who helped Havelock to back-to-back state championships as a junior and senior … Played key role in the Rams’ 15-1 record in 2012, which also included a perfect Coastal Conference title-winning mark of 7-0 … In all, was part of a HHS program that compiled a combined 31-1 record in 2011 and 2012 for coach Jim Bob Bryant, an East Carolina graduate who earned state coach-of-the-year honors from the Associated Press (in 2011) … During ’12 state title game, a 55-21 victory over Concord, scored on a 61-yard fumble return to break a 21-21 deadlock and later stripped a ball carrier and recovered a second fumble … Rams bounced back from an early season 34-33 loss to New Bern and won 14-straight games to capture the NCHSAA crown … Scored two receiving touchdowns, four punt return touchdowns and three interception returns for scores as a senior on the way to earning all-state honors from NCPreps.com, All-Coastal 3-A Conference and New Bern Sun Journal All-Area selections … Defensively, collected 42 tackles (2.5 for lost yardage), intercepted seven passes for 219 yards, has eight breakups and forced six fumbles … On the other side of ball, made 11 catches for 276 yards … Selected to play for North Carolina in the Annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … A three-time MaxPreps.com Player-of-the-Game honoree for efforts against Currituck County (Nov. 2/two tackles, interception, offensive and special teams TD), Jacksonville (Oct. 12/ two interception returns for 142 yards and a TD, two receptions for 24 yards) and West Carteret (Oct. 19/1 tackle, pass breakup, 15-yard interception return, 53-yard punt return for a TD, two receptions for 29 yards and a TD) … … Success in 2012 followed a 16-0 campaign in 2011 that delivered the program’s first state championship in 40 years … As a junior, produced 35 stops and led HHS with five interceptions (174 return yards and two TDs) … Earned a spot on the junior varsity squad as a freshman before being promoted to the varsity as a sophomore … Reported testing numbers include a vertical leap of 36 inches and a 4.3 time in the 40-yard dash … High school teammate of fellow ECU signee Malcolm Ashley.
Kirk Donaldson, DE, 6-3, 250, Fr., Charlotte, N.C. (Vance)
High School: Tallied 60 tackles (33 solo), 8.0 sacks and one fumble recovery during senior campaign as both a defensive end and outside linebacker for coach Keith Wilkes at Vance … A key contributor for a Cougar program that produced a 9-4 overall record, a 5-2 mark in 4A I-Meck play and a second-round North Carolina High School Athletic Association playoff appearance (after defeating Myers Park 40-17 in the opener) … Attended Davidson Day School as a junior, collecting 18 tackles and 2.5 sacks in a three-game, injury-shortened season (before bouncing to back to earn a basketball letter during the winter) … Opened prep career at Vance and lettered as a sophomore on a squad that went 11-4 and reached the semifinals of the state 4-AA playoffs … Reportedly bench-presses 375 pounds, squats 500 and runs a 4.8 40-yard dash.
Davon Grayson, WR, 6-2, 175, Fr., Suffolk, Va. (Kings Fork)
High School: A First-Team All-Southeastern District selection at both wide receiver and defensive back for coach Joe Jones at Kings Fork High School … Also named to the Virginian-Pilot’s All-Tidewater First-Team Defense unit as a senior after helping the Bulldogs to a program-record seven wins (7-4) and the school’s first-ever appearance in the Virginia High School League Division 5 Football playoffs (before suffering a 16-15 setback to Lakeland in the opening round) … Had 45 receptions for 596 yards and seven touchdowns … On defense, picked off three passes, had eight breakups and recovered three fumbles … Top single-game effort was an 11-catch, 127-yard, one touchdown performance against Oscar Smith (Nov. 5) … Earned selection to the 2012 Best of the 757 All-Camp Team following the Fifth Annual Best of the 757 Football Showcase in May … Played in just two games as a junior in 2011 because of a hand injury … Also a track letterman for KFHS, clearing 6 feet, 3 inches in the high jump and 21-4 in the long jump … Member of relay teams that have turned in times of 45.06 (4×100) and 3:24.96 (4×400) … A strong performer in the classroom who possesses a current grade point average of 3.3.
Patrick Green, LB, 6-2, 200, Fr., Winston-Salem, N.C. (North Forsyth)
High School: A CarolinaPreps.com 3A All-State Team selection as a senior after recording 61 tackles, six quarterback hurries, 13 tackles for lost yardage and 10 sacks … Also had an interception, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, two pass breakups and a defensive touchdown for coach Pete Gilchrist’s Vikings … The three-time 3A Mid-Point honoree was a two-year varsity starter after transferring into the NFHS program before his sophomore year … Selected as the league’s defensive player-of-the-year in 2012 after helping lead Vikings to a 6-5 overall record, a 4-1 conference mark and a bid to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state playoffs (before falling to A.L. Brown 41-34 in the opening round) … Checked in at No. 46 on the Fayetteville Observer’s Top 50 college football prospects list prior to the 2012 campaign … A key component of a defense that posted two shutouts (Asheboro and Southwestern Randolph) and held three opponents to less than 10 points … Prep effort of note includes a 12-tackle performance in a 29-13 win over Pfafftown Reagan (junior season) … Finished 2011 campaign with 29 solo tackles and 21 assists despite being hindered by a nagging injury … Also lettered in basketball, averaging 4.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest for a 24-5 Vikings basketball team in 2011-12 … Reportedly was timed at 4.6 in the 40-yard dash.
Isaiah Jones, WR, 6-1, 170, Fr., Austin, Texas (Stephen F. Austin)
High School: On the receiving end of 36 passes for 439 yards (12.2 ypr) and six touchdowns as a senior at Stephen F. Austin High School … Led Maroons with 14 kick returns for 159 yards (11.4 ypr), rushed for an additional 204 yards on 41 carries and completed three-of-six passes for 32 yards and a TD … A two-year varsity starter for coach Mike Rosenthal, who was a Monogram winner at Notre Dame and enjoyed an NFL career with the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins … Rates as a three-star recruit according to Scout.com and ESPN.com … A First-Team All-District (15-5A) selection at wide receiver and kick returner in 2012 …. One of only three wide receivers to earn a spot on the Austin American-Statesman’s All-Central Texas 2012 preseason football team … Also was a Fanstand/KJCE AM 1370 Preseason All-Austin Area Team pick as a receiver … Contest of note was a five-catch, 65-yard, two-touchdown effort against Westwood in the Maroons’ season opener … Caught 41 passes for 359 yards and four touchdowns as a junior … Also ran for 55 yards and a score 42 attempts and completed 27-of-53 passes for 280 yards with four TDs and four interceptions in 2011 … Junior season highlight was a three-touchdown passing performance against Akins … Split the District 15-5A Newcomer-of-the-Year award with Bowie junior running back Gino Jonassaint in ’11. Personal: Son of former Pirate letterman (1988-91) Robert Jones, who remains the only consensus (AP, Scripps-Howard, Football News, Walter Camp, Kodak, College Football Writers Association, College & Pro Football Newsweekly) All-America performer (1991) in the history of the ECU program … Father also earned All-America honors out of his linebacking position as a junior in 1990 and was a part of three Super Bowl championship teams with the Dallas Cowboys (1993, 1994, 1996) … Uncle, Jeff Blake, was quarterback on the 1991 East Carolina team and had an extended career in the NFL … Blake placed seventh in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy as a senior with the Pirates when he passed for 3,073 yards … Cousin, Torre Blake, plays for the ECU volleyball team … Cousin Emory Blake, who played for Auburn, caught a touchdown pass in the 2010 national championship game … Older brother, Cayleb Jones, is a wide receiver at Texas.
Terrell Lane, RB, 5-11, 225, Jr., Norton, Kan. (Norton/Hutchinson CC)
Junior College: Led the National Junior College Athletic Association in rushing as a sophomore with 1,632 yards and 15 touchdowns on 254 carries – an average of 6.4 yards per attempt … Averaged 136.0 rushing yards per game and topped unit in both touchdowns (18) and points (108) … Long rush was a 64-yarder … Was also a receiving threat out of the backfield with 24 catches for 176 yards and three scores … Averaged 7.3 yards per reception. High School: Ran for 1,051 yards and seven TDs on 159 rushes (6.6) during senior season at Norton High School … Caught four passes for 58 yards, and as a two-way starter for the Bluejays, was credited with 47 tackles (30 solo), 2.0 sacks, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble … As a junior, picked up 1,433 yards on 221 attempts (6.5) and scored 20 TDs, one of which was a 99-yarder … Averaged 30.8 yards per catch, logging 123 yards on just four receptions … Defensively, tallied 51 stops (44 solo).
Christian Matau, OL, 6-3, 315, Fr., New Bern, N.C. (New Bern)
High School: A three-year letterwinner and two-year starter for coach Bobby Curlings and the Bears … Helped lead New Bern High School to an undefeated season (15-0) as a senior and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4A state championship after a 39-38 win over Porter Ridge … Considered one of the anchors of an offense that scored 645 points (topped 40 on nine occasions) – an average of 43.0 per game … Credited with 35 pancake blocks in 2012 … Suffered a season-ending knee injury and did not play in any of the playoff games … Was selected to play in the Annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, but missed contest due to the aforementioned injury … Earned all-area honors from the New Bern Sun Journal as a senior … Played an integral role in the Bears’ 12-2 campaign in 2011, which included a perfect 5-0 mark in 4A Mideastern League play … NBHS reached the 4A NCHSAA state semifinals before falling 61-28 to eventual state champion Scotland County (a loss the Bears later avenged with a 23-6 victory in the ’12 state semifinals) … Keyed a line as a junior that helped New Bern average 40.4 points and over 400 yards of offense per game … A First-Team All-Mideastern Conference and New Bern Sun Journal All-Area pick in 2011 … Reportedly turned in testing lifts of 345 pounds (bench press) and 415 (squat), while running a 5.25 40-yard dash and producing a vertical jump over 20 inches. Personal: Oldest brother, Ben, was a 6-foot, 245-pound two-way lineman who was part of New Bern’s 2007 state 4-AA championship team as a sophomore, while middle brother, Jonathan, was labeled as a physical and intense player who earned first-team All-Mideastern 4-A Conference honors as a senior in 2010 at linebacker … Father was a high school quarterback, while first cousin Fou Fonoti will be entering his second season as Michigan State’s starting right tackle in 2012.
Demetri McGill, DL, 6-1, 300, Fr., Virginia Beach, Va. (Ocean Lakes)
High School: Tallied 112 total tackles, 19 for lost yardage, and 12 sacks to lead Ocean Lakes to a 14-1 overall record and an AAA Beach League title with a 10-0 mark as a senior … Also credited with a punt and two field goal blocks … Helped head coach Chris Scott and the Dolphins reach the Virginia High School League Group AAA Division 6 State Championship Game in 2012 before dropping title contest to Bird (14-10) … A mainstay for a defensive unit that held opponents to just 118 points in 15 games – an average of 7.9 points per contest … In all, OLHS posted six shutouts and held 14 of 15 opponents to 15 points or fewer … Earned VirginiaPreps.com All-Eastern Region Second Team and Virginian-Pilot All-Tidewater First-Team honors after senior campaign … A three-star recruit who is rated among the top 45 prospects in the state according to ESPN.com … Cited as the No. 3 prospect in South Hampton Roads by the Virginian-Pilot because of his “athleticism and explosiveness off the ball” … Selected to the Virginia High School Coaches Association Second Team All-State and AAA Beach First-Team squads as a junior after playing a role in the Dolphins’ 8-3-1 overall record (8-2 conference) … Suffered knee injury during sophomore season which limited play … Also considered Maryland.
Tristan Mumford, LB, 6-1, 225, Fr., Statesville, N.C. (Statesville)
Officially enrolled early at ECU in January of 2013 and will join Pirates for spring drills, thus signed a grant-in-aid with the program instead of a letter-of-intent (per NCAA policy). High School: A four-year varsity starter (defensive end, running back, quarterback, linebacker) for head coach Randall Gusler at Statesville High School … A three-star recruit according to ESPN.com and Scout.com who was No. 19 on Tom Lemming’s Top 25 Big Backs list … ESPN.com also labeled him as the 24th-best prospect in the state North Carolina … Selected to play in the Annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … Chosen as the 3A North Piedmont Player-of-the-Year … Also earned all-state honors (as a linebacker) from NCPreps.com and all-region accolades from the Charlotte Observer … Was No. 17 on the Fayetteville Observer Top 50 “college football prospects” list prior to the 2012 campaign and was No. 23 on the Raleigh News & Observer’s Top 25 list … Helped Greyhounds to a 13-2 overall record and 6-0 mark in league play as a senior … SHS advanced to the state semifinals before falling to Charlotte Catholic in a game where he completed 13-of-28 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns … Keyed offensive unit that scored 625 points – an average of 41.7 per game – by throwing for 1,904 yards and 16 TDs, and rushing for 677 yards and 18 additional scores … Defensively, was credited with 70 tackles, 5.0 sacks, an interception and 99-yard fumble recovery returned for a TD … Accounted for 266 total yards (169 passing, 97 rushing), all four touchdowns and came up with a key run in the final two minutes to lead the Greyhounds to a 27-21 victory over Belmont South Point in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3AA West Final (state quarterfinals) … Slated to serve as the Greyhounds’ running back as a junior, but injuries forced a change of positions … Promptly delivered a 55-yard touchdown pass on his first throw … Overall, 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 Statesville to a 6-2 record over their last eight games when he was starting QB … An All-North Piedmont Conference pick as a junior after gaining 1,164 yards and 22 TDs as a running back during his sophomore season … Caught eight balls for 70 yards out of the backfield.
Mike Myers, DL, 6-0, 285, Fr., Goose Creek, S.C. (Goose Creek)
High School: A four-year varsity letterman who rates as a three-star recruit and the 20th-best prospect in the state of South Carolina according to ESPN.com … Provided leadership for a Goose Creek High School team as a senior that posed a 13-0 record and tallied a 35-25 win over Bluffton in the second round of the South Carolina High School League Class 4A Division II playoffs … Anchored a defense that allowed just 157 points (12.1 ppg) for head coach Chuck Reedy, a former collegiate assistant coach at Clemson (when current ECU coach Ruffin McNeill served as a graduate assistant) and head coach at Baylor … Credited with 44 stops (25 solo), 14.0 tackles for lost yardage, 3.0 sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble and one safety … Got off to a hot start, tallying 18 tackles (eight solo) in the first four games of the 2012 season … A SCVarsity.com All-State honoree who was selected to South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association North-South All-Star Football Game following senior year … Earned player-of-the-game designations by MaxPreps.com on three occasions during the 2012 campaign – vs. Colleton County (Aug. 31/two tackles and two TFL), vs. Beaufort (Sept. 28/three solo hits, six total stops, two TFL, defensive TD) and vs. Carolina Forest (Oct. 5/two tackles, two TFL, one sack, two interceptions – one returned 42 yards for a score) … A major contributor to the Gators’ state (South Carolina High School League 4A Division II) championship run that culminated with a 37-21 victory over Greenwood as a junior … Collected 77 tackles and registered 5.0 sacks for a squad that went 14-1 and also claimed the Region 7-AAAA title in 2011 … Part of a GCHS program that advanced to the Division II-AAAA Lower State Finals in 2009 and 2010 … Rushed for nearly 600 yards and scored 10 touchdowns as a co-starter at fullback in 2010 … Reportedly timed at 4.8 in the 40-yard dash.
Travis Phillips, DB, 5-11, 175, Fr., Montpelier, Va. (Patrick Henry)
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).
Travon Simmons, DB, 5-10, 170, Fr., Powder Springs, Ga. (Hillgrove)
High School: Played key role for a Hillgrove High School program that advanced to the Georgia High School Association 6A Playoffs before falling to Camden County … Helped the Hawks to an overall record of 6-5 and a 5-3 mark in 6A Region 4 play … Anchored a defense that held six opponents to 15 or fewer points during his senior season, which included consecutive shutouts against Campbell and Pebblebrook … Also starred as a kickoff return specialist, recording a 78-yarder to open the Pebblebrook contest and adding a 55-yarder against Kennesaw Mountain to begin second half action … Defensively, picked off a pass against Beach in the first round of the Georgia High School Association playoffs as a junior … Hawks rolled to an 11-1 record (7-0 league mark) in 2011 … Participated in the 2012 Nike Combine circuit, posting an electronically-timed 4.69 in the 40-yard dash, a 4.2 clip in the 20-yard shuttle, a 31.6-inch vertical leap and a 82.38 SPARQ score. Personal: Brother, Traye, played collegiately in the Big 10 Conference at Minnesota before signing with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2010.
Brandon Smith, OL, 6-8, 330, Fr., Kernersville, N.C. (East Forsyth)
Officially enrolled early at ECU in January of 2013 and will join Pirates for spring drills, thus signed a grant-in-aid with the program instead of a letter-of-intent (per NCAA policy). High School: Selected to the 2012 Associated Press All-State squad, as voted on by 17 statewide media members … A two-year varsity starter who earned three-star designation according to Scout.com … Helped guide Todd Willert’s East Forsyth High School program to a 13-1 record as a senior, which included a 6-0 mark in 4-A Piedmont Triad League play … Eagles did not suffer a loss until the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4AA quarterfinals (a 25-15 setback to eventual state champion Butler) … Anchored an offensive line from the guard position that helped EFHS amass over 4,000 yards and score 568 points – an average of 40.6 per game … Tallied 29 pancake blocks during final campaign and allowed only one sack in 138 chances … In addition to AP all-state status, also selected First Team All-Piedmont Triad 4-A Conference, NCPreps.com 4A All-State, CarolinaPreps.com 4A All-State, Triad Sports Weekly All-Forsyth County and Winston-Salem Journal All-Northwest (region) in 2012 … Played key role in East Forsyth’s 9-3 campaign (5-1 league record) in 2011, earning All-Piedmont Triad 4-A Conference honors as a junior … Offensive unit averaged 30.9 points per outing and reached 40-point plateau on three occasions on the way to a NCHSAA first-round playoff appearance … Also named to the Triad Sports Weekly All-Forsyth County First-Team … Spent freshman season on junior varsity squad before a late-season sophomore year promotion to varsity. Personal: Due to his height and the absence of Forsyth County middle school programs, Smith didn’t play organized football until the ninth grade.
Xavier Smith, DB, 6-2, 190, Fr., Raleigh, N.C. (Wakefield)
High School: Played his senior season for head coach Rod Sink at Wakefield High School after opening prep career at Wake Forest-Rolesville as a freshman, sophomore and junior … Listed as a three-star recruit and the 47th-best prospect in the state of North Carolina according to ESPN.com … A key part of a Wolverines’ squad that posted an 11-2 overall mark and a 6-1 4A Cap Eight record in 2012 … WHS advanced to the second round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4AA playoffs before falling to Garner Magnet … Earned Cap Eight First-Team All-Conference honors … Tallied 45 tackles, seven pass breakups and one blocked kick as a junior at Wake Forest-Rolesville … Helped the Cougars to an 11-3 record (6-1 in 4A Cap Eight play) in 2011 by contributing to a defense that allowed only 19.6 points per game … Stood ninth among all Cap Eight tacklers during junior campaign … Part of a Rolesville program that rolled to a 14-1 mark (6-0 league) in 2009 during freshman year, suffering only loss to Jack Britt in the state semifinals … Participated in the 2011 Under Armour Combine and the 2010 Schuman’s National Underclassmen Combine in Durham and received the DB MVP award … Rated as the No. 8 athlete at the Nike combine in Charlotte … Also earned track letters at Rolesville as a 400-meter specialist … Reportedly was timed at 4.51 in the 40-yard dash
Marquis Wallace, OL, 6-5, 305, Jr., Henrico, Va. (Varina/Lackawanna College)
Originally signed with West Virginia in 2010 and transferred to Marshall prior to the start of the season before attending Blinn (Texas) Junior College and Lackawanna College … Reported to preseason camp in Morgantown and participated with the Mountaineers for the first 10 days before departing the WVU program. Junior College (Lackawanna): A starter on the line for an offensive unit that averaged 34.7 points per game … Helped Falcons to a 5-5 overall record and a 2-4 ledger in Northeast Football Conference play in 2012 … Played for head coach Mark Duda, who starred in the National Football League (spending six seasons with the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals) … Previous players from Lackawanna who recently signed with the Pirates include linebackers Orlando Farrow and Danny Muhwezi, who both joined the ECU program as mid-year additions in December, 2005. High School: A three-star recruit according to ESPN.com who earned selection to the 2009 VirginiaPreps.com AAA All-State squad (offense) …Also a two-time First-Team All-Central Regional honoree for head coach Stu Brown … Included among Virginia’s Top 25 prospects by Rivals.com and the Roanoke Times … A three-time All-Capital District selection … Helped lead Varina to an 8-2 record, a district championship game appearance and a No. 12 state ranking as a senior … Key component of an offensive line that paved the way for a 1,700-yard rusher and a unit average of 33.5 points a game … Also garnered a Top 30 ranking in the state of Virginia by VirginiaPreps.com.
Larry Williams, OL, 6-4, 290, Fr., Wilmington, N.C. (Laney)
High School: Totaled 56 tackles, including 33 solo hits, one sack and two fumble recoveries as a senior for head coach Greg Ditz at Laney High School … Helped the Buccaneers to a 5-5 regular season record and an appearance in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4AA playoffs where they suffered an opening round setback to Middle Creek … A three-star recruit and a top 50 North Carolina prospect according to ESPN.com … A two-time Wilmington Star News All-Area First Team selection (as an offensive lineman) … Also earned First-Team All-Mideastern Conference honors as a junior in 2011 after contributing to LHS’s 8-4 record and second-round playoff appearance … Victory against Wakefield in the opening round was the school’s first post-season triumph since 2001 … In all, finished junior campaign with 32 stops (28 solo, six tackles for lost yardage) and graded out at 88 percent for play on the offensive line … Defensive efforts of note in 2011 include an eight-tackle performance against Hoggard and a seven-stop outing against J.H. Rose … Was a two-way starter as a sophomore, junior and senior after playing at the junior varsity level as a freshman … Participated in the 2011 Shrine Bowl Combine and completed 17 repetitions of 335 pounds on the bench press and 42 reps of 315 pounds on the squat lift … Reportedly ran a time of 4.9 in the 40-yard dash … Also a standout letterman on the mat, finishing seventh in the NCHSAA state wrestling tournament at 285 pounds as a junior … As a senior, helped Buccaneers to the Mideastern 4A Conference Dual Meet Wrestling championship, defeating Hoggard (51-21), J. H. Rose (65-10), New Hanover (70-12) and three-time defending champion New Bern (45-23) to take the title … Captured all five 285-pound matches, two with a pin, to help team claim the championship … Also took first place in the 285-pound class at the Battle at the Beach, leading team to a first-place finish among eight squads.
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