Rookie
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Season Preview
Schedule
1- vs Wake Forest
2- @ #15 NCSU
3- vs UCONN
4- BYE
5- vs Akron
6- BYE
7- vs Mid Tenn State
8- vs Marshall
9- @ UAB
10- @ FAU
11- @ Tulsa
12- vs Tulane
13- vs FIU
14- @ Southern Miss
Roster Preview
Quarterbacks
1. Holton Ahlers, So (83 OVR)
2. Kinglsey Ifedi RsSO (73 OVR)
3. Reid Herring RsJr (72 OVR)
With a weak team overall, this is one of the strongest position groups we have. The clear starter here is Ahlers. The Greenville native will be beginning his true sophmore season this year, and looks to be a four year starter for his hometown pirates. After Ahlers the situation becomes less clear. Kingsley Ifedi and Reid Herring are both going to be gunning for that backup job, and if Ahlers gets hurt, there most likely will be a strong competition. Neither of these guys will succeed Ahlers, as they are RsSO and RsJrs, but they will be hungry for the chance.
Running Backs
1.Darius Pinnix, RsSO (79 OVR)
2. Hussein Howe, RsJr (78 OVR)
3. Trace Christian, RsSo (76 OVR)
Running back is a position that will have a lot more controversy in the non- confrence games and beginning of the season. Each of these three guys will be getting major in-game looks, and most likely, there isn't a clear starter until the mid/late part of the season. Pinnix is a true power back and will probably hang on to the goal line back role, but the rest are up for grabs. Howe is a smaller, shiftier back while Christian is a more balanced runner. Christian also has the best speed of the group. This will be a fun one to watch coming up.
Recievers (Includes TE)
WR
1. Deondre Farrier, RsSR (83 OVR)
2. Tahj Deans, RsJr (81 OVR)
3. Leroy Henry, RsSo (76 OVR)
4. Blake Proehl, RsSo (72 OVR)
5. Mydreon Vines, RsSo (71 OVR)
TE
1. Anthony Watley Sr (73 OVR)
2. D'angelo Mckinnie, RsFr (70 OVR)
The wideouts have a clear top two upperclassmen in Farrier and Deans, but after that, the three RsSo's will be competing for playing time. Blake Proehl is the brother of Austin, former UNC wideout and son of Ricky, former NFL wideout. Blake sports the best speed of the corps and is a largely developmental WR at all other facets of his game. The TE position is going to mainly be manned by senior Anthony Watley this year, but after that, three current freshman will be vying for the spot. Watch out for this next year.
Offensive Line
The o-line is fairly average going into this year, as no players reach above 80 but none below 69. However, three starters on this line are seniors and only one looks to have a strong replacement. The line will likely be one of the main focuses of our recruiting this year, spearheaded by Ty West.
Defensive Line
LE
1. Damir Faison, RsFr (72 OVR)
2. Chance Purvis, RsJr (72 OVR)
RE
1. Kendall Futrell, Sr (83 OVR)
2. Dorian Hardy, RsFr (77 OVR)
DT
1. Alex Turner, Sr, (84 OVR)
2. Jalen Price, SR (79 OVR)
Both end spots on the line look fairly secure for the future, regarding collapse, with Dorian Hardy getting the reigns after this year and Damir Faison looking to lock down the starting LE position. However, the DT position looks worse. That's an understatement. After this year, the DT will be ECU's biggest weakness. Three frosh were brought in and redshirted as depth, but none are above a 67 overall. Raequon Purvis (Brother of Chance) is a RsJr, but a 69 OVR and not that promising. Coach West will be tested here.
Linebackers
LOLB
1. Aaron Ramseur, RsJr (82 OVR)
2. Delvontae Harris, RsSO (68 OVR)
MLB
1. Bruce Bivens, Jr (82 OVR)
2. Xavier Smith, RsFr (71 OVR)
ROLB
1. Cory Lynch, Fr (66 OVR)
2. Brendan Green, Fr (64 OVR)
Overall, linebackers are a solid position group for ECU with one glaring weakness. ROLB. I feel very good with the pair of 82 OVR juniors starting at left outside and middle spots, however, with a freshman who would most likely be redshirted by many teams starting at ROLB, I am very concerned. Hopefully, Lynch can develop well and become a solid starter for us. The worst that can happen is a horrible year with development.
Defensive Backs
CB
1. Colby Gore, Sr (88 OVR)
2. Michael Witherspoon, Sr (79 OVR)
3. Jaren Rainey, RsFr (71 OVR)
4. Damel Hickman, RsFr (67 OVR)
FS
1. Davondre Robinson, Jr (84 OVR)
2. Nolan Johnson, RsFr (72 OVR)
SS
1. Daniel Charles, RsFr (70 OVR)
2. Myles Berry, RsFr (70 OVR)
Much to my surprise, the secondary looks like our strongest position group this year. Robinson is a stud Junior FS, we have two very strong corners, and an abuncance of young safeties and corners waiting for a chance and to develop. The main concern here is SS, and our group has four RS frosh ranging from 68-70 overall waiting to compete. I'm excited to see who will develop fastest and become the true starter there.
K- Jake Verity (93 OVR)
P- John Young (80 OVR)
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