ECU's recruiting class

2008 record: 9-5
C-USA record: 6-2
Overall class ranking: 10, C-USA; 97, overall
In-state recruits: 13
Average stars: 2.33
Five-star recruits: None
Four-star recruits: None
Class prize: Terry can run and catch and has good size and speed.

Mike Farrell, analyst for rivals.com says:

"Skip Holtz does a great job of talent evaluation. He generally isn’t going to get the kids that have offers from N.C. State and North Carolina so the class is not going to be ranked that highly. ECU is picking from the ‘B list’ kids in North Carolina. But for a program that is not in the BCS to land six players ranked three stars is impressive. A three-star player to us is someone with the potential to be an all-conference player.”

East Carolina coach Skip Holtz says:"We've always believed in building a program with quality people and
I feel that this particular group really serves as a testament to
that. Not only did we address talent, speed, athleticism
and toughness, but we gained a class of young men that really
exemplifies the character and academic qualities that are critical to
the continued success of our program

"I feel that we answered our needs on both sides of the ball,"
Holtz added. "I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to work
with them on a daily basis and have these young men represent East
Carolina University. They certainly have a chance to be a special
group, who I feel offer us plenty of balance, athleticism and a strong
commitment to help our program take another step.

"Fourteen of our signees attended our summer camps in the past
so there were relationships developed and a strong sense of familiarity
with our program. That, along with our focus to keep
in-state recruiting as a priority, has certainly paid off for us over
the past four years."

 

East Carolina commitments with rivals.com ranking from five stars down to one star.

★★ Jimmy Booth • Greenville • 6-2 • 288
Greenville Rose defensive tackle committed to the Pirates in July, Led Rampants in tackles for lost yardage and was selected as the
Greenville Daily Reflector's Defensive Player-of-the-Year in 2008

★★ Michael Brooks • Yanceyville • 6-3 • 280
Bartlett Yancey tackle already has the size and the speed (5.1 in 40 yards) and should get stronger. Tallied a total of 331 tackles during career at Bartlett Yancey High
School. Was a three-year all-region, all-conference and defensive
MVP selection, Earned all-state honors as a senior team captain
after racking up 94 stops and 12.5 sacks. Shrine Bowl of the
Carolinas All-Star Game

★★ Jordan Davis • Fort Walton Beach, Fla. • 6-3 • 290
Played for former ECU player and Greenville Rose coach Greg Thmas at Choctawhatchee.

★★★ Michael Dobson • Mount Airy • 6-0 • 185
Averaged 11.3 yards per carry as a senior, rushing for 1,758 yards and
35 touchdowns on 156 attempts to help lead Mount Airy to a 16-0 record
and Class I-A state championship. Ran for 1,638 yards on 153 carries
(10.7 ypr) as a junior, scoring 33 touchdowns to help lead the Bears to
13-1 record and a conference title

★★ Ty Holmes • Lexington • 6-1 • 207
Pirates were the only school to offer fast safety who had 75 tackles and four interceptions as a junior. Averaging nearly 15 stops per contest in 2006 as a sophomore

★★ Torrance Hunt • Durham • 5-7 • 152
Jordan defensive back, wide receiver had the fastest 40 time of the summer in North Carolina, a stunning 4.29 electronic time. Compiled 622 rushing yards and 238 reception yards on 12 catches .
Was also program's top kickoff return specialist, racking up over 300
yards and three touchdowns (95, 96 and 98-yard returns). Was
responsible for 10 touchdowns in 2008

★★ Rio Johnson • Tyrone, Ga. • 6-2 • 177
Quarterback completed 128-of-208 passes for 1,770 yards and 15
touchdowns as a senior. Passed
for 1,810 yards and 14 scores during junior campaign in 2007

★★★ Justin Jones • Conyers, Ga. • 6-8 • 252
Tall tight end had committed to Kentucky, but switched to the Pirates recently. 71 tackles, which included 22 for lost yardage. Also netted 10.5
sacks, forced five fumbles and recovered four - returning one for a
touchdown. As a tight end, had 11 receptions for 115 yards and five touchdowns

★★ Lamar McLendon • Fayetteville • 6-1 • 210
Extremely quick (4.5 40) inside linebacker helped Seventy-First to the state 4-A title and chose ECU over Duke.

★★ Matt Milner • Raleigh • 6-4 • 240
Cardinal Gibbons standout has great speed for a down lineman and should fill out. Recorded 104 tackles, 37 for losses, eight
sacks, two batted passes and a pair of fumble recoveries. As a tight end, was credited with 64
knock-down blocks

★★★ Zico Pasut • Charlotte • 6-3 • 245
Ardrey Kell tight end picked the Pirates over offers from VPI, Western Carolina, West Virginia and Duke. Recorded 26 catches for 308 yards as a junior. Injured much of 2008.

★★ Marke Powell • Troy • 6-3 • 198
West Montgomery linebacker had 68 stops and recovered a fumble

★★ Mike Price • New Bern • 6-2 • 160
Wide receiver is known for running get routes and catching whatever is thrown his way. 2007 NCHSAA state indoor triple jump champion.

★★ Korey Reynolds • Senatobia, Miss. • 6-3 • 245
Former Boston College commitment switched when Eagles changed coaches. Earlier had signed with Hawaii so he signed a grant in aid with ECU. Played high school ball at Hoover, Ala.

★★★ Giavanni Ruffin • Visalia, Calif. • 6-1 • 210
Visalia (CA) College of the Sequoias runner runs a 4.4 40; Rushed for 463 yards and five touchdowns at College of the Sequoias in California. Played high school ball at Virginia Beach, Va.

★★★ Will Simmons* • Ahoskie • 6-5 • 322
Hertford County tackle dropped about 50 pounds to develop as an outstanding right tackle prospect. 2008 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star Game

★★★ Damonte Terry • Laurinburg • 6-0 • 188
Extremely explosive runner who can block, run and catch and has natural running ability. Accounted for 3,895 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns during his career at Scotland High School. Shrine Bowl selection.

★★ Kyle Tudor* • Evans, Ga. • 6-3 • 195
Big safety has imposing size and led his team in tackles as a sophomore and junior.

★★★ Reese Wiggins* • Durham • 5-10 • 181
Southern Durham wide receiver doesn’t have blazing speed, but is elusive and quick. Accounted for 1,174 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. Had 659 yards in receptions
on 44 catches and 515 kick return yards.