Draft Scout East Carolina Player News, College Football: East Carolina

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Draft Scout College Football Player News: East Carolina

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07/27/20 - Tyler Snead, rSo/2022, East Carolina + More +

2020 PRESEASON PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST: Tyler Snead, ECU,...Last year, Snead started seven of 12 games and hauled down a team-high 66 receptions for 759 yards (11.5 ypc) with a squad-best five touchdowns. He also added 516 return yards (481/KOR, 35/PR) with another score, finishing his redshirt freshman campaign with 1,302 all-purpose yards. Snead stood among the American Athletic Conference's top 10 in kickoff return average (19.2 ypr) and matched an ECU single-game record with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the USF tilt. - East Carolina Football

rSo/2022

WR Tyler Snead, East Carolina
News Source: East Carolina Football
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07/27/20 - Holton Ahlers, rSr/2023, East Carolina + More +

2020 WUERFFEL TROPHY PRESEASON WATCH LIST: Holton Ahlers, East Carolina, junior, quarterback,...In the classroom, Ahlers is a four-time ECU Director of Athletics Honor Roll and two-time AAC All-Academic selection majoring in communications. He has also volunteered his time in the community working with programs such as Aces for Autism, Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina, James & Connie Maynard Children's Hospital/Vidant Medical Center, Pirate Armada, Pitt County Trash Pick-up, Ronald McDonald House and the Special Olympics. - East Carolina Football

rSr/2023

QB Holton Ahlers, East Carolina
News Source: East Carolina Football
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07/24/20 - C.J. Johnson, rJr/2023, East Carolina + More +

2020 PRESEASON BILETNIKOFF AWARD WATCH LIST: C.J. Johnson, East Carolina,...Johnson, a 2019 Football Writers Association of America-Shaun Alexander Freshman All-America Team pick, set an ECU rookie record with a team-leading 908 reception yards, while also topping the unit with a 16.8 yards-per-catch average, a 75.7 yards-per-game clip and four 100-yard receiving outings. His reception (54) and touchdown catch (four) totals stood second among all Pirate receivers. - East Carolina Football

rJr/2023

WR C.J. Johnson, East Carolina
News Source: East Carolina Football
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07/23/20 - Jake Verity, rSr/2021, East Carolina + More +

2020 PRESEASON LOU GROZA COLLEGIATE PLACE-KICKER AWARD WATCH LIST: Jake Verity, East Carolina,...A 2019 Groza semifinalist, Verity is the national leader in career field goals with 60. That mark is also, like nearly all his stats, an East Carolina record. His 24 field goals are the most by a Pirate kicker in one season. Among active FBS kickers, his 35 career field goals from at least 30 yards out and 18 from at least 40 yards are each tied for 2nd in the nation. - Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award

rSr/2021

K Jake Verity, East Carolina
News Source: Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award
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07/15/20 - Holton Ahlers, rSr/2023, East Carolina + More +

After a slow start to the season, Ahlers was able to turn things around in the second half, creating a lethal passing game. Notable games include Nov. 2, against No. 17 Cincinnati, where Ahlers threw for 535 yards and four passing touchdowns. The Pirates fell to the Bearcats 46-43 but Ahlers kept the Pirates in it until the end with his work through the air. ECU went up against No. 25 SMU on Nov 23, and Ahlers threw for 498 yards and an outstanding six touchdowns with zero interceptions. The Pirates lost to the Mustangs 59-51 but once again Ahlers dominated the game on the offensive side.

Ahlers works as a dual threat quarterback being able to move the ball through the air and on the ground as the ball carrier. The 6'3" and 235 pound Ahlers uses his size to give him an effective ground game by nearly matching the size of opposing linebackers. Last season Ahlers ran for 359 yards and scored six touchdowns. For the ECU offense to thrive, Ahlers must start the season strong. If he can attack the opposing defense in the air with the success he had in the second half of last year, ECU will have more success. Success will also come if Ahlers can continue his strong run game. With football changing, many dual threat quarterbacks are finding success and Ahlers can be one of them. - The East Carolinian

rSr/2023

QB Holton Ahlers, East Carolina
News Source: The East Carolinian
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06/06/20 - Ryan Jones, rSr/2023, East Carolina + More +

Charlotte native and former Oklahoma linebacker Ryan Jones posted Friday on Twitter that he is transferring to East Carolina, and it is reportedly to play offense for the Pirates in a pass-catching role. He is the latest player to public commit to the Pirates as a transfer, joining a list that already included former Arkansas running back Chase Hayden, cornerback Nigel Knott (Alabama), Appalachian State veteran defensive lineman Chris Willis and others. Jones went to powerhouse Mallard Creek High School and was ranked by ESPN as the No. 2 recruit in the state of North Carolina. He redshirted at Oklahoma and started three games for the Sooners in 2018. Listed last year as a 6-foot-2, 231-pound sophomore, he played in seven games with nine tackles and his only career interception against UCLA. He entered the transfer portal in mid-January. - The East Carolinian

rSr/2023

FB Ryan Jones, East Carolina
News Source: The East Carolinian
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05/18/20 - Holton Ahlers, rSr/2023, East Carolina + More +

East Carolina, which followed UCF moving from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference, is cutting at least one sport due to coronavirus pandemic budget issues. The Pirates are looking to trim at least one of 20 sports to offset at $10 million budget deficit, the Charlotte Observer reported that the school's interim chancellor and athletics director announced during a special board meeting Monday. The minimum number of NCAA sports allowed to compete at the Football Bowl Subdivision level is 16. The Pirates could cut up to four while still complying with NCAA rules.

UCF, meanwhile, supports 16 sports and athletics director Danny White has said the school has no plans to cut any of them even if the NCAA approves a waiver to allow it. East Carolina, meanwhile, does not see any other option moving forward. "The financial model is not sustainable," East Carolina interim chancellor Ron Mitchelson said, according to the Observer. East Carolina entered the pandemic on different footing than UCF, with the Pirates struggling financially and the Knights in the midst of a fundraising boom fueled by its success in football and many other sports. While the Pirates will cut at least one sport, they plan to keep competing in the AAC. - Orlando Sentinel

rSr/2023

QB Holton Ahlers, East Carolina
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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05/17/20 - Chris Willis, rSr/2022, East Carolina + More +

Recruiting this offseason for East Carolina University football has proven to be strong as the Pirates have welcomed multiple promising transfers in an effort to improve for the 2020 season. After going 4-8 in the 2019 season, head coach Mike Houston and the Pirates are gearing up for a stronger outing with the addition of a handful of power five conference transfers. Former Appalachian State University defensive end Chris Willis announced his transfer to East Carolina on Saturday night after having spent four seasons as a member of the mountaineer football team. Willis is the first in a long line of transfers the Pirates will be receiving from other programs this upcoming season.

Willis redshirted in 2016, but played in 12 games in 2017 where he racked up 15 tackles and his first career sack. In 2018, Willis saw the field in 13 games and started the last six of the season. Over the course of the 2018 season, Willis made 24 total tackles, three sacks and a single fumble recovery. Unfortunately, Willis did suffer an injury in 2019 that left him on the sideline and unable to play. Willis will come to ECU with one year of eligibility remaining. - The East Carolinian

rSr/2022

DE Chris Willis, East Carolina
News Source: The East Carolinian
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05/15/20 - Kendall Futrell, Sr/2020, East Carolina + More +

Kendall Futrell spent most of his East Carolina football career studying an actual physical playbook and having to physically be in the Ward Sports Medicine Building to watch game film. He entered the National Football League a few weeks ago as a Cincinnati Bengals rookie not only in a typical high-tech environment, but one that was amped up even more into a completely virtual professional lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bengals held a full-team Zoom meeting on Monday. Futrell soaked in that experience and everything else that has followed this week while living in Greenville. "It's all on the iPad, so I'm able to watch film and see the playbook and pretty much do everything I need," said Futrell, a 6-foot-2, 226-pound pass rusher projected as an outside linebacker at the pro level, who was signed by Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent the same night the NFL draft was completed on April 25.

"That has been really cool, because it's my first time with that type of thing. At ECU, we had paper playbooks and you actually had to come in the building to watch film until like last year. It's definitely cool to have everything on an iPad right there when you need it." The entire experience already has been unique for Futrell, who also graduated from South Central High School in 2016 and made one start as a freshman for the Pirates that same year. "It's definitely different and kind of hard to explain," he said. "It definitely feels real, but it just doesn't feel all the way real yet. I'm ready to get up there physically and start practicing and really meeting people face-to-face and that kind of thing. That's when I'll feel like it's 100 percent real." - Daily Reflector

Sr/2020

OLB Kendall Futrell, East Carolina
News Source: Daily Reflector
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05/12/20 - Chris Johnson, Sr/2008, East Carolina + More +

Former ECU and National Football League standout running back Chris Johnson posted Saturday on social media platforms that he completed his degree requirements and is part of the ECU 2020 graduating class. A virtual commencement ceremony was held Friday morning for graduates to watch. ECU officials confirmed Monday that Johnson graduated. Johnson, 34, played for the Pirates from 2004-07, emerging primarily as a senior in leading ECU to an 8-5 record in 2007 capped by a 41-38 Hawaii Bowl win over Boise State. The speedy Orlando, Fla., native led the nation in all-purpose yards that season (227.7 yards per game) before being selected 24th overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2008 NFL draft. He had 408 all-purpose yards against Boise State in his final collegiate game. He was inducted into the ECU hall of fame in 2018. He majored in communication as a student-athlete from 2004-07. - Daily Reflector

Sr/2008

RB Chris Johnson, East Carolina
News Source: Daily Reflector
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05/02/20 - Jordan Williams, Sr/2018, East Carolina + More +

Former East Carolina linebacker Jordan Williams, who completed his Pirate career in 2017, was selected by the B.C. Lions as the No. 1 overall pick in the Canadian Football League draft late Thursday night. Williams became ECU's highest professional football draft choice ever. Robert Jones (Cowboys) and Chris Johnson (Titans) were each selected 24th overall in the 1992 and 2007 National Football League (NFL) Draft, respectively.

Williams, a Fayetteville native, ranked among East Carolina's top two tacklers in three straight seasons as a full-time starter, standing second in 2015 (81) under head coach Ruffin McNeill and first in 2016 (77) and second in 2017 (89) for Scottie Montgomery. Overall, he started 25 of 45 career contests and was credited with 252 stops (123 solo), 13.0 TFLs, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, three pass breakups and an interception. Williams also turned in 11 double-digit tackle performances and booked at least one hit in 40 outings. - Daily Reflector

Sr/2018

ILB Jordan Williams, East Carolina
News Source: Daily Reflector
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01/01/20 - Shaundre Mims, rSr/2023, East Carolina + More +

2019 ALL-BIG SOUTH FIRST TEAM (COACHES): DL - Shaundre Mims, R-Soph., Charleston Southern,...Mims continued the theme of dominant defensive linemen with the Buccaneers as the junior tackle led the conference with 10.0 sacks on the season. He posted nine sacks in Big South play, including 3.0 each against both Monmouth and Hampton. He finished sixth in the Big South in tackles for loss (12.0). - Charleston Southern Football

rSr/2023

DT Shaundre Mims, East Carolina
News Source: Charleston Southern Football
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12/28/19 - Justin Redd, rSr/2023, East Carolina + More +

2019 ALL-MEAC SECOND TEAM (COACHES): OL Justin Redd, r-So., Norfolk State,...Dominic Jordan and Justin Redd both provided strong interior line play for the Spartans. Jordan, who also served as the short-snapper for NSU's extra points and field goals, started 10 times at center as a senior in 2019 and served as the signal-caller for the unit. Redd, a redshirt sophomore, started all 11 contests at right guard and was named MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week following NSU's 649-yard day in the win at Howard. - Norfolk State Football

rSr/2023

OG Justin Redd, East Carolina
News Source: Norfolk State Football
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12/13/19 - Kendall Futrell, Sr/2020, East Carolina + More +

2019 ALL-AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM (COACHES): DL Kendall Futrell, ECU, Sr.,...Futrell, who garnered his first career all-conference honor, led the Pirates in four statistical categories that included total TFLs (16.0/-80 yards), sacks (11.0/-68 yards), quarterback hurries (11) and forced fumbles (three). One of two defensive captains, Futrell tallied 63 stops (37 solo), which included a career-high eight at NC State in the season opener, and registered a TFL in 10 of 12 contests. The Winterville, N.C. native stood among national leaders in sacks (12th), TFLs (21st) and forced fumbles (21st), while ranking third in The American in sacks and fourth in stops behind the line. - East Carolina Football

Sr/2020

OLB Kendall Futrell, East Carolina
News Source: East Carolina Football
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12/13/19 - Jake Verity, rSr/2021, East Carolina + More +

2019 ALL-AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM (COACHES): K Jake Verity, ECU, Jr.,...Verity earned his second career all-conference accolade after leading the league in field goals made (24), field goals made per game (2.00) and kick scoring (105), while standing third in total scoring and sixth in field goal percentage (82.8 percent). The Bremen, Ga. native is among national leaders total field goals made (t2nd), field goals made per game (2nd), total points (20th) and scoring per game (22nd/8.8 ppg).

A semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2019, Verity set ECU single-season (24) and career (60) records for field goals made, while moving into fourth place on the school's career list with 280 points. He made at least one field goal in all 12 contests (multiple seven times) and extended his current streak to 13 games with a field goal made (dating back to 2018) with his season-long 51-yarder against Tulsa. - East Carolina Football

rSr/2021