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 Draft Scout College Football Player News: East Carolina
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  OCT 4 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HONOR ROLL: Keaton Mitchell, Fr., RB, East Carolina,...Rushed for a career-high 222 yards and two touchdowns in a 52-29 win against Tulane. Registered his third consecutive 100-yard game and averaged 14.8 yards per carry. - American Athletic Conference Football

rSo/2023 RB *Keaton MitchellEast Carolina
News Source: American Athletic Conference Football
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  Keaton Mitchell rushed for a career-high 222 yards and two touchdowns, Holton Ahlers threw for 288 yards and a pair of touchdowns and East Carolina defeated Tulane 52-29 on Saturday. Mitchell took a handoff 68 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown and also had a 62-yard gain from scrimmage on his first carry of the game. He carried the ball 15 times, averaging 14.8 yards per carry for East Carolina (3-2, 1-0 American Athletic Conference). Mitchell had performances of 125 and 135 yards in the Pirates previous two games and had gone over 100 yards twice in 2020.

The Green Wave (1-4, 0-1) came from 24-0 down with a flurry of points to get within eight, 31-23, late in the third after a Cameron Carroll touchdown and Michael Pratt ran for the two-point conversion, crashing through a defender at the goal line. Pratt was 22 of 36 passing for 268 yards but threw three interceptions. Carroll gained 80 yards rushing on nine carries. Pratt scored two rushing touchdowns. Tyler Snead had four catches for 78 yards for East Carolina, contributing to the big-play offense with a 53-yard touchdown reception. - East Carolina/AP College Football


rSo/2023 RB *Keaton MitchellEast Carolina
News Source: East Carolina/AP College Football
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  SEPT 27 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HONOR ROLL: Ja'Quan McMillian, So., CB, East Carolina,...Had 10 tackles, tying his career high, and had a 23-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 31-28 win against Charleston Southern. - American Athletic Conference Football

rSo/2022 CB *JaQuan McMillianEast Carolina
News Source: American Athletic Conference Football
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  Keaton Mitchell broke loose for a 74-yard touchdown run to spark a 24-point second quarter, and East Carolina held on to beat Charleston Southern 31-28 on Saturday night. Freshman backup quarterback Mason Garcia entered for a play and ran for a 3-yard touchdown following Mitchell's score. Holton Ahlers added a 60-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Johnson to give East Carolina (2-2) a 24-14 lead with 2:31 left before halftime. Ja'Quan McMillian's 23-yard interception return for a touchdown stretched the Pirates' lead to 31-14 early in the third quarter.

But in the fourth quarter for Charleston Southern (1-2), Jack Chambers ran for an 8-yard touchdown, and then he added a 2-yard TD pass to Geoffrey Wall that capped the scoring with 1:50 to play. Mitchell carried the ball 13 times for 125 yards. Ahlers was 17-of-26 passing for 238 yards but also threw two interceptions. Malik Fleming blocked a field goal attempt with 4:03 remaining for the Pirates. Chambers completed 38 of 61 passes for 406 yards. He also threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Kale Anderson in the first quarter. - East Carolina/AP College Football


rSo/2023 RB *Keaton MitchellEast Carolina
News Source: East Carolina/AP College Football
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  SEPT 20 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HONOR ROLL: Holton Ahlers, Sr., QB, East Carolina,...Completed 30 of 47 passes for 368 yards and two TDs in a 42-38 win at previously unbeaten Marshall. - American Athletic Conference Football

rSr/2023 QB Holton AhlersEast Carolina
News Source: American Athletic Conference Football
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  Holton Ahlers had touchdowns passing, rushing and receiving and Ja'Quan McMillian intercepted a pass at the goal line with six seconds left and East Carolina rallied to defeat Marshall 42-38 on Saturday night. Down 38-21 entering the fourth quarter, Ahlers scored on a 5-yard run after a 78-yard drive, then capped an 80-yard drive when he hauled in a 27-yard pass from wide receiver Tyler Snead on a trick play, making it 38-35 with 2:31 left.

The Pirates (1-2) recovered the onside kick and Rahjai Harris scored on a 1-yard plunge with 55 seconds left to cap a 53-yard drive. Ahlers was 30 of 48 passing for 368 yards and two touchdowns. Rasheen Ali rushed 24 times for 189 yards and three touchdowns and Grant Wells was 24 of 39 for 433 yards with a touchdown, adding another on the ground for Marshall (2-1). Corey Gammage had eight receptions for 180 yards. Marshall piled up 647 yards but were outgained 210-101 in the final stanza before the final drive had them at first-and-10 from the 15 with 11 seconds left. East Carolina had 571 yards of offense with Keathon Mitchell picking up 135 on 13 carries with a touchdown. Shane Calhoun had 114 yards on eight catches. - East Carolina/AP College Football


rSr/2023 QB Holton AhlersEast Carolina
News Source: East Carolina/AP College Football
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  Winston Wright has always been on top of the speed game. The blazing Mountaineer receiver came to campus with a reputation for making tracks, and he showed his ability to run past opponents early in his West Virginia career, taking a kickoff 95 yards for a score at Baylor in his freshman season of 2019, and splitting the Oklahoma State defense for a 70-yard catch and run last season for another TD. Still, like many members of WVU's receiving corps, inconsistency in catching the ball has left potential yards on the field, rather than in his stat line or on the books for the offense.

Wright doesn't shy away from that critique and understands that even with some of the veterans that populate the receiving room, it's his time to take the next steps in becoming a complete receiver, even though he led the Mountaineers a year ago with 47 catches for 553 yards. "It's time for me to lead now," the confident Savannah, Georgia native said. "We have a unique group, and I need to speak up, and show how to work." In addition to drilling on consistently securing catches, the smallish Wright (generously listed at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds) has put in time adding a bit more strength. "The coaches wanted me to gain a few pounds but still keep my speed," the second-team All-Big 12 selection said of one of his offseason goals. "That will allow me to block on the perimeter better. It's all about leverage, and who wants it. I need to get better as a complete wide receiver, with my route running and my blocking. It's not just my speed. I have to do the little things that are going to separate me." - Charleston Gazette-Mail


rSr/2025 WR Winston Wright Jr.East Carolina
News Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail
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  Despite the fact that he led the Mountaineers in receptions last season, Winston Wright has been doing all he can to be even better this time around. He's done plenty of technical work this offseason to become a better receiver and he also made a change to provide a little extra mojo. "I switched to No. 1," stated the 5-foot-10, 180-pound sophomore, who has taken over the number worn the past few years by T.J. Simmons, who has since graduated. "There wasn't any big reason for the change. I just wanted a new start in year three. I felt like it's going to be a big year for us, so the number change would be unique."

Wearing No. 16 the past couple seasons, Wright got off to a heck of a start for his college career. The slot receiver had 19 catches for 97 yards as a true freshman in 2019, playing in 10 of WVU's 12 games. Then, in his second season, he exploded with a team-high 47 receptions for 553 yards and two touchdowns. His performance in 2020 earned him second-team all-Big 12 recognition. But he thinks he's capable of even more. "I've tried to get better all the way around," explained Wright, who wore No. 4 in high school. "I put on some muscle (going from 180 to 185), and I've been studying the playbook way harder. It's year three for many of us, and we've put in more stuff (on offense), and everybody is more familiar with everything. I just want to be a leader all the way around." - Charleston Gazette-Mail


rSr/2025 WR Winston Wright Jr.East Carolina
News Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail
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  Former North Carolina starting defensive back D.J. Ford signed with East Carolina in December to be an impact player for the Pirates, who in return, have gladly seen him emerge as a physical and mental leader already on defense. In addition to Ford's 6-foot-3 and 208-pound frame, the safety and graduate student uses his mind and past playing experience - he was part of two bowl appearances at UNC and played in 33 total games with nine starts - in helping younger Pirates during practices with any guidance or tips he might be able to provide. "Something I pride myself on is being able to help the team in any way I can," Ford said. "I feel like the more I can help the young guys, the more I can help myself and help this team take a step forward. Things happen and sometimes when the young guys get thrown out there, they need to be ready at all times. I do my part to make sure they are ready."

Ford opted out prior to last season, which essentially opened his path to transfer to another school for his final year of eligibility. "My motivation level is definitely high," he said. "I put a lot on myself. I feel like I have a lot to prove to myself, as well as other people, and that being the people on this team, my family, my people back home. I just want to make everyone proud." The Ashland, Ala., native is a serious candidate to be a starting safety for ECU against Appalachian State on Sept. 2 in Charlotte. - Daily Reflector


rSr/2022 SS D.J. FordEast Carolina
News Source: Daily Reflector
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  East Carolina junior quarterback Holton Ahlers was named to the 2021 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, according to an announcement by the organization Thursday. A 2021 preseason All-American Athletic Conference selection by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele's College Football Preview Magazine, Ahlers has already surpassed the 7,000-yard mark in passing in 30 career games. In three seasons with the Pirates, he has completed 556-of-974 passes for 7,093 yards and 51 touchdowns versus 22 interceptions.

Ahlers owns one 500-yard, four 400-yard and 10 300-yard passing outings and has thrown at least one TD pass in 21 of 30 games. He currently ranks fourth on ECU's career total yards (8,153) list, sixth in passing and seventh in completions. Last year, Ahlers threw for 1,921 yards (165-of-269) and 18 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He ranked 25th in the FBS in passing TDs, 26th in completions per game (20.6) and 30th in passing yards per game (240.1). - Daily Reflector


rSr/2023 QB Holton AhlersEast Carolina
News Source: Daily Reflector
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  East Carolina averaged more than 400 yards of total offense and 30 points a game, thanks to the success of quarterback Holton Ahlers, who returns for his fourth year as the starter for ECU. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound left-hander makes everything click for East Carolina and saw his passing efficiency numbers improve. There are also plenty of talented players for him to select in the passing attack, led by Tyler Snead (53 receptions) and C.J. Johnson (21 yards per reception, six TDs). Houston also used the transfer portal to his benefit to aid in the passing game. Running back Rahjai Harris leads the rushing attack and is arguably one of the team's top talents, but that is contingent on the offensive line - which returns all five starters, including offensive tackle Walter Stribling - improving in run-blocking schemes and also protecting Ahlers. - Charleston Gazette

rSr/2025 RB Rahjai HarrisEast Carolina
News Source: Charleston Gazette
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  Though the West Virginia receiving corps is a deep and largely balanced positional group, if one were to tab a true No. 1 receiver, at least in terms of production, it would be difficult to make an argument against Winston Wright. After leading the team in both receptions (47) and yards (553) last season, the junior slot/possession receiver entered the offseason and the spring with a newfound confidence in his place within the WVU attack. Wright drew rave reviews from coaches during the team's 15 spring practices, and his role as the room's alpha male was evident during the Gold-Blue Game as Wright made a team-high four catches and was clearly quarterback Jarret Doege's go-to option. But with that new role has come new responsibilities for Wright, both in terms of leadership and production. In a media conference after the Gold-Blue Game, Wright discussed both of those things.

"We've got a unique group," Wright said. "All of us our young, but we have some old guys in the room so really, just speaking up - just showing your work without speaking is good too. They follow. You lead." That work is and has been multifaceted since the 2020 season ended. Wright said one of his first concerns was in the weight room, where he attempted to bulk up. Now at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds on the latest WVU official roster, Wright said he's done just that. But his physical attributes are just tools for doing the job as a wide receiver. Wright said it was his goal to become a more complete player in that endeavor. "I felt like I needed to get better being a complete wide receiver," Wright said. "Not just my speed and stuff, just me blocking and doing the little things that's going to separate me. I feel like my coaches did a good job of explaining how to block and I'm getting it now, so I feel very comfortable within the game." - Charleston Gazette-Mail


rSr/2025 WR Winston Wright Jr.East Carolina
News Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail
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  West Virginia's offense struggled mightily in 2019, Brown's first season as WVU's head coach, finishing last in the Big 12 in scoring offense (20.6 points per game) and total offense (321.9 yards per game). The Mountaineer offense made some strides last year, improving to sixth in the league in total yards (412.6 per game) and to eighth in scoring (26.5 points per game). Now it will look to take another step or three. Those past offenses were youthful, but in 2021 there is considerably more experience on that side of the ball. WVU returns 16 offensive players who have started previously and another nine who have seen game action.

Sophomore slot receiver Winston Wright is one of those who was pressed into action early in his career, playing in 10 games and catching 19 passes for 97 yards as a true freshman in 2019. A year's experience under his belt helped the Savannah, Georgia, native vault to the top of West Virginia's receiving list last season, as he hauled in 47 receptions for 553 yards. "Last year I was a sophomore and the coaches put a little bit more on me," explained Wright, who had a game-high four catches in Saturday's Gold-Blue Scrimmage. "I thought that helped my confidence. Now I'm ready to lead." - Charleston Gazette-Mail


rSr/2025 WR Winston Wright Jr.East Carolina
News Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail
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  Ahlers' numbers went down in 2020, although that can be primarily attributed to a lower number of games on the schedule. He compiled 1,921 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air, while his ground numbers declined even further, as he totaled just 109 yards and one touchdown. Despite a sharp decline in statistics, there is one metric that says it might not all be on Ahlers. His completion percentage has gone up in each season, from 48% as a freshman, to 60% as a sophomore and 61% as a junior. Ahlers has a shot to make the most of the 2021 season. This will be his third year in Houston's offense, which means he has had plenty of time to learn the nuances of the scheme. 2020 would have typically been a make-or-break year for Ahlers as a junior, but COVID-19 has pushed that critical season back. - The East Carolinian

rSr/2023 QB Holton AhlersEast Carolina
News Source: The East Carolinian
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  First-year East Carolina football safety D.J. Ford is noticeable on the practice field with his 6-foot-3 and 215-pound frame, but intangibles might be just as important to his craft in his final year of collegiate eligibility. Pirate coach Mike Houston described the senior safety, who was a starter for North Carolina of the Atlantic Coast Conference during the 2018 and '19 seasons, as long and rangy first and foremost, but also a smart player. "The thing that has been so impressive to me is I spent a lot of time last week with that unit, and just his preparation in the meeting room taking detailed notes and asking really good questions," Houston said after Tuesday's practice in full pads. "He was really preparing himself, then taking that to the field. You can tell he's a savvy guy who has played a lot of snaps." Ford opted out of the 2020 season at UNC before signing with the Pirates last December as a graduate transfer. He was a standout immediately during ECU winter workouts and also has caught the eye of Houston and defensive coordinator Blake Harrell. - Daily Reflector

rSr/2022 SS D.J. FordEast Carolina
News Source: Daily Reflector
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