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 Draft Scout College Football Player News: East Carolina
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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

(DS#94 WR) rSr/2025 WR Winston Wright Jr., East Carolina
News Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail
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  08/16/21 - D.J. Ford, rSr/2022, East Carolina, 6-4, 206 (DS#104 SS) + More +

  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

(DS#104 SS) rSr/2022 SS D.J. Ford, East Carolina
News Source: Daily Reflector
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  08/01/21 - Holton Ahlers, rSr/2023, East Carolina, 6-3, 227 (DS#17 QB) + More +

  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

(DS#17 QB) rSr/2023 QB Holton Ahlers, East Carolina
News Source: Daily Reflector
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  07/10/21 - Rahjai Harris, rSr/2025, East Carolina, 5-10, 207 (DS#53 RB) + More +

  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

(DS#53 RB) rSr/2025 RB Rahjai Harris, East 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

(DS#94 WR) 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

(DS#94 WR) rSr/2025 WR Winston Wright Jr., East Carolina
News Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail
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  04/09/21 - Holton Ahlers, rSr/2023, East Carolina, 6-3, 227 (DS#17 QB) + More +

  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

(DS#17 QB) rSr/2023 QB Holton Ahlers, East Carolina
News Source: The East Carolinian
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  03/26/21 - D.J. Ford, rSr/2022, East Carolina, 6-4, 206 (DS#104 SS) + More +

  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

(DS#104 SS) rSr/2022 SS D.J. Ford, East Carolina
News Source: Daily Reflector
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  03/21/21 - Holton Ahlers, rSr/2023, East Carolina, 6-3, 227 (DS#17 QB) + More +

  Recent offseason workouts led by East Carolina football director of strength and conditioning John Williams impacted not only underclassmen looking to make their mark with the Pirates, but also starting quarterback Holton Ahlers. The fourth-year rising junior was one of the main players Houston mentioned as improving his body since the end of the 2020 season in late November. "He is in the best physical shape I've seen him," Houston said of Ahlers after Friday's first spring practice when asked about spring QB repetitions. "He's slimmed down some and really worked on his flexibility. He's more explosive and faster and noticeably improved his body and his athleticism since the fall. That is something with talks with Big John and (offensive coordinator) Donnie (Kirkpatrick) and Holton, this is what he needs to do. He has worked his tail off. "It's a great to have a veteran like that we all believe in. He is the leader of our team and leader of our offense, but you have four other guys who need reps. Holton will get his reps and get his work, but I think it's important we really develop those other guys." - Daily Reflector

(DS#17 QB) rSr/2023 QB Holton Ahlers, East Carolina
News Source: Daily Reflector
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  02/16/21 - Aaron Jarman, rSr/2023, East Carolina, 6-5, 264 (DS#999 TE) + More +

  Kinston native Aaron Jarman is the latest player slated to join the East Carolina football tight end room for this season. Jarman, who was in the transfer portal after spending the last three years at Temple, posted on Twitter on Monday night he committed to ECU. The post by the former North Lenoir High School standout included photos of him in ECU gear at tailgate lots as a youngster. Jarman was a three-star recruit at North Lenoir, choosing the Owls over Mercer and Appalachian State. He made one start as a freshman in 2019, versus UCF, and his lone reception last season as a 6-foot-6, 255-pound redshirt sophomore was a touchdown against SMU. - Daily Reflector

(DS#999 TE) rSr/2023 TE Aaron Jarman, East Carolina
News Source: Daily Reflector
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  2020 ALL-MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE THIRD TEAM (COACHES): Wide Receiver - Isaiah Winstead, Toledo,...Six members of the Toledo football team earned All-MAC selections, the league office announced. Winstead paced the Rockets with 25 receptions for 429 yards and three touchdowns. A transfer from Norfolk State, Winstead is fifth in the MAC averaging 17.2 yards per catch. - Toledo Football

(DS#173 WR) rSr/2023 WR Isaiah Winstead, East Carolina
News Source: Toledo Football
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  2020 ALL-BIG 12 CONFERENCE FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM: WR Winston Wright Jr., West Virginia,...Four Mountaineers earned league second-team honors, including receiver Winston Wright Jr., offensive lineman Mike Brown and true freshman lineman Akheem Mesidor and redshirt senior safety Alonzo Addae. Wright Jr. led WVU in receiving with 45 catches for 528 yards and two touchdowns. - West Virginia Football

(DS#94 WR) rSr/2025 WR Winston Wright Jr., East Carolina
News Source: West Virginia Football
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  2020 ALL-AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): LB Xavier Smith, East Carolina,...For the second-straight season, Smith was the top tackler on the team by booking 72 stops, an average of 8.0 per contest to stand fifth in The American. He also led the unit in TFLs (8.0/-30 yards) and pass breakups (six), while ranking second in sacks (2.5/-22 yards). The Stafford, Va. native closed out the season with six stops against SMU, which pushed his current streak to 21-straight games with multiple tackles. Against Navy, he logged a personal-best 15 tackles, marking the fourth time in his career with double-digit stops. - East Carolina Football

(DS#112 ILB) rSr/2023 ILB Xavier Smith, East Carolina
News Source: East Carolina Football
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  2020 ALL-AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM (COACHES): CB Ja'Quan McMillian, East Carolina,...McMillian, a two-year starter, picked off a team-best four passes while booking 33 tackles (27 solo) during his sophomore campaign. It marked the second-straight season he led the unit in picks (three in 2019) with his pass thefts against Georgia State, Tulane and his two in the fourth quarter during the Pirates' 52-38 win against SMU. The Winston-Salem, N.C. native booked multiple tackles in eight of nine games in 2020, which included a season-high five on three occasions. - East Carolina Football

(DS#31 CB) rSo/2022 CB *JaQuan McMillian, East Carolina
News Source: East Carolina Football
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  12/17/20 - Tyler Snead, rSo/2022, East Carolina, 5-07, 172 (DS#88 WR) + More +

  2020 ALL-AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM (COACHES): WR & RS Tyler Snead, East Carolina,...Snead, who earned all-conference honors as a receiver and return specialist, led the team in receptions (53), punt returns and yards (12 for 144), kickoff returns and yards (18 for 409) and all-purpose yards 1,145. He reached the endzone seven times on the year (5/rcv, 1/rush, 1/KOR) and threw for a score in the season finale against SMU. The Raleigh, N.C. native authored a pair of 100-yard receiving games (105/Georgia State, 108/Tulsa) and topped 100-plus all-purpose yards four times, including 231 at Georgia State and 244 at Temple. Snead's lone special teams touchdown came during the second quarter against the Owls when he returned his second career kickoff 95 yards earning him AAC Special Teams Player-of-the-Week accolades. - East Carolina Football

(DS#88 WR) rSo/2022 WR Tyler Snead, East Carolina
News Source: East Carolina Football
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