ECU football announces 17 mid-year signees

by | Jan 23, 2025

By ECUPirates.com

GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina Head Football Coach Blake Harrellofficially announced 17 mid-year signees who have signed with the Pirates pushing the final 2025 signing class to 38 members.

In addition to the 17 mid-year enrollees, 13 freshmen signees from the Dec. 4th signing period are on campus and will participate in spring practice, which begins the week of March 23. Those individuals are Kendric Davis, Chaston Ditta, Josiah Dwyer, Cole Hodge, Connor Hodge, Derrion Horsley, Kaleb Morrow, Peyton Reeder, Cayman Reynolds, Durante Speer, Jonathan Stokes, Jonathan Williams and Dylon Worthen.

Jonathan Akins, DB, 5-11, 177, So., Madison, Fla. (Maryland)
Mid-year transfer from Maryland who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 … Played in seven career games (1/2023, 6/2024) … Tallied four career tackles (three solo)2024 Maryland:Appeared in six games during redshirt freshman campaign … Booked two tackles (both solo) … Credited with solo stops against Virginia and Villanova … 2023 Maryland: Redshirted during initial year with the program … Lone appearance came against Auburn in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl … Credited with two stops (one solo) … High School: Two-way player at Madison County … Registered 73 tackles (52 solo) during three-year career … Credited with nine interceptions and 25 pass breakups … Caught 28 passes for 509 yards with three touchdowns … Helped team go 11-3 during 2021 season capturing the Sunshine State 1A title … Member of track team competing in the 100-meter with a top time of 10.48 seconds.

Justin Benton, DL, 6-1, 300, So., Atlanta, Ga. (Houston)
Mid-year transfer from Houston who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 … Played in five career games (4/2023, 12024) … Credited with four career tackles (three solo) with one TFL (-4 yards)2024 Houston:Appeared in one game, but did not record any statistics … 2023 Houston:Redshirted during initial year with the program playing in four games at nose tackle … Logged 50 snaps (47/defense, 3/special teams) … Tallied four stops (three solo) with a TFL (-4 yards) … Registered two stops against Kansas State (two solo) and Cincinnati (one solo) … High School: Helped Newton reach the Georgia 7A playoffs during senior season … Named Region Co-Defensive Player of the Year … Listed as a three-star prospect by 247Sports … Rated as the 61st-best defensive lineman and No. 49 overall player in Georgia by 247Sports … Spent junior year at IMG Academy … Named 2019 Rockdale Newton Citizen Freshman of the Year … Father, Phillip Benton, played linebacker at Georgia from 1992-95.

Kelondraus Crowell, DB, 5-11, 165, So., Lebanon, Tenn. (Indianapolis)
Mid-year transfer from Indianapolis who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 … Played in 12 career games – all during initial year with the program2024 Indianapolis:Appeared in 12 games making 51 tackles (40 solo) … Picked off five passes and credited with four pass breakups … GLVC co-leader in interceptions while topping the team’s non-linebackers in tackles … Earned First-Team All GLVC honors … Earned all-regions accolades at cornerback as a true freshman … Recovered one fumble vs. William Jewell … Booked at least one tackle in 11 of 12 contests (multiple 11 times) … Recorded career-best 10 tackles (all solo) against McKendree … Intercepted passes against Hillsdale, Saginaw Valley, William Jewell, Quincy and Southwest Baptist … Credited with pass breakups against Hillsdale, McKendree, Missouri S&T and Lincoln (Mo.) … High School: Played at Lebanon where he was voted Region 4-6A Special Teams Player of the Year … Recorded 1,067 all-purpose yards where he averaged 15.1 yards per reception and 8.7 yards per rush … Blocked three PATs as a special teamer … Recorded one interception and seven pass breakups … Named All-Midstate Large Class Third Team as a kick returner … Garnered MVP honors at the On Top Athletics All-Star Game … Personal: Full name is Kelondraus Marshawn Crowell, but prefers to go by Key … Son of Rodneisha Crowell … Older brother Anthony Crowell played wide receiver at UIndy 2023-24.

Kendrick DuJour, DL, 6-5, 225, Jr., Jonesboro, Ga. (Sam Houston)
Mid-year transfer from Sam Houston who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 … Earned letters at N.C. Central (2023) and Sam Houston (2024) … Tallied 44 career tackles (31 solo) in 19 career contests… Credited with 12.5 TFLs (-53 yards) which included 7.0 sacks (-40 yards) … Registered three pass breakups and one forced fumble …. Booked at least one tackle in 16 of 19 games (multiple 10 times) … Credited with a career-best six stops in a game three times … 2024 Sam Houston: Played in 10 games where he recorded 24 tackles (17 solo) … Credited with 4.5 TFLs (-18 yards) that included 3.0 sacks (-13 yards) … Forced one fumble against New Mexico State … Registered at least one stop in eight of 10 games (multiple five times) … Booked season-high six tackles twice (New Mexico State and Louisiana Tech) … Registered sacks against WKU (1.0/-8 yards) and LA Tech (2.0/-5 yards) … Also had TFLs versus Rice (1.0/-5 yards) and New Mexico State (0.5/0 yards) … Credited with QBHs against Rice and New Mexico State … Recorded a safety against LA Tech … 2023 N.C. Central: Appeared in nine games where he tallied 20 tackles (14 solo) … Registered 8.0 TFLs (-35 yards) which included 4.5 sacks (-27 yards) … Credited with three pass breakups and two quarterback hurries … Recorded at least one stop in eight of nine games (multiple five times) … Logged a season-best six tackles (five solo) against Mississippi Valley … Sacks were credited against N.C. A&T (1.0/-9 yards), Mississippi Valley (2.0/-10 yards) and Elon (1.5/-8 yads) … Additional TFLs were against N.C. A&T (1.0/-3 yards), Mississippi Valley (1.5/-4 yards) and Morgan State (1.0/-1 yard) … Credited with three pass breakups against Mississippi Valley … Registered QBHs against Winston-Salem State and South Carolina State … 2022: N.C. Central: Redshirted during initial year with the program … Member of team that claimed the HBCU National Championship … High School: Earned all-regional honorable mention accolades as a senior where he tallied 60 tackles, 18 QBHs, 12 TFLs and four sacks  at Mundy’s Mill… Credited with two pass breakups and one forced fumble … Offensively, caught four passes for 52 yards with a score as a tight end … Also lettered in basketball.

Parker Jenkins, RB, 5-11, 200, Jr., Houston, Texas (Houston)
Mid-year transfer from Houston who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 … Earned two letters at Houston (2023-24) … Played in 18 career games making nine starts (8/2023, 1/2024) … Rushed for 498 yards on 116 carries (4.3 ypr) with three scores … Caught 18 passes out of the backfield for 88 yards (4.9 ypc) … Returned eight kickoffs for 140 yards (11.7 avg) – all during freshman campaign in 20232024 Houston: Played in six games making one start … Rushed 17 times for 34 yards (5.7 ypr) ranking seventh on the team … Longest rush (13) and reception (6) of the season was 13 against UNLV … Caught three passes for seven yards … Week one starter against UNLV … One of 17 players with a reception … 2024 UH Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Representative … 2023 Houston:Appeared in all 12 games making eight starts … Lead team in rushing yards (464) and yards per game (38.7) … Rushed 99 times averaging 4.7 yards per touch … Scored three touchdowns all against Sam Houston … Caught 15 passes for 81 yards …Lone 100-yard rushing game came against Sam Houston (20 carries for 105 yards) – one of two Big 12 true freshman with 100-plus rushing and three rushing TDs in a game that season … First player in UH history to account for three scores in first career start … All three scores vs. Sam Houston came in the first half becoming the 15th player in program history to accomplish the feat … Ranked second on the team in total offense (456) … Rushed for 50 or more yards in a game five times … Tied true freshman record with three rushing scores … Returned eight kickoffs for 140 yards … Had career-long return of 47 yards against TCU … Tallied 307 yards after contact … Second among Big 12 true freshman running backs with 10-plus rushes (20) and stood fourth in missed tackles forced (27) … Named Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Week for his play against Sam Houston … Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention Offensive Newcomer of the Year … First-Team Fall Academic All-Big 12 Conference … High School: Played in 19 career games for Klein Forest rushing for 820 yards … Tallied a pair of 100-plus yard performances … In 2021, totaled over 700 yards (427 rush, 282 rcv) with five rushing touchdowns … Finalist for the Touchdown Club of Houston’s Offensive Player of the Year … Also ran track posing a 10.80 time in the 100-meter as a junior … Clocked a time of 21.86 in the 200-meters during sophomore campaign … Four-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … Listed as the 35th-best running back nationally and 84th-overall player in Texas by 247Sports.

Tyler Johnson, WR, 6-0, 183, So., Martinsville, Va. (Penn State)
Mid-year transfer from Penn State who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 … Earned first collegiate letter in 2024 … Played in 11 career games (1/2022, 10/2024), but did not record any statistics2024 Penn State: Played in 10 games as a member of offensive unit and various special teams units … 2023 Penn State: Did not see any game action in redshirt freshman season … Named the coaching staff’s Developmental Squad Offensive Player of the Week (Michigan State, Nov. 26) … 2022 Penn State: Appeared in one game during initial year with the program – did not record any stats … Developmental Squad Player of the Week (Maryland, Nov. 12) … High School: Played at Magna Vista High School for head coach Joe Favero … Two-time team captain and two-time team MVP for Warriors … Earned first-team all-district honors twice … Two-time, first-team all-region honoree … Hauled in 40 receptions for 1,278 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior … Caught 36 passes for 915 yards and 13 scores during junior campaign  … Tallied 32 grabs for 849 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore … Made 23 receptions for 545 yards and four scores during freshman year … Rated as a four-star prospect by ESPN and a three-star prospect by 247Sports, On3 and Rivals … Tabbed the No. 87 wide receiver overall and the No. 16 player in Virginia by 247Sports … Rated the No. 83 wide receiver and the No. 15 player in Virginia by On3 … Ranked the No. 99 wide receiver and No. 19 recruit in Virginia by Rivals … Graded the No. 52 wide receiver, No. 38 player in the region and No. 12 player in Virginia by ESPN … Also lettered in basketball as a point guard … Personal: Full name is Tyler Spencer Johnson, but prefers to go by Ty … Son of Deirdre and Wayne Johnson … Cousin, Traveon Redd, was a defensive back at Wake Forest.

DeJuan Lacy, RB, 5-9, 200, So., Fort Worth, Texas (Garden City CC)
Mid-year transfer from Garden City Community College who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 … Earned first collegiate letter during lone season at Garden City … Played in 12 career games (1/2023, 11/2024) … Rushed for 1,117 yards on 164 carries with 14 touchdowns … Caught nine passes for 152 yards (16.9 ypc) with a pair of scores … 2024 Garden City:NJCAA Honorable Mention All-America selection after rushing for 1,119 yards on 163 carries (6.9 ypr) with 14 touchdowns … Recorded seven career 100-plus rushing games with a career-best 193 against Iowa Central CC … Hauled down nine passes for 152 yards with two touchdowns … Had five kick returns for 84 yards (16.8 avg.) … In all, tallied 1,355 all-purpose yards with 16 scores and a two-point conversion … Ran for 100 or more yards in a game against Coffeyville CC (126 yards), Ellsworth CC (122), Community Christian (126), Independence CC (115), Butler CC (115), Highland CC (133) and Iowa Central CC (193) … Rushed for at least one score in seven of 11 contests (multiple five times) … Ran for a career-best three scores in a game on two occasions (Community Christian and Highland CC) … Caught a personal-best three passes against Coffeyville CC and Ellsworth CC … Hauled in receiving scores against Ellsworth CC and Butler CC … Career-long reception of 54 yards was against Butler CC … Career-long run of 64 yards was at Community Christian … High School: Played in 31 career games at North Crowley … Tallied 3,941 career total yards  for an average of 127.1 per contest … Tallied 3,581 yards on the ground in 572 carries (6.3 ypr) with 30 touchdowns … Hauled down 26 passes for 357 yards (13.7 ypc) with three additional scores … Completed lone pass attempts for three yards … Ran for 100 or more yards in a game 20 times in his career (200-plus on five occasions) … As a senior, ran for 1,707 yards on 263 carries (6.5 ypr) with 15 scores … Caught six passes for 71 yards … During junior campaign, rushed 127 times for 739 yards (5.8 ypr) with seven touchdowns and hauled down 10 passes for 224 yards and three additional scores … During sophomore season, rushed for 1,135 yards on 182 carries (6.2 ypr) with eight touchdowns while catching 10 passes for 62 yards.

Kyle Long, OL, 6-6, 328, Sr., St. Louis, Mo. (Maryland)
Mid-year transfer from Maryland who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 …Earned two letters for the Terrapins (2023-24) … Played in 20 career games making six starts in 20232024 Maryland: Played in six games making no starts … Blocked for the top passing offense in the Big Ten (289.6 ypg) … Helped the Terrapins tally six games with 400-plus yards of total offense including a season-high 629 against UConn … Offensive unit ranked 17th in FBS with 275.7 passing yards per contest … 2023 Maryland:Started six of 13 games played … Part of an offensive line unit that blocked for the fourth-ranked offense in the Big Ten (387.3 ypg) and the top-ranked passing offensive (278.9) in the league … Helped unit with five gamed of 400-plus yards of total offense with a season-high 530 against Charlotte … Blocked for rushing game that tallied 100 or more ground yards in 11 of 13 contest with a season-best 243 versus the 49ers … Team ranked among FBS leaders in fourth down conversion percentage (12th/68.4) and passing offense (21st/278.9) … 2022 Maryland:Did not participate in game action … 2021 Maryland: Played in one game during initial year with the program versus Howard … High School: Earned First-Team All-Suburban North Conference and First-Team All-District at Hazelwood Central as a junior.

Jordy Lowery, DB, 5-11, 190, Jr., Bartow, Fla. (Western Carolina)
Mid-year transfer from Western Carolina who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 … Earned two letters for the Catamounts (2023-24) … Garnered Associated Press (second team) and FCS Football Central (third team) All-America accolades in 2024 … Appeared in 23 career games (12 starts) making 51 stops (33 solo) … Registered 2.5 TFLs (-7 yards) … Picked off six passes for 133 yards with one touchdown … Credited with nine pass breakups … Recorded at least one tackle in 14 of 23 games (multiple 12 times) … 2024 Western Carolina: All-America performer that tallied 48 tackles (31 solo) with 2.5 TFLS (-7 yards) … Booked at least one tackle in all 12 contests (multiple 11 times) … Recorded season-high 10 stops against ETSU … Booked nine tackles (three solo) against nationally-ranked Montana … Picked off six passes for 133 yards and a score ranking third in the SoCon … Also stood third in pass breakups with eight in the league … Ranked second nationally with a 0.5 interception per game average … Intercepted passes against Campbell (24 yards), Montana (three), Chattanooga (14), ETSU (0) and two at Samford (92) that included his first career return for a score … Credited with TFLs against Montana (1.0/-1 yard), Wofford (1.0/-1 yard) and Chattanooga (0.5/-5 yards) … Registered two PBUs against Wofford, ETSU and Samford to go along with one versus Furman and Chattanooga … Scooped up a blocked field goal at N. 22 Elon and scampered 55 yards for a score … His 92-yard INT return for a score was the second-longest in program history and fifth-longest in the NCAA FCS during the season … 2023 Western Carolina:Played in all 11 contests in a reserve role on defense and on special teams … Registered three total tackles (two solo) … Made collegiate debut in season-opener at Arkansas … First Career tackled came against Charleston Southern (solo) … Posted then a career-best two tackles against ETSU (one solo) … Credited with first career pass breakup versus ETSU … 2022 Western Carolina: Redshirted during initial year with the program – did not see any game action … High School: According to MaxPreps, recorded 63 tackles (29 solo) over the last two seasons at Bartow … Picked off seven passes including five during his senior campaign … Accounted for 551 all-purpose yards including 308 rushing with a touchdown and 107 receiving as a senior … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … Also played basketball as a prep where he was an all-county honorable mention as a sophomore and played on the state championship team in 2019 … Personal: Son of Darrlyn Hazelton … Has three siblings: Jakari, Darrasia, and Janae.

Payton Mangrum, WR, 5-11, 201, Gr., Greenville, S.C. (South Carolina)
Mid-year transfer from South Carolina who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 … Earned three collegiate letters (2021-23) … Played in 44 games over five seasons … Caught six passes for 106 yards with one touchdown … Originally walked on at South Carolina and was awarded the Jake Panus scholarship for the 2022 campaign … Burlsworth Trophy Nominee in 2022 and 2023 … Two-time Most Inspirational Walk-on (2022-23) … Three-time SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll selection … Named to the 2020-21 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll2024 South Carolina: Appeared in five games including the Citrus Bowl against Illinois … Caught three passes for 27 yards during redshirt senior season (9.0 ypc) … Season-long reception came against Wofford … Also had receptions against Old Dominion (seven yards) and Akron (four yards) … 2023 South Carolina:Played in all 12 contests catching two passes for 31 yards  (15.5 ypc) … Hauled down receptions against North Carolina (12 yards) and Furman (19 yards) … 2022 South Carolina: Played in 13 games primarily as a member of special teams unit … Credited with two tackles … 2021 South Carolina: Served as a member of special teams unit in all 13 contests earning first varsity letter … Caught first career pass for a 44-yard touchdown against Tennessee on a fake punt during redshirt freshman campaign … 2020 South Carolina: True freshman walk-on wide receiver … Made collegiate debut in the season-finale at Kentucky – did not record any offensive stats … High School: Three-year starter at Eastside under head coach Andre Woolcock … Logged 209 career receptions for 3,247 yards and 43 touchdowns … Two-time 1,000-plus yard receiver … Caught 55 passes for 1,015 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior … Named First-Team 4A All-State in 2019 by the South Carolina football coaches … Helped the Eagles to an 8-3 record as a senior … Also competed in track & field.

Xavier McIver, DL, 6-3, 320, Sr., Cheraw, S.C. (UT-Martin)
Mid-year transfer from UT-Martin who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 … Earned four varsity letters (2020-21, 23/East Carolina; 2024/UT-Martin) … Played in 44 career games making three starts … Tallied 35 career tackles (seven solo) with 2.0 TFLs (-4 yards) … Recorded at least one tackle in 18 of 44 career contests (multiple nine times)2024 UT-Martin: Played in 13 of 14 contests all in a reserve role … Recorded 13 tackles (two solo) with 0.5 TFLs (-2 yards) … Credited with four quarterback hurries … Member of team that advanced to the NCAA FCS Quarterfinals … 2023 East Carolina:Appeared in nine games where he recorded three tackles (all assisted) with one quarterback hurry against Tulane … Tackles came against UTSA, Florida Atlantic and Tulsa … 2022 East Carolina: Appeared in one game (Navy) logging 29 total snaps (24 defense, 5 special teams) … Booked one tackle (assisted) against Navy … 2021 East Carolina: Started three of 12 games played (South Carolina, Marshall, Charleston Southern) … Registered 14 tackles (four solo) … Recorded career-high five stops (one solo) against South Carolina … Credited with half TFLs against South Carolina (0 yards) and Cincinnati (-1 yard) … Thirteen of 14 tackles came on rushing plays … Lone quarterback hurry was against Charleston Southern … 2020 East Carolina:Played in all nine games during first year in the program … Booked four tackles (one solo) … First career stop came against UCF (assisted) in his collegiate debut … Lone solo tackle came at Temple … Registered half TFL (-1 yar) at Georgia State in the first quarter … High School: A four-year letterman who helped Braves and coach Andy Poole to three playoff appearances during prep career … Credited with 73 tackles (40 solo), 8.0 TFLs, 3.0 sacks (-24 yards) and a pair of fumble recoveries in 12 games as a senior … Helped CHS to an 8-5 overall mark, which included a 34-12 first-round playoff victory over Manning … Booked a season-best 11 stops vs. Lake City and netted two sacks vs. Marlboro County … Named to the South Carolina High School League AAA All-State Defensive Team and USA TodayAll-South Carolina squad as a junior after producing 37 tackles (14 solo), 15.0 TFLs and nine sacks … Logged at least one hit in all 10 contests (four or more on six occasions) … Season-bests included seven tackles (vs, Loris) and four QB drops (vs. Marion) … Tallied 63 tackles (26 solo), 7.0 TFLs and five sacks during sophomore campaign in 2017 while guiding Braves to a 9-4 mark … Posted five-plus stops in eight of 12 games played, which included a high of nine vs. Lee Central … CHS knocked off Gray Collegiate Academy (28-18) and Blacksburg (40-6) in first two playoff tilts before falling to Abbeville (14-7) … Part of an 11-2 (6-0 region) Cheraw team as a freshman in 2016 … Registered 36 tackles, 3.0 TFLs and one fumble recovery during first year on varsity roster … Contributed a season-best nine stops vs. North Central (and notched at least one hit in all 11 tilts played) … Helped Braves post pair of playoff wins (24-17 over Southside Christian, 63-31 over Fox Creek) … A three-star prospect who rated among the Top 90 defensive players nationally and among Top 25 players overall in state of South Carolina according to 247Sports.comand ESPN.com … Invited to represent South Carolina in the prestigious Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas on Dec. 21 at Wofford College … Also received offers from UCF, Charlotte, Georgia Southern, South Carolina, USF, Syracuse, Temple, Tulane, Wake Forest and West Virginia to name a few.

Triston O’Brien, LS, 6-3, 225, Sr., Jefferson, Ohio (Indiana State)
Mid-year transfer from Indiana State who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 … Earned lone varsity letter in 2024 … Played in 12 career games as the long snapper … Credited with one career tackle (solo)2024 Indiana State: Played in all 12 games for the Sycamores on punt, field goal and PATs … Snapped for all 74 punts that went for 2,946 yards (39.8 ypp) with four touchbacks and 22 inside the opponents 20-yard line … Also snapped on eight field goal attempts and 23 PATs … Hauled in a two-point conversion against Missouri State … Lone tackle (solo) came against Dayton … 2023 Cincinnati: Served as the backup long snapper – did not see game action.

Jaquaize Pettaway, WR, 6-0, 194, Jr., Houston, Texas (Oklahoma)
Mid-year transfer from Oklahoma who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 … Earned two letters (2023-24) … Played in 20 career games making one start … Caught 16 passes for 157 yards (9.8 ypc) … Rushed one time for 10 yards2024 Oklahoma: Played in 11 games making one start (vs. Texas) … Hauled down five passes for 87 yards (17.4 ypc) … Caught career-best three passes for 79 yards against Tennessee with a long of 46 yards … Had one reception against Auburn (two yards) and Texas (six yards) … 2023 Oklahoma: Appeared in nine games during initial year with the program … Caught 11 balls for 70 yards (6.4 ypc) … Rushed one time for 10 yards coming against Tulsa … Had a personal-best nine receptions for 56 yards against Arkansas State in the season opener, which was a school record by a true freshman in his first career game … Also had single receptions against Tulsa (five yards) and UCF (nine yards) … High School: A consensus four-star and Top 100 recruit at Langham Creek HS… Ranked as the No. 43 prospect in the country by ESPN, No. 53 by 247Sports, No. 71 by On3 and No. 76 by Rivals … Listed as the No. 8 wide receiver in the class by ESPN, No. 10 by 247 and No. 11 by On3 and Rivals … Rated as the No. 7 prospect in the state of Texas by ESPN, No. 8 by 247, No. 13 by On3 and No. 15 by Rivals … Compiled over 1,800 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns his sophomore through senior seasons … Named a 2022 Under Armour All-American … A 2021 Texas District 16-6A unanimous first-team selection as a junior… Named the 2020 Texas District 16-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore … Also exceled in track and field, posting three sub-10.50 100-meter times as a junior … Brother (Jayhvion Gipson) plays linebacker at New Mexico State … First name is pronounced JAH-kwez.

Rion Roseborough, DL, 6-2, 315, So., Greenville, N.C. (Towson)
Mid-year transfer from Towson who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 … Earned lone collegiate letter in 2023 … Played in 14 career games tallying nine tackles (two solo) … Credited with 1.0 TFL (-2 yards) … Registered three blocked kicks2024 Towson: Appeared in all 12 games in a reserve role … Logged nine tackles (two solo) during second year with the program … Tallied 1.0 TFL (-2 yards) recording half TFLs against N.C. A&T (0 yards) and Campbell (-2 yards) … Blocked a team-best three kicks on the year with two against Morgan State and one at Campbell … His two quarterback hurries came in home finale against N.C. A&T … Booked at least one tackle in seven of 12 contests (multiple twice) … 2023 Towson:Played in two games during initial year with the program where he earned a redshirt … Made collegiate debut against Albany … Also played against Rhode Island … High School:Competed at John Paul Catholic II … Played at running back, being the two-time Daily Reflector Boys’ Athlete of the Fall … Rushed for 2,501 yards in 2022 en route to the school’s third-straight state title game appearance and 11 victories … Averaged 8.1 yards per carry and 192.4 yards a game for 43 career touchdowns and a pair of 2,000-yard seasons … Also competed in track at shot put and discus.

Leivi Semaia, OL, 6-4, 340, Jr., Torrance, Calif. (El Camino College)
Mid-year transfer from El Camino College who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 … Earned a pair of varsity letters (2021, 2024)2024 El Camino: Played in 11 games helping the Warriors to a 7-4 record … Member of an offensive line unit that averaged 383.9 yards of total offense and 33.1 points per game … Blocked for a ground game that average 174.9 yards per contest … 2021 El Camino:Appeared in 11 games where the Warriors tallied 403 points (36.6 ppg) and 4,777 yards of total offense (434.3) … Offensively, they scored 49 touchdowns (22 passing, 27 rushing) … High School: Played for South from 2016-19 … As a senior, competed in 16 games where he logged 117 tackles (56 solo) … Credited with 6.0 TFLs which included 2.0 sacks … Registered two quarterback hurries while causing a pair of fumbles.

Cooper Trnavsky, OL, 6-5, 295, Sr., Spartanburg, S.C. (Newberry College)
Mid-year transfer from Newberry College who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 … Earned three varsity letters (2022-24) … Played in 29 career games for the Wolves … Member of team that won 26 games over four years … During three playing career, helped Newberry tally 10,444 yards of total offense (360.1 avg) that included 4,439 passing and 6,005 rushing … Wolves scored 95 touchdowns from 2022-242024 Newberry: Played in 10 games as a member of the offensive line … Helped the Wolves average 19.8 points per contest … Team tallied 3,002 yards of total offense (1,245 pass, 1,757 rush) scoring 24 touchdowns … 2023 Newberry: Appeared in 10 contests for the Wolves who averaged 19.8 points a game … Offensive racked up 3,334 yards of total offense (303.1 pg) with 27 scores … Blocked for a team that rushed for 2,031 yards and passed for 1,303 … 2022 Newberry: Experienced action in seven contests on the offensive line at right tackle … Member of the 2022 SAC Championship squad that posted a 9-2 record … Team averaged 31.8 points per game to go along with 4,108 yards of total offense (2,217 rush, 1,891 pass) and scored 44 touchdowns … 2021 Newberry:Redshirted during initial year of the program – did not experience game action … High School: Two-year starter at Dorman … Member of three regional championship teams … Also, three-year member of lacrosse team … Personal: Full name is Cooper William Trnavsky … Son of Jack and Hayden Trnavsky … SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll student with a 3.35 GPA in computer science.

Teagan Wilk, DB, 6-0, 190, Gr., Berwick, Pa. (Houston)
Mid-year transfer from Houston who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2025 … Earned four varsity letters at ECU (2020-23) … Appeared in 38 career games making 13 starts (2/’21, 7/’22, 4/’23) … Booked 100 stops (64 solo) to go along with 6.5 TFLs (-15 yards) and 0.5 sacks (-4 yards) … Registered at least one stop in 32 of 38 games (multiple 21 times) … Forced three fumbles (all in 2021) … Picked off two career passes returning them for a total of six yards …. Credited with eight pass breakups and one quarterback hurry2024 Houston: Appeared in three games after transferring from East Carolina … Booked one tackle (solo) coming against Rice … 2023 East Carolina: Started four games during fourth year with the program (at Michigan, Marshall, at Appalachian State, at Rice) before suffering season-ending injury … Booked total 10 tops (six solo) … Tallied season-high six tackles against Marshall (three solo) … Picked off second career pass at Rice (no return) … Credited with two pass breakups (Michigan and Marshall) … Registered multiple tackles in a game twice (6/Marshall, 2/Rice) … 2022 East Carolina: Played in 13 games making seven starts … Logged 520 total snaps (472 defense, 48 special teams) … Stood fifth on the team with 55 stops (36 solo) … Registered with 2.5 TFLs (-3 yards) … Credited with five pass breakups which was tied for second on the squad … Recorded a career-high with 10 tackles against Temple (four solo) and BYU (six) … Booked at least one tackle 11 of 13 contests (multiple nine times) … Also added nine-tackle performances against NC State and Campbell … Credited with TFLs against NC State (1.0/-1 yard), Campbell (1.0/-1 yard), BYU (0.5/-1 yard) … Recorded pass breakups against NC State (2), Campbell (1), Cincinnati (1), Temple (1) … 2021 East Carolina:Appeared in 11 games making a pair of starts (Temple, Memphis) … Tallied 24 stops (16 solo) … Credited with 2.5 TFLs (-8 yards) and a half sack (-4 yards) … Booked at least one tackle in 10 of 11 games (multiple six times) … Tallied career-best five stops (four solo) against South Florida … Forced three fumbles on the season to lead the team (Marshall, Houston, South Florida) … Credited with a pass breakup against Temple and a quarterback hurry versus Tulane … First career interception came against South Florida (6-yard return) … 2020 East Carolina: Played in seven of nine ECU games during the pandemic-shortened season … Made collegiate debut at Georgia State registering one stop (assisted) … Recorded 10 stops (five solo) with 1.5 TFLs (-4 yards) … Tallied at least one stop in six of seven games (multiple three times) … Booked career-best three tackles (one solo) with a half TFL (-3 yards) at Tulane … Credited with first career TFL (-1 yard) at USF … Nine of 10 tackles have come on rushing plays in 2020 … High School: A three-time all-state selection as a prep standout for the Bulldogs … Netted 17 career interceptions at Berwick Area High School (22 overall, including five as a freshman at Southern Columbia Area High School) … Key member of Frank Sheptock’s program that rolled to a 9-3 mark (3-1 conference) in 2019 … Played on both sides of the ball as a senior free safety and wide receiver … Defensively, Berwick allowed just 139 points in 12 contests (11.6 ppg) … Picked off seven passes, one of which was returned for a touchdown, as a junior to help Bulldogs to a 9-3 ledger and a defensive scoring average of 11.7 points per outing) … Offensively, had 23 receptions for 214 yards and 2 TDs, and added 197 rushing yards and five ground scores … Topped the Wyoming Valley Conference (WVC) with seven interceptions as a sophomore during first full season in Berwick’s program … Contributed to the Bulldogs’ 10-3 campaign in 2017 as a split end on offense, a free safety on defense and as a returner on special teams (scored on a punt return) … Also returned two interceptions for touchdowns during Berwick’s season that was capped by a PIAA (Class 4A) playoff appearance … Two-way performer for coach James Roth at Southern Columbia Area High School as a freshman … Helped Tigers post a 15-1 overall record (5-0 conference), which included a deep Class 2A postseason run against South Williamsport (W/49-21), Schuylkill Haven (W/20-5), Ligonier Valley (W/31-27) and Steel Valley (L/49-7) … Defensively, stood second on unit with 115 tackles (46 solo) and added 4.0 TFLs while playing in all 16 contests … Booked 10 or more stops in four games – 18 vs. Schuykill Haven, 13 vs. South Williamsport, 11 vs. Mount Carmel and 10 vs. Hughesville – and had at least three hits in all 16 outings … Also credited with a half sack, netted five interceptions (one touchdown return), nine pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one recovery …  Offensively, had three carries for 10 yards, while on special teams, returned two kickoffs for 38 yards … A three-star prospect according to 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com … Stood among the Top 25 (overall) recruits in the state of Pennsylvania per all three recruiting outlets (highest was No. 8 by Rivals.com) … Reportedly had 25-plus offers, which included Air Force, Army, Iowa State and Old Dominion, and was also recruited by Michigan State and Syracuse among others before choosing ECU … Personal: Father Aaron also transferred into Coach Sheptock’s Berwick Area High School program (from Shamokin High School in 1991) … Sister attended ECU and two aunts reside in the Raleigh-Durham area … Earned undergraduate degree in business management from East Carolina (spring 2023) … Committed to East Carolina on June 21, 2019 … Early enrollee in January of 2020 … Two-time AAC All-Academic Team selection (2020, 2023).

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