ECU football players Brandon Best and Preston Carr have been recognized by Sports Info Solutions with a preseason American Conference honor.
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Photo credit: (ECU Sports Information)
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – East Carolina offensive lineman Brandon Best and defensive lineman Preston Carr have been named Preseason First-Team All-American Conference by Sports Info Solutions, the organization announced late Wednesday evening. They are two of 14 Pirates that have earned preseason honors thus far in 2026.
Brandon Best (Career and 2025 Biographical Sketch)
Mid-year graduate transfer from Kennesaw State who, enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2026 … Three-year letterman (2/Georgia Tech, 1/Kennesaw State) … Played in 43 career games with one start … Earned undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech in May of 2025 … 2026 (East Carolina): Named Preseason All-American Conference by Phil Steele Magazine (first team), Sports Info Solutions (first team), Athlon Sports (second team) and Lindy’s Sports (second team) … Named to Shriner Children’s East-West Bowl 1000 Watch List … 2025 (Kennesaw State): Named First-Team All-Conference USA … Played in all 14 games in his lone season with the Owls … Helped Kennesaw State to a 10-4 overall record that included a 7-1 league ledger with a Conference USA championship and faced Western Michigan in the Myrtle Beach Bowl …The Owls offense stood among NCAA leaders (Top 60) in first down offense (24th/301), passing yards per completion (24th/13.09), team pass efficiency (41st/144.13), total offense (49th/402.4 ypg) and passing offense (51st/243.1 pypg) … Opened up rushing lanes for four 100-plus yard rushing performances … Helped the offensive unit registered nine games of 350 or more yards of total offense (7 with 400-plus, 2 with 500-plus) … Offense tallied a season-high 579 yards of total offense against Jacksonville State … Ten times the offense ran for 150 or more yards, while on nine occasions they passed for 200 or more yards (300-plus twice).
Preston Carr (Career and 2025 Biographical Sketch)
Earned first varsity letter in 2025 … Played in 15 career games making one start … Recorded 33 tackles (15 solo) … Registered 5.0 TFLs (-22 yards) including 2.0 sacks (-15 yards) … Credited with one fumble recovery … Booked at least one tackle in 13 of 15 games (multiple 10 times) … 2026: Named Preseason All-American Conference by Sport Info Solutions (first team) … 2025: Played in all 13 games with one start earning first varsity letter … Logged 318 snaps on defense … Recorded 31 tackles (14 solo) … Registered 5.0 TFLs (-22 yards) that included 2.0 sacks (-15 yards) … Credited with two quarterback hurries (Charlotte, UTSA) … Recovered one fumble (Campbell) … Tallied a career-high five tackles against Tulsa (three solo) … Had a four-game tackle outing against the Camels (one solo) … Recorded TFLs against NC State (1.0/-2 yards), Campbell (0.5/-4 yards), Coastal Carolina (0.5/-3 yards), Army (1.0/-1 yard), Tulsa (1.0/-8 yards), Temple (0.5/-1 yard) and Pittsburgh (0.5/-3 yards) … Registered sacks versus Campbell (0.5/-4 yards), Coastal Carolina (0.5/-3 yards) and Tulsa (1.0/-8 yards).
The Pirates will open the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5 when it travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala. to take on Alabama at Saban Field inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 12 noon (ET) and will be televised on ABC. Season ticket orders are currently on sale, with packages starting at just $75 for the six-game home slate at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium this fall. To purchase new season tickets, visit ECUPirates.com or contact the ECU Athletics Ticket Office at (252) 737-4500 during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.).