After coming off a bowl win against Pitt, Blake Harrell is looking beyond just a bowl game. He's looking to win the AAC and possibly be in contention for the G6 bid this season. With an OC from North Texas who was #1 in scoring and a DC from Memphis who ranked top #50 defensively in six categories, East Carolina Pirates football will be looking to keep playing in December.
The Quarterback Battle
Starting at QB becomes a battle between Emory Williams and Mitch Griffis. Both are good options for ECU, however I believe Griffis will win the starting job. His placement on throws is accurate, and one thing that separates him from Emory is his ability to improvise. Per PFF, when blitzed he posted a 92.2 offensive rating with a 15.7 YPA and 4 BTT in his time at Texas Tech last year.
A Crowded Running Back Room
Michael Allen (5.0 YPC), Ashton Gray (6.5 YPC), and TJ Engleman (5.1 YPC) round out an RB group that will be very interesting this year. Both Gray and Engleman carry a 3+ YCO/A while Allen falls at around 2.8. I am very high on Gray to soon be a starter for this team; he logged a 50.1 BAY% while Allen had a 31.8% and TJ had a 13.3%.
Wide Receivers Ready to Shine
The best position on this team will be the wide receivers. I gave both Brock Spalding and Landon Sides a B+ in which they could easily be in the A tiers. I believe both are great at eating the cushion of the DBs and using minimal steps in their breaks. Both have 33+ receptions and 2 drops with 440+ receiving yards. If Ray Ray Joseph, a former 4-star from Miami, can produce as well, this might be one of the best receiving cores in all of college football. Mark my words.
Offensive Line Continuity
Hayes Creel (21 PR, 3 sacks), Ethan Kramer (11 PR, 3 sacks), and Brandon Best (9 PR, 1 sack) come in to try and help ECU repeat its #T-18 sacks allowed mark from last season.
Best showed out vs. Indiana with 0 pressures and 0 sacks. I think moving him to center was the best move, as he is a bit slow in run blocking and as a pulling guard. Creel at RT was a disappointing watch vs. Miss State; he needs to clean up his technique with his 6-foot-7, 330-pound frame.
They return Bryce Weaver, who only allowed 5 pressures and 1 sack in 199 snaps last season. Marleo Neolien, a RS JR, is looking at his first starting snaps this season after logging only 42 snaps last year for the Pirates. I think this group can be solid enough to post the same numbers as last year.
A Solid Defensive Line
I think this D-line group will be very solid. Jasiyah Robinson, Preston Carr, Rion Roseborough, and Kieran Davis all return from last year for ECU. Jasiyah led the team with 7 sacks, while the other three ended with 3 sacks and 8+ pressures each. Can the Pirates get anything out of Kendrick Dejour? Only three sacks and three hurries in 82 snaps seems promising for the 6'5", 223-pound 5th-year player.
Linebackers Looking for Answers
Moving to the linebacker group, where I think they will need guys to step up. Outside of DJ Johnson (530 snaps last year, 60 tackles), who I thought was okay (I gave him a C grade), you have two guys in Crew Law and Jackson Barker with less than 200 snaps last year. I gave Crew a C grade as well. If there is anyone to make this group shine, it is Jordan Hankins, whose Memphis team allowed a #28th best EPA/Rush defense.
A Talented but Untested Secondary
Finally, the secondary, where I think this group will be good. Christian Peterson from UCF in his limited reps looks very athletic, and I think will be a very aggressive nickel.
Jaylen Bowden will be on his third team after starting at NC Central, moving to Minnesota, and landing at ECU. At Central, he posted a 43.6 NFL rating against and only allowed 198 yards in 300 coverage snaps. Watching him at Minnesota in his limited reps vs. OSU/NWST, I think he will thrive being a lengthy, patient DB who stays square.
At safety, you have App State transfer Zyeir Gamble (76 tackles) and returner Ayden Duncanson. I gave Zyeir a C+ and Ayden a D+/C-. However, I believe Kamarri McKinley will be starting very soon, replacing Ayden. Watching the Pitt vs. ECU game, he is a better tackler, more instinctive, and a better coverage guy than Ayden is. I gave Kamarri a B grade.
Schedule Gauntlet and Final Prediction
The Pirates have a very manageable schedule as well, with the 99th hardest Strength of Schedule (SOS) for 2026. After the Alabama game, I see them being 5-1 before they take on the Memphis Tigers. I believe they beat the Tigers at their house and improve to 7-1 after following with a win against Temple.
This then brings them to play USF at ECU, which will be their hardest game yet. It came down to USF and ECU for the G6 spot in my projections, but I believe ECU has the better O-line and better secondary to keep this game on ECU's side. That puts ECU at 8-1, ultimately finishing 11-1 with a scare against Army.
I don't believe Boise State has the defense and WR core to be in the mix for this spot, and I don't believe UTSA makes it. With a complete offense, a productive defensive line, and a promising secondary, I believe the East Carolina Pirates will get it done in this AAC championship chase.
East Carolina Pirates Future Best Bets
East Carolina returns a dangerous passing attack, a deep defensive front, and a secondary trending up, all behind one of the sport's more manageable schedules. With the toughest test coming at home, the Pirates may look like a darkhorse, but I believe they are built to clear expectations both in the conference race and in the season win total.
To Win AAC: +980 (FanDuel)
Over 7.5 Wins: +125 (DraftKings)
