TSN Ranks Three Gridiron Pirates
May 21, 2003 | Football
Fullback Vonta Leach, offensive tackle Brian Rimpf, and center Doug White all are top-20 ranked players by the preseason publication.
Leach is listed at No. 20 among the nation's fullbacks. That ranking reflects the high expectations for the senior from Rowland, N.C., who only had 11 carries for 30 yards in 2002, his first full season on offense. Leach lettered his first two seasons at linebacker and was used primarily as a blocking back last year. He had an exceptional spring practice, carrying 14 times for 108 yards in the 2003 Spring Game, and is expected to flourish in new head coach John Thompson's offense which will feature more two-back sets.
Rimpf, who has already been named Preseason All-America and is on the 2003 Rotary Lombardi Award watch list, comes in at No. 16 among the nation's offensive tackles, according to TSN. The senior from Raleigh, N.C., has earned first team All-Conference USA honors in each of the past two seasons.
White is listed as the No. 8 center in the country. The senior from Norristown, Pa., is a two-year starter at center and has been an integral part of the offensive line which has paved the way for two consecutive 1,000-yard rushers and helped ECU average over 30 points a game for the last three seasons.
Preseason practice will get underway at ECU on August 8. The Pirates will open their 2003 season on Labor Day, September 1, at C-USA defending co-champ Cincinnati.
