ECU Football Adds Three To 2019 Signing Class
February 06, 2019 | Football
Signee Bios (PDF) l Signing Day Central
GREENVILLE, N.C. – First-year ECU Head Football Coach Mike Houston announced the addition of defensive linemen Rick D'Abreu and Immanuel Hickman, along with tight end Zech Byrd to his 2019 signing day class after the trio formally submitted their national letters-of-intent Wednesday.
Â
D'Abreu and Hickman each played at the high school level in the state of Virginia last fall, while Byrd is expected to transfer into the Pirates' program from Garden City (Kan.) Community College. The three latest newcomers will join 18 previous signees who inked with ECU during the NCAA's early signing day on Dec. 19, 2018.
The Pirates' defensive unit now features nine of the 21 overall newcomers with D'Abreu and Hickman becoming the fourth and fifth linemen included on that side of the ball in this particular class. The pair of Virginia natives also pushed the true freshmen count to 18, which accounts for over 85 percent of ECU's 2019 roster additions. Byrd's arrival should bolster the Pirates' offensive unit to 10 new additions, which now includes two tight ends.
"We feel like we were able to fortify an already exceptional class by capitalizing on our momentum and relationships," Houston said. "Rick and Immanuel certainly augment our depth and athleticism up front defensively, and from an offensive standpoint, Zech allows us to reinforce our firm commitment to establish a sustained level of success from the tight end position."
Â
Houston, who was named ECU's 22nd head football coach on Dec. 3, inherits a program that posted 3-9 overall mark and stood fifth (1-7) in the American Athletic Conference's East Division in 2018. The Pirates are expected to return seven starters on offense and seven on defense when spring drills open Friday, March 15 before facing NC State in Raleigh on Aug. 31 to kick off the 2019 season.
GREENVILLE, N.C. – First-year ECU Head Football Coach Mike Houston announced the addition of defensive linemen Rick D'Abreu and Immanuel Hickman, along with tight end Zech Byrd to his 2019 signing day class after the trio formally submitted their national letters-of-intent Wednesday.
Â
D'Abreu and Hickman each played at the high school level in the state of Virginia last fall, while Byrd is expected to transfer into the Pirates' program from Garden City (Kan.) Community College. The three latest newcomers will join 18 previous signees who inked with ECU during the NCAA's early signing day on Dec. 19, 2018.
The Pirates' defensive unit now features nine of the 21 overall newcomers with D'Abreu and Hickman becoming the fourth and fifth linemen included on that side of the ball in this particular class. The pair of Virginia natives also pushed the true freshmen count to 18, which accounts for over 85 percent of ECU's 2019 roster additions. Byrd's arrival should bolster the Pirates' offensive unit to 10 new additions, which now includes two tight ends.
"We feel like we were able to fortify an already exceptional class by capitalizing on our momentum and relationships," Houston said. "Rick and Immanuel certainly augment our depth and athleticism up front defensively, and from an offensive standpoint, Zech allows us to reinforce our firm commitment to establish a sustained level of success from the tight end position."
Â
Houston, who was named ECU's 22nd head football coach on Dec. 3, inherits a program that posted 3-9 overall mark and stood fifth (1-7) in the American Athletic Conference's East Division in 2018. The Pirates are expected to return seven starters on offense and seven on defense when spring drills open Friday, March 15 before facing NC State in Raleigh on Aug. 31 to kick off the 2019 season.
2026 ECU Spring Game Highlights and Post
Saturday, April 18
04/13/26 Cliffs Cab
Monday, April 13
ECU Football Coach Blake Harrell Post-Practice (April 10, 2026)
Friday, April 10
04/07/26 Inside Pirate Athletics
Tuesday, April 07
