East Carolina Football Announces 2026 Early Signees

GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina Head Football Coach Blake Harrell announced that 16 student-athletes have signed grant in aids with the Pirates during the NCAA's early signing period, which began on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7 a.m. (ET). Potential student-athletes have until Friday, Dec. 5 to sign with their institutions.

The Pirates footprint for the 2026 signing period covered the Southeast portion of the United States with five signees from North Carolina, three from South Carolina, six from Georgia and two from Florida. Of the 16 student-athletes, 15 are expected to enroll at East Carolina in January of 2026 to participate in spring drills.

Joshua Battle, OL, 6-5, 285, Fr., College Park, Ga. (Woodward Academy)
Verbally committed to East Carolina on July 14, 2025 … Recruited by Matt Mattox … Will officially enroll early at ECU (January, 2026) and is expected to participate with the Pirates in spring drills … High School: Four-year letterman for the War Eagles who posted a four-year composite record of 41-12 which included a perfect 28-0 league record … Member of a program that advanced to the third round of the GHSA playoffs in 2022, 2024 and 2025, while making an appearance in the state championship in 2023 … Multi-sport athlete at Woodward who also competed in track and field … Got shot put and discus reps as a junior including a 36-7 shot put PR (per MileSplit) ... Three-star prospect by 247Sports on3 and ESPN … Listed as a Top 200 recruit in the state of Georgia by 247Sports, on3 and ESPN … Chose East Carolina over offers from Georgia Southern, Western Kentucky, Arkansas State, Eastern Kentucky, FIU, Florida Atlantic, Gardner-Webb, Georgia State, Liberty, Troy and UNLV.

Preston Broadway, OL, 6-3, 270, Fr. Indian Trail, N.C. (Metrolina Christian Academy)
Verbally committed to East Carolina on June 15, 2025 … Recruited by Matt Mattox … Multi-sport athlete (football, wresting) … Earned all-state honors as a junior … Three-time All-Western Conference selection … As a junior he recorded 85-plus pancake blocks without allowing a sack for the Warriors … Selected as a finalist for the Offensive Lineman of the Year Award at the 14th Annul Friday Night Lights Charlotte Football Awards Dinner in 2024 … Began prep career in 2021 as a member of the defensive unit on the junior varsity team … Was called up to varsity in 2021 playing one game and helped the Warriors to a 10-2 overall record … In 2022 he tallied 24 tackles (14 solo) in 10 games while registering a half sack and five quarterback hurries … One week prior to the 2023 season he was moved to the offensive line playing alongside current ECU Pirate Peyton Reeder … On the mat, he posted a 19-3 record as a junior and was a NCISAA runner-up in the 287-pound weight class … Three-star prospect by 247Sports and on3 … Listed as the 76th-best player in North Carolina by 247Sports and 79th by on3.

Trey Burke, QB, 6-3, 205, Fr., Spartanburg, S.C. (Spartanburg HS)
Verbally committed to East Carolina on June 6, 2025 … Recruited by John David Baker … Will officially enroll early at ECU (January, 2026) and is expected to participate with the Pirates in spring drills … High School: Three-year letterman for the Vikings … Played in 26 prep games from sophomore to senior season … Completed 236 of 420 passes for 3,095 yards with 30 touchdowns … Passed for 200 or more yards in a game three times in his career … As a senior completed 118 of 196 passes for 1,385 yards with 15 passing scores … Prior to that, was an All-Region 2 AAAAA selection in 2024 … Led Spartanburg to a 9-3 record and the semifinals of the state playoffs … Completed 76 of 133 passes (57.1%) for 1,065 yards with 11 TDs and 5 INT in 9 games … During sophomore campaign, played in nine games completing 42 of 91 passes for 645 yards and four touchdowns … Three-star prospect by 247Sports, on3 and ESPN … Listed as the 48th best prospect in South Carolina by 247Sports … Tabbed as the 37th best athlete in South Carolina by ESPN … Chose East Carolina over an offer from East Tennessee State.

David Coleman Jr., DB, 5-11, 165, Kingsland. Ga. (Camden County HS)
Verbally committed to East Carolina on June 21, 2025 … Recruited by Damon Magazu and Tarron Williams … Will officially enroll early at ECU (January, 2026) and is expected to participate with the Pirates in spring drills … High School: Two-way athlete (defensive back, wide receiver) for the Wildcats … Played in 31 career prep games … As a member of the defensive unit, tallied 108 total tackles (83 solo) with 3.0 TFLs, one quarterback hurry … Credited with three interceptions (90 yards) with 13 pass breakups and recovered a par of fumbles … Offensively, has caught 39 passes for 779 yards (20.0 ypc) with seven touchdowns … Rushed five times for 94 additional yards and a score … As a specialist, returned 31 kickoffs for 936 yards (30.2 avg.) and 12 punts for 270 yards (22.5 avg.) … Scored 13 total touchdowns in a variety of ways (1 rush, 7 receiving, 1 punt return and 4 kickoff return) … Two-time Region 1 AAAAAA Athlete of the Year (2024, 2025) … Three-star prospect by 247Sports, on3 and ESPN … Rated as the 120th-best athlete in Georgia by 247Sports … Listed as the 93rd-best athlete in Georgia by on3 and ESPN … Chose East Carolina over offers from James Madison, Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Bethune-Cookman, Charleston Southern, Charlotte, Florida State, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Liberty, LSU, Memphis, South Florida, Southern Miss, UConn and West Virginia.

Bryson Esser, OL, 6-8, 295, RSo., Denver, N.C. (Garden City CC)
Verbally committed to East Carolina on Nov. 6, 2025 … Recruited by Matt Mattox … Will officially enroll early at ECU (January, 2026) and is expected to participate with the Pirates in spring drills … Junior College: Helped the Broncobusters to a 6-5 record as a redshirt freshman in 2025 … Member of an offensive unit that tallied 3,746 yards of total offense and scored 34.1 points per game … Appeared in three games during initial year with the program … Originally signed with Richmond out of high school in 2023 and redshirted in 2024 … At North Lincoln HS, he was a 2021 first team all-conference selection as a junior … Followed that by earning his second-straight first team selection as well as being named second team all-state and participated in the 86th Annual Shrine Bowl of the The Carolinas … Three-star JUCO prospect by 247Sports and ESPN … Ranked as the 19th-best player at his position in the 2026 class at the junior college level … Listed as the eighth best player at his position by ESPN … Chose East Carolina over offers from Arkansas State, Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, Fresno State, Gardner-Webb, Indiana State, North Texas, Sacramento State, Southern Miss, Texas State, UT Martin and Western Michigan.

Chad Fairchild, LB, 6-0, 235, Fr., Hampton, Ga. (Lovejoy HS)
Verbally committed to East Carolina on June 16, 2025 … Recruited by Josh Aldridge … Will officially enroll early at ECU (January, 2026) and is expected to participate with the Pirates in spring drills … High School: Four-year letterman for the Wildcats … Named all-state as a senior and was a three-time All-Region selection … Tabbed as the 3-AAAAA Defensive Player of the Year as a senior … Prior to regional championship game, he had booked 102 total tackles that included 14.0 TFLs, 3.0 sacks and two pass breakups … Three-star prospect by 247Sports, on3 and ESPN … Listed as the 142nd-best athlete in Georgia by 247Sports … Rated as the 18th-best player at his position and 69th in the state by ESPN … Tabbed as a Top 100 player in Georgia by on3 and No. 85 at linebacker … Chose East Carolina over offers from Marshall, Boston College, Central Michigan, Duke, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Maryland, Mississippi State, NC State, Oregon State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Troy, Tulane, UAB, UCF, Wake Forest and Western Kentucky.

Ja'Vaughn Hargett, OL, 6-5, 260, Fr., Durham, N.C. (Southern Durham)
Verbally committed to East Carolina on June 21, 2025 … Recruited by Matt Mattox … Will officially enroll early at ECU (January, 2026) and is expected to participate with the Pirates in spring drills … High School: Played in 35 games for the Spartans … Recorded 81 career pancake blocks as a member of the offensive line … Registered at least one pancake block in 29 of 35 games … Tallied multiple in a game 22 times … Closed out prep career playing in 11 games where he recorded 27 pancake blocks … In 2025, The Spartans offense recorded 5,499 yards of total offense with 49 touchdowns … Offensive line opened holes nine 100-plus yard rushing games … During sophomore season was credited with 33 pancake blocks in 11 outings … As a sophomore, helped team tally 4,741 yards of total offense with 52 scores and two 100-plus individual rushing games … Played in 13 games as a freshman registering 21 pancake blocks … The offensive unit recorded 5,397 yards of total offense with 34 touchdowns and had four 100-plus individual rushing efforts … Named MaxPreps Player of the Game on Oct. 24, 2025 … Three-star prospect by 247Sports, on3 and ESPN … Listed as a Top 50 player in North Carolina by 247Sports, on3 and ESPN … Chose East Carolina over offers from Appalachian State, Campbell, Charlotte, Gardner-Webb, James Madison, N.C. A&T, Tennessee, Toledo, Troy, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.

Amare Mack, DB, 5-11, 175, Fr., Jacksonville, Fla. (University Christian)
Verbally committed to East Carolina on Nov. 12, 2025 … Recruited by Tarron Williams … Will officially enroll early at ECU (January, 2026) and is expected to participate with the Pirates in spring drills … High School: Over four-year prep career, played in 42 games as a two-way player … Registered 74 total tackles (63 solo) with 3.0 TFLs … Credited with six interceptions for 87 yards … As a member of the offense, caught 79 passes for 1,604 yards (20.3 avg.) with 19 touchdowns … Tallied 1,800 all-purpose yards (1,604 rcv, 34 kor, 72 pr, 87 INTs and 3 rush) … Booked 30 tackles (25 solo) with 2.5 TFLs and four interceptions (23 yards) as a senior … Caught 20 passes for 499 yards (25.0 avg.) with seven touchdowns … During junior season, he was a two-way player helping the Christians to the regional finals of Florida's 1A playoffs … Totaled 32 tackles and 2 INTs on defense while also catching 39 passes for 772 yards and 8 TD on offense … Appeared in eight games as a sophomore with seven tackles (six solo), while catching 11 passes for 221 yards (20.1 avg.) with four scores … Started prep career playing in nine games with five tackles … Offensively, caught nine passes for 112 (12.4 avg.) … Three-star prospect by 247Sports and on3 …. Listed as the 262nd-best player in Florida by 247Sports and No. 274 by on3 … Chose East Carolina over offers from Georgia State, Arkansas State, Air Force, Army, Bethune-Cookman, FIU, Navy, The Citadel and Wofford.

Xavier Massey, OL, 6-3, 290, Fr., Bushnell, Fla. (South Sumter HS)
Verbally committed to East Carolina on Nov. 10, 2025 … Recruited by Matt Mattox … Will officially enroll early at ECU (January, 2026) and is expected to participate with the Pirates in spring drills … High School: Helped the Raiders offense in 2025 to 3,225 yards of total offense with 41 touchdowns … Selected to play in the FACA North/South game … During junior campaign, the Raiders tallied 3,000 yards of total offense with 24 touchdowns … Three-star prospect by 247Sports and on3 … Listed as the 294th-best player in Florida and No. 298 by on3 … Chose East Carolina over offers from Delaware State, Georgia State and N.C. Central.

Dijmon McLendon, DB, 5-11, 175, Fr., Tucker, Ga. (Tucker HS)
Verbally committed to East Carolina on June 24, 2025 … Recruited by Damon Magazu and Josh Aldridge … Will officially enroll early at ECU (January, 2026) and is expected to participate with the Pirates in spring drills … High School: Three-year letterman for the Tigers … Senior stats not available … As a junior racked up 68 tackles, two forced fumbles and five pass breakups as a junior for Tucker … The Tigers went 7-4 last season, including a 6-2 mark in the AAAA Region 5, before falling to Ware County in the state playoffs … During sophomore campaign, played in 11 games booking 16 tackles (13 solo) … Credited with 1.5 TFLs with a 1.0 sack … Three-star prospect by 247Sports, on3 and ESPN … Listed as the 103rd-best prospect in Georgia by 247Sports and No. 90 by ESPN … Chose East Carolina over offers from Georgia Southern, UConn, Alabama, Arkansas State, Bethune-Cookman, Campbell, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Colorado, Delaware, Elon, FIU, Georgia, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas, Memphis, Miami (Ohio), Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Missouri, NC State, Ole Miss, SMU, South Florida, Troy, UCF, UMass, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Western Kentucky and Western Michigan.

Lindell (LJ) Porter, LB, 6-0, 215, Fr., Cornelius, N.C. (Hough HS)
Verbally committed to East Carolina on Aug. 1, 2025 …. Recruited by Josh Aldridge … Will officially enroll early at ECU (January, 2026) and is expected to participate with the Pirates in spring drills … High School: Played senior season at Hough High School appearing in eight games … Registered 48 tackles (14 solo) with 8.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks … Credited with a forced fumble and recovered a fumble … Three-year letterman at Charlotte Christian from 2022-24 … In 2024 as a junior, played linebacker, safety and running back, helping the Knights to an 8-4 record and a NCISAA playoff berth advancing to the second round … Racked up 88 tackles, including 12 tackles-for-loss, with two interceptions, four pass breakups and three forced fumbles … Also added 175 rushing yards and three touchdowns … Earned second team all-state honors as was a first team all-region selection as a junior … As a sophomore, he logged 91 tackles in a breakout campaign … Credited with one sack, five pass breakups and forced on fumble … Helped program to an 8-4 record and a second-round playoff spot … During freshman campaign, tallied 58 tackles as a member of the varsity team … Registered 6.0 TLFs, 3.0 sacks, three interceptions, two pass breakups and a forced a pair of fumbles … Also had 20 yards rushing on offense … Member of a 10-3 squad that advanced to the third round of the NCISAA Division I playoffs … Three-star prospect by 247Sports, on3 and ESPN … Listed as a Top 75 player in North Carolina by 247Sports, on3 and ESPN … Chose East Carolina over offers from Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Elon, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, James Madison, Liberty, Miami (Ohio), Missouri, Old Dominion, Sacramento State, Troy, UConn and Virginia Tech.

Dawson Quarterman, WR, 6-2, 200, Fr., Loganville, Ga. (Grayson HS)
Verbally committed to East Carolina on June 22, 2025 … Recruited by Dyrell Roberts … Will officially enroll early at ECU (January, 2026) and is expected to participate with the Pirates in spring drills … High School: Two-sport athlete in football and track … Played his senior season at Grayson High School appearing in 13 games where he caught 52 passes for 845 yards (16.3 avg.) with eight touchdowns … Stood 56th in Georgia with 845 reception yards, which also ranked 11th in Division AAAAAA … His eight scores ranked 66th in the division … Caught at least one pass in all 13 contests (multiple 10 times) … Hauled in 10 receptions for 124 yards against Thompson … Also had 100-plus yard games against Newton (143), Archer (100) and CCHS (126) … As a junior, he played at Norland High School in Miami (2024) catching 35 passes for 624 yards and five touchdowns … Prior to junior season, played at St. Thomas Aquinas High School … Three-star prospect by 247Sports, on3 and ESPN … Listed as a Top 125 athlete in Georgia by 247Sports, on3 and ESPN … Chose East Carolina over offers from FIU, Arkansas State, Ball State, Colorado, Florida Atlantic, Georgia State, Howard, James Madison, Kennesaw State, Kentucky, Liberty, NC State, Nebraska, South Florida, Syracuse, Temple, Toledo, Troy, Tulane, UAB, West Virginia, Western Kentucky and Western Michigan.

Zyon Ratchford, DL, 6-3, 215, Fr., Gaffney, S.C. (Gaffney HS)
Verbally committed to East Carolina on July 1, 2025 … Recruited by Rico Zackery … Will officially enroll early at ECU (January, 2026) and is expected to participate with the Pirates in spring drills … High School: Two-sport athlete at Gaffney High School playing football and basketball … High School teammate of ECU commit Kelton Smith … Three-year letterman in football that played in 38 career games … Recorded 240 total tackles (180 solo) with 27.0 TFLs that included 5.0 sacks (-41 yards) … Intercepted four passes (40 yards) with five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles … As a senior, appeared in 13 games making 105 stops (85 solo) with 4.5 TFLs, two interceptions (22 yards) and three pass breakups … During junior campaign, tallied 68 tackles (49 solo) with 18.0 TFLs and 4.0 sacks (-30 yards) … Credited with two pass breakups while causing two fumbles and recording one … Earned all-region accolades following junior year … During sophomore season, played in 13 contests with 67 tackles (46 solo) … Credited with 4.5 TFLs and 1.0 sack (-11 yards) … Picked off a pair of passes (18 yards) and recovered one fumble … On the hardwood, played in 30 career prep games where he averaged 4.4 points and 2.5 rebounds … Three-time MaxPreps Player of the Game in basketball (Feb. 4, Feb. 7 and Feb. 14, 2025) … Three-star prospect by 247Sports, on3 and ESPN … Listed as the 42nd-best prospect in South Carolina by 247Sports …Tabbed as the 32nd-best prospect in South Carolina by on3 … Rated the 37th best player in the state by ESPN … Chose East Carolina over offers from Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, Campbell Charleston Southern, Charlotte, Gardner-Webb, Limestone, N.C. A&T and South Florida.

Jeremiah Roux, LB, 6-3, 215, Fr., Jonesboro, Ga. (Mundy's Mill HS)
Verbally committed to East Carolina on June 30, 2025 … Recruited by Josh Aldridge … Will officially enroll early at ECU (January, 2026) and is expected to participate with the Pirates in spring drills … High School: Two-sport athlete at Mundy's Hill (football, basketball) … Over three-year prep career, played in 27 games on all three sides of the ball … On defense, he registered 82 tackles (61 solo) with 2.0 TFLs … Intercepted on pass (no return) while recovering three fumbles and causing two … As a member of the offensive unit, he caught 52 passes for 819 yards (15.8 avg.) with three touchdowns … He ran for 152 yards on 55 carries (2.8 ypc) with two scores and passed for 143 yards completed 16 of 36 passes … His special teams play was highlighted by 41 career punts for 1,147 yards (28.0 avg.) where he landed one inside the 20-yard line … Also returned one kickoff for 43 yards during his senior season … An all-state honorable mention selection … Following senior season, was a first team all-region selection and all-state nominee … Five-time MaxPreps Player of the game in 2024 … According to MaxPreps, played in just four basketball games his senior season where he averaged 1.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per contest … Brother Kendrick DuJour is a current member of the Pirates roster as a member of the defensive line unit … Cousin Derwin James Jr. played three seasons at Florida State before being selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers as a safety … Cousin Gregory Gaines III played two seasons at Iowa State and one at Rhode Island as a wide receiver … Three-star prospect by 247Sports, on3 and ESPN … Chose East Carolina over offers from South Florida, Appalachian State, Buffalo, Gardner-Webb, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Howard, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Memphis, Savannah State, Tennessee State, Troy, UAB, Wake Forest and Western Kentucky.

Kelton Smith, DL, 6-4, 310, Fr., Gaffney, S.C. (Gaffney HS)
Verbally committed to East Carolina on June 15, 2025 … Recruited by Roy Tesh … Will officially enroll early at ECU (January, 2026) and is expected to participate with the Pirates in spring drills … High School: Played senior season at Gaffney High School with teammate Zyon Ratchford, who is also an ECU 2026 commit … Appeared in 11 games making 25 tackles (13 solo) with 6.5 TFLs for the Indians … Began prep career playing eight-man football at Oakbrook Prep in Spartanburg, S.C. where he logged snaps at tight end, running back and on the defensive line as a junior in 2024 … Three-star prospect by 247Sports and on3 …. Listed as the 47th-best athlete in South Carolina by 247Sports … Rated as the 24th-best prospect in South Carolina by HSSR (High School Sports Report).

Terande Spencer, DL, 6-3, 235, Fr., Rockingham, N.C. (Richmond County HS)
Verbally committed to East Carolina on June 15, 2025 … Recruited by Rico Zackery … Will officially enroll early at ECU (January, 2026) and is expected to participate with the Pirates in spring drills … High School: Four-year player for the Raiders that played in 34 career games … Selected to play in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … Two-time Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2024-25) … Recorded 260 tackles with 77.0 TFLs which included 32 sacks … Intercepted a pair of passes, recovered six fumbles, forced four fumbles and credited with 20 pass breakups … As a senior, tallied 91 tackles (49 solo) with 23.0 TFLs and 9.0 sacks to go along with three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries … Helped the Raiders to a 10-3 record which included reaching the third round of the 4A East playoffs … During junior season helped the Raiders to a 6-0 conference record resulting in a championship and earned Sandhills 4Q Athletic Conference Defensive Most Valuable Player honors … He recorded 101 tackles, 36.0 TFLs, 17.0 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and 15 quarterback hurries … First full-time action as a starter came during sophomore campaign where he booked 67 stops (53 solo) with 18.0 TFLs, 6.0 sacks, two pass breakups, one fumble recovery and a forced fumble … In first year of prep ball, played in one game making one tackle (solo) and causing a fumble … Scored one career touchdown on a fumble recovery … Attends the same high school that produced ECU senior defensive lineman J.D. Lampley and redshirt freshman defensive lineman Jacoby Martin … Three-star prospect by 247Sports, on3 and ESPN … Listed as the 26th-best prospect in North Carolina by 247Sports … Rated by ESPN as the 22nd-best player in North Carolina … Chose East Carolina over offers from Charlotte, Appalachian State, North Carolina, N.C. A&T, South Florida and Troy.

Players Mentioned

Kendrick DuJour

J.D. Lampley

Jacoby Martin

Peyton Reeder

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