ECU Completes Fifth Practice Of Fall Camp

GREENVILLE, N.C. – After four introductory workouts (two in shorts/helmet, two in shells), East Carolina returned to Hight Field inside the Cliff Moore Practice Complex Friday morning turning in its fifth practice of fall camp.

With temperatures in the mid-80's under partly cloudy skies, first-year head coach Blake Harrell guided the Pirates through a near two-our practice that featured contact in all three phases of the game.

Following their customary flex and individual sessions, that included an inside run period. The Pirates worked on punt drills, followed by more individual practice times before wrapping up the workout by conducting a 15-minute team-on-team segment that began with ones versus ones, then the second and third teams going against one another.

""I think it's been a good first week," Harrell said. "We're in day five. We got day six tomorrow, full pads, and then we'll take Sunday off with the players. As far as practice, we'll have a few things to do, but we'll have an off day as far as practice goes. But I thought each and every day, they have come out and are getting better and better. Thought today may have been our best energy day. Throughout practice, the vibes are good. They're out there. The energy was good. Obviously, we're still learning how to execute. Obviously, we're still learning little things and fundamentals and techniques and playing low pad level coming off the football, but I think we're getting better every single day. Still got a long ways to go, still got a lot to do. It's a lot to improve on. But a week from tomorrow, we've got a scrimmage. We'll take it one day at a time, and we'll find out a little bit tomorrow. We put the full pads on; we'll do a little bit of live work."

Of the Pirates' five returning positional starters, five special teams' members, 44 returning lettermen and 52 new members since the end of the 2024 campaign, several players have earned preseason recognition from a variety of media outlets and have been added to watch lists:

DL – Ryheem Craig
Third Team All-AAC (Athlon Sports)
Third Team All-AAC (Phil Steele Magazine)

RB – Marlon Gunn Jr.
Allstate AFCA Good Works Team ® Nominee
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

RB – Parker Jenkins
Fourth Team All-AAC (Athlon Sports)

DL – J.D. Lampley
Second Team All-AAC (Athlon Sports)
Second Team All-AAC (Phil Steele Magazine)

DB – Jordy Lowery
Second Team All-AAC (Phil Steele Magazine)
Third Team All-AAC (Athlon Sports)

OL – Jimarion McCrimon
Second Team All-AAC (Athlon Sports)
Third Team All-AAC (Phil Steele Magazine)

RB – London Montgomery
Fourth Team All-AAC (Phil Steele Magazine)

DB – Ja'Marley Riddle
Second Team All-AAC (Phil Steele Magazine)
Third Team All-AAC (Athlon Sports)

WR – Anthony Smith
First Team All-AAC (Athlon Sports)
First Team All-AAC (Phil Steele Magazine)

WR – Yannick Smith
Fourth Team All-AAC (Athlon Sports)

PR – Brock Spalding
Third Team All-AAC (Phil Steele Magazine)

LB – Dameon Wilson
Fourth Team All-AAC (Athlon Sports)

East Carolina is schedule return to the action Saturday morning for its first full pad practice before taking Sunday off. The Pirates will close camp on August 20, just days after its second scrimmage before returning to a customary in-season early morning schedule in preparation for its season opener at NC State on Thursday, Aug. 28.

Fans can follow the Pirates throughout camp on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram and X).

Players Mentioned

Ryheem Craig

Marlon Gunn Jr.

Parker Jenkins

J.D. Lampley

Jordy Lowery

Jimarion McCrimon

London Montgomery

Ja'Marley Riddle

Anthony Smith

Yannick Smith

Brock Spalding

Dameon Wilson

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