Eleven Pirates Named Preseason All-Conference By Athlon Sports

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Eleven East Carolina football player have been named to preseason All-American Conference Teams according to an announcement by Athlon Sports. The Pirates had five offensive and six defensive players garner accolades ahead of the 2026 campaign.

The Pirates' selections by the publication were first teamers WR Brock Spalding and DL Jasiyah Robinson; second team picks OL Brandon Best, DL Kendrick DuJour and RB Ashton Gray; third teamers LB DJ Johnson Jr. and WR Landon Sides; fourth team members OL Hayes Creel, DB Ashton Levells-Mitchell, DB Kevon Merrell Jr. and DL Rion Roseborough.

2026 Preseason Honors

OL – Brandon Best
First Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)
Second Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)
Second Team All-American Conference (Lindy's Sports)

OL – Hayes Creel
Third Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)
Fourth Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)

DL – Kendrick DuJour
Second Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)
Second Team All-American Conference (Lindy's Sports)
Second Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)

RB – Ashton Gray
Second Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)

LB – DJ Johnson Jr.
Third Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)
Fourth Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)

WR – Tyler Johnson
Third Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)

DB – Kevon Merrell Jr.
Fourth Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)

DB – Ashton Levells-Mitchell
Third Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)
Fourth Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)

WR – Landon Sides
Third Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)

WR – Brock Spalding
First Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)
First Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)
Second Team All-American Conference (Lindy's Sports)

DL – Jasiyah Robinson
First Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)
Second Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)

DL – Rion Roseborough
Fourth Team All-American Conference (Athlon Sports)
Fourth Team All-American Conference (Phil Steele Magazine)

The Pirates will open the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5 when it travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala. to take on Alabama at Saban Field inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 12 noon (ET) and will be televised on ABC. Season ticket orders are currently on sale, with packages starting at just $75 for the six-game home slate at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium this fall. To purchase new season tickets, visit ECUPirates.com or contact the ECU Athletics Ticket Office at (252) 737-4500 during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.).

Eleven Pirates Named Preseason All-Conference By Athlon Sports

Players Mentioned

Brandon Best

Hayes Creel

Kendrick DuJour

Ashton Gray

Tyler Johnson

DJ Johnson Jr.

Ashton Levells-Mitchell

Kevon Merrell

Jasiyah Robinson

Rion Roseborough

Landon Sides

Brock Spalding

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