Tahj Deans

Height:
6-2
Weight:
184
Class:
Sophomore
Hometown:
Bailey
High School:
Southern Nash
Major:
Sport Studies

In a conducive position to take another significant career step by moving from a limited starting role to a full-time version as a junior … Completed spring drills competing with Blake Proehl and Andre Pegues at the outside “X” receiving slot … Challenged by the new coaching staff throughout the practice period, but for the second-straight spring, experienced nagging injuries that prevented significant scrimmage statistical compilation … Has played in 20 career contests, made four starts and caught 34 passes for 364 yards (10.7 ypr) and three touchdowns … Has made at least one reception in 10 games (posted two or more catches on nine occasions) … Targeted 70 times during career and converted 21 into first-down receptions.

2018: Recorded 18 catches for 187 yards (10.4 ypr) and one TD in 11 contests during sophomore season … Did not play vs. UCF … All 18 grabs came in the first six games of the year (did not have a reception in final five appearances) … Was targeted 40 times and made nine receptions that resulted in a first down … Logged a career-high six catches against Houston (for 40 yards) … Other outing of note was a five-reception, 48-yard effort against Old Dominion, which also included his lone TD of the campaign – a four-yarder from Reid Herring in the fourth quarter … Opened the campaign with three catches (25 yards) vs. North Carolina A&T before following with two grabs (54) against North Carolina … Also pulled in a career-long 39-yarder vs. the Tar Heels … Made first two league receptions of the campaign at Temple (for 20 yards), which also marked his only pair of road grabs all year … Stood fourth on unit with 10 catches in non-conference action (10-127) … Was team’s third-leading receiver in October (8-60) clashes, trailing only Trevon Brown and Leroy Henley … Credited with a pair of tackles on interception returns (ODU, UH).

2017: Experienced action in nine contests as a redshirt freshman … Made one start (at Houston) … Did not play against Connecticut, USF and Temple (injury) … Recorded 16 receptions for 177 yards (11.1 ypr) and two touchdowns … Snared scoring passes vs. UCF (17-yarder) and Cincinnati (23) … Logged a season-best five catches on two occasions (Cincinnati, Memphis) … Topped a 56-yard effort vs. the Bearcats by hauling in a personal-best 59 reception yards in season finale against the Tigers (averaged 5.0 receptions and 57.5 receiving yards per game in final two tilts of year) … Other notable performances came against Houston (3-27) and James Madison (2-18) in collegiate debut … Other grab resulted in a TD against the league champion Knights in Orlando … Longest catch of campaign was the aforementioned 23-yarder vs. Cincinnati to help Pirates post a 48-20 win at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Senior Day. 2016: Redshirted during true freshman campaign … Member of offensive and special teams scout/developmental squads while acclimating to collegiate competition level … Member of former coach Scottie Montgomery’s initial East Carolina signing class, inking with the Pirates in February.

High School: Completed high school career with 65 catches for 1,074 yards and nine touchdowns … Racked up over 500 all-purpose yards in 2015 … Had 24 receptions for 411 yards as a senior … Also starred defensively, collecting 61 total tackles (which stood third on the unit) … Topped Firebirds in interception return yards with 78 … Served as SNHS’s punter as well, averaging 33.7 yards per boot (640 yards on 19 punts) … Earned invitation to compete in the prestigious Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas after senior campaign and was part of North Carolina’s 54-39 win over South Carolina … Led Southern Nash in receiving with 21 catches for 348 yards and three TDs as a junior … Eclipsed the 100-yard all-purpose yard milestone during the Firebirds’ 26-13 triumph against Fike HS ... Defensively, stood second on team with 63 overall stops in 2014 to earn Rocky Mount Telegram All-Area honors … A three-star prospect according to ESPN.com … Also rated by ESPN.com among the Top 60 recruits in North Carolina (and Top 115 athletes nationally) … Picked up additional letters as a standout track and field performer at Southern Nash as well … Also recruited by Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Appalachian State and Georgia Southern before officially committing to ECU on May 5, 2015.

Personal: Full name is Tahj Natorry Deans … First name is pronounced TODGE (silent D) … Son of Tavis Battle and Shavonnie Deans … Major is sport studies … Earned Honor Roll accolades for classroom work during the 2016 and 2017 fall semesters … Cousin is Julius Peppers, a former North Carolina All-America selection and National Football League All-Pro choice (while with the Carolina Panthers).