Daniel Charles

Height:
6-1
Weight:
187
Class:
Sophomore
Hometown:
Marietta, Ga.
High School:
Marietta
Major:
General College

Enjoyed perhaps the quickest and most notable climb on ECU’s defensive two-deep as a true freshman a year ago after earning an initial roster position during the spring of 2018 as a preferred walk-on … Despite being thrown in the proverbial fire early during career, was able to make a seamless adjustment to the collegiate level - both physically and mentally … Picked up schematic responsibilities in an expedient manner and delivered a physical approach while roving the secondary … Progress continued under the new coaching regime with a post-spring appointment as the Pirates’ projected starting strong safety heading into the fall … Could also make ample contributions as a special teams stalwart depending on defensive responsibilities … Logged a combined 12 total tackles during three spring scrimmages … Netted three stops during the first outing on March 30 before recording five tackles and nabbing an interception in the second contest on April 6 … Closed out the practice period with four hits and a pair of pass breakups during the Purple-Gold Game (April 13).

2018: Tallied 34 tackles (11 solo, 23 assists) while experiencing action in all 12 games as a true freshman … Made lone start (strong safety) against eventual league champion UCF at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium … In addition to contributing in the secondary, also co-led all special teams tacklers with five (on punt return coverage) … Booked at least one stop in nine contests and was credited with three or more tackles on six occasions … Posted both a game-high and career-best eight tackles at Cincinnati … Turned in a trio of five-stop outings (North Carolina, Temple, NC State), one four-hit effort (UCF) and one three-tackle performance (Old Dominion) … Also picked up a pair of stops at Tulane … Recorded first collegiate tackle in opener against North Carolina A&T … Directly responsible for a pair of takeaways in the season finale against the Wolfpack, forcing a fumble and picking off a Ryan Finley pass late in the second quarter at Carter-Finley Stadium (16-yard return) … Also credited with only TFL (0.5) of season vs. NC State … Did not record statistics against USF, Memphis or Connecticut … Recorded 16 tackles on rushes and 13 on pass plays (to go along with the aforementioned five special teams hits) … Contributed to a unit which ranked third nationally in TFLs (8.8 tpg), 22^nd in sacks (2.8 spg) and 35^th in fewest first downs allowed (243).

High School: A four-year football letterman for coach Richard Morgan at Marietta High School … Played linebacker and defensive back during junior and senior seasons, respectively … Selected as unit’s MVP both years … Also earned second-team all-region honors for the Blue Devils in 2016 … A three-year track letterman who excelled in the 200 and 400 sprint events, as well as the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams.

Personal: Full name is Daniel Jeremiah Charles … Born at Atlanta, Ga. … Son of Desmond and Sharon Charles … A general studies major … Related to Ernie Sims, a former Florida State linebacker who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2006 before enjoying a NFL career with four other organizations (Eagles, Colts, Cowboys and Cardinals) … Lists paintball as favorite hobby.