Donovan Noel

Height:
6-3
Weight:
295
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Raleigh
High School:
Millbrook
Major:
Art

Successfully rebounded from an illness during the fall of 2018 with a strong spring showing under the direction of a new coaching staff … Experienced significant repetitions and finished drills with a place on the offensive depth chart as the top backup to Cortez Herrin at the left guard slot … Has had instruction from a different position coach each spring (Don Mahoney/2018, Steve Shankweiler/2019) during short tenure in program … Displayed one of the top muscle growths among all members of the program thanks to strength and conditioning efforts, adding nearly 40 pounds to frame (signing day weight was officially listed at 257).

2018: Did not experience game-day action during the fall as a true freshman (redshirted) … Was regarded as a viable candidate for two-deep placement at either a guard or tackle slot before suffering an illness that sidelined him during preseason camp and most of the fall campaign … Officially enrolled early (January) at ECU and participated with the Pirates in spring drills.

High School: Played a role in four consecutive NCHSAA playoff appearances for coach Clarence Inscore and the Wildcats … Earned roster invitation to represent North Carolina in the prestigious Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star Game in December, 2017 … Picked up All-Cap 7 4A Conference honors as a senior team captain after leading MHS to a fourth-place league standing (3-3) and 6-7 overall record that included a second-round state playoff showing … Opened all 12 games as a junior and earned all-conference accolades as the Wildcats turned in a 7-5 mark in 2016 … Prior to an injury-shortened sophomore campaign (returned to start final two contests) in 2015, earned promotion to varsity unit as a freshman in 2014 and helped Millbrook to an 11-3 record which included a trip to the Eastern 4AA finals as current ECU quarterback Reid Herring’s teammate … Committed to the Pirates on June 26, 2017 … Also fielded offers from Appalachian State, Boston College, Buffalo, Charlotte, Colorado State, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech, Old Dominion, Purdue and Syracuse.

Personal: Full name is Donovan Noel … Born at Durham, N.C. … Son of Lee and Heather Noel … A communication major … Drawing and video games are hobbies … Admires the legacy of Ray Lewis, for his on-field & philanthropic accomplishments … Last name is pronounced know-ELL.