Warren Saba

Position:
Safety
Height:
5-10
Weight:
198
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Cleveland, Ohio
High School:
Benedictine
Prev School:
Garden City CC
Major:
Health Fitness Specialist

A multi-dimensional defensive contributor and special teams stalwart … Was moved from the outside linebacking or bandit position back to the secondary prior to spring drills but pandemic prevented on-field reps in new role … Opened Pirate career as a cornerback but has since adapted to changing defensive schemes with arrival of third coordinator in as many years … Provides unit with plenty of athleticism, quickness, toughness and tenacity … Despite short time in the ECU program, has already become a popular and personable figure among fans and in the community.

2019: Recorded 17 tackles (12 solo) in 11 contests as a reserve outside linebacker and special teams performer … Produced multiple stop totals in five games, which included a season-high five hits in prime-time nationally-televised American Athletic Conference clash against Temple at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium … Also recorded lone TFL of campaign (-4 yards) vs. the Owls … Additionally, was credited with two pass breakups (Gardner-Webb, William & Mary) and a blocked punt (Old Dominion) … His first-quarter block and subsequent four-yard touchdown return against the Monarchs, which gave ECU a 10-3 lead in an eventual 24-21 victory, was a first for an ECU special teams squad since 2015 …Other notable outings include a four-tackle night against defending league champion UCF and three two-stop efforts vs. Gardner-Webb, Old Dominion and SMU … Posted single hits in back-to-back contests vs. USF and Cincinnati … Defensive tackle splits were nearly identical (8 rushing plays, 7 passing plays) … Other pair of stops were on kickoff return coverage … Did not experience action at Connecticut.

2018: Played in all 12 contests during initial season on the roster (following transfer from junior college) … Came off the bench as a top reserve at the field cornerback position and tallied 26 tackles (20 solo) … Also credited with a TFL for -5 yards (North Carolina) and three pass breakups (two vs. Cincinnati, one vs. Connecticut) … Posted at least one stop in eight games and collected multiple tackles on seven occasions … Booked a season-best seven hits in season finale at NC State, while collected four stops each in outings against the Tar Heels and Bearcats (all solo) … Recorded other tackles vs. Temple (3), Houston (3), UCF (2), Connecticut (2) and Old Dominion (1) … Part of 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) … Officially enrolled early at ECU (January) after signing and participated with the Pirates in spring drills.

Junior College: Key member of the Broncbusters’ defense that helped Jeff Simms’ program roll to an 8-4 record and CHAMPS Heart of Texas Bowl appearance in 2017 … Credited with 71 total tackles (46 solo), 3.0 TFLs, sack, two forced fumbles, while leading the team with 22 pass breakups and five interceptions as a redshirt freshman - his only active season on the GCCC roster … Earned All-Jayhawk Conference (honorable mention) accolades and was selected to the Gridiron JC All-America squad … Also had three kickoff returns for 33 yards … Logged seven tackles, an interception return for 45 yards and lone sack (-11 yards) vs. Dodge City CC on Oct. 21 … Named Jayhawk Conference Defensive Player-of-the-Week for booking five solo stops, forcing a fumble, picking off a pair of passes (111 return yards) and contributing a game-preserving breakup on a two-point conversion against Butler CC on Sept. 30 … Other contests of note came vs. Independence CC (12 tackles) on Sept. 9, Hutchinson CC (11, along with 2.0 TFLs) on Sept. 16 and two other seven-hit performances vs. Iowa Western CC on Oct. 14 and Trinity Valley CC on Dec. 2 during bowl action … Returned pass theft 73 yards for a TD during a 69-0 victory over Fort Scott CC in the regular season finale on Nov. 11 … Closed season with 16 batted passes in last six outings, which included a season-high six against Trinity Valley during postseason clash … Part of a NJCAA national championship squad as a redshirt in 2016 … Reportedly was clocked at 4.48 in the 40-yard dash and 3.8 in the shuttle … Officially committed to ECU on Dec. 17, 2017 … Also considered Bowling Green, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan and Southern Mississippi … Graduated from GCCC with a 3.5 grade point average.

High School: Played integral role for a Benedictine team which captured three conference crowns, a pair of district titles and the 2014 Ohio Division IV state championship … A three-year letterman and team captain for coach Joe Schaefer, who currently serves on the Iowa State staff … Picked off eight passes to earn first-team all-district, all-conference and Associated Press All-State honors … Also chosen as the division’s defensive player-of-the-year and was named to the American Family Insurance All-USA NE Ohio Football squad as a senior cornerback for a Bengals’ squad that rolled to a 12-1 record … Notable highlights include returning a kickoff (87 yards) and an interception (43 yards) for touchdowns against Youngstown Ursuline early during the 2015 campaign … Added an 88-yard pick-six against Lake Catholic … Additionally, garnered first-team all-conference, all-district and all-state accolades as a junior in 2014 during state title-winning campaign … Earned prep track letter, competing in the 200 meters.

Personal: Full name is Warren Saba … Born at Cleveland, Ohio … Son of Tom Saba and Janelle Riley … A health fitness specialist major … Last name is pronounced SAY-bah.