East Carolina 2017 Outlook
Last 4 seasons
2016: 3-9 coached by Scottie Montgomery
2015: 5-7 coached by Ruffin McNeill
2014: 8-4 coached by Ruffin McNeill
2013: 10-3 coached by Ruffin McNeill
All Time record: 426–385–11 (.525)
2016 reflection:
Western Carolina W 52-7
NC State W 33-30
@South Carolina L 15-20
@Virginia Tech L 17-54
UCF L 29-47
@ 25 South Fla. L 22-38
@ Cincinnati L 19-31
Connecticut W 41-3
@ Tulsa L 24-45
SMU L 31-55
Navy L 31-66
@ 23 Temple L 10-37
Leaders:
Passing: Phillip Nelson 237/349 (68%) 2621 yards, 16 TD’s, 8 Ints
Rushing: James Summers 162 carries for 869 yards (5.4 AVG) 7 Rushing TD’s
Receiving: Zay Jones 158 rec for 1746 yards (11 AVG) 8 Receiving TD’s
Tackles: Jordan Williams 77 total tackles
TFLs: Deyon Pratt, Yiannis Bowden 7.5 Tackles for Loss
Sacks: Deyon Pratt 2.5 Sacks
Ints: Colby Gore 2 ints
notable 2017 signees (based on 247 sports)
Leroy Henley, WR, 5’11 186 (Early Enrollee)
Tank Robinson, S, 5’11 190
Trace Christian, RB, 6’1 220
Tyree Owens, JuCo DE, 6’5 275
Kingsley Ifedi, QB, 6’3 210 (Early Enrollee)
Jayden Borders, WR, 5’11 170 (Early Enrollee)
Taijh Alston, DE, 6’4 220 (Early Enrollee)
Ben Norris, LB, 6’3 220 (Early Enrollee)
Marcus Holton Jr, JuCo CB, 6’1 170 (Early Enrollee)
Cannon Gibbs, JuCo LB, 6’2 225 (Early Enrollee)
NFL draftees: Zay Jones
Key Losses:
QB Phillip Nelson
RB James Summers
WR Zay Jones
RG J.T. Boyd
DB Terrell Richardson
LB Cam White
LB Dayon Pratt
DB DaShaun Amos
DB DaShawn Benton
DL Fred Presley
DL Demetri McGill
2017 season outlook
3-7 wins
East Carolina Analysis
East Carolina had a difficult year despite having the nations leading receiver and career receptions leader. The offense put up a lot of points, but didn't produce the amount of points expected in an air raid offense. the defense didn't help them out too much either. Thankfully, in year 2 of Scotie Montgomery, they gain Duke transfer Thomas Sirk and have an experience QB already in Gardner Minshew, who played time for the injured Phillip Nelson. Defensively there were few teams worse than ECU in 2016. they gave up 36 PPG, also only had 5 ints and 8 sacks on the season. ECU added several JuCo transfers to sure up those spots in 2017. Despite losing their top receiver, reports out of spring ball showed that ECU still has a plethora of WR's. they will have to sure up the running game, but both Derrell Scott and Hussein Howe had great spring games. A lot of ECU's top recruiting talent came in early, which gives them a step ahead in learning the playbook. worst case scenario they win 3 games, and best case scenario they win 7 games. the offense will put them positions to win games, but the defense has to hold up in order for them to return to the postseason.