American · 2026

East Carolina

2025 record 9–4 6–2 conference
Postseason Military Bowl W 23–17 vs Pittsburgh
Head coach Blake Harrell Year 2; 14–5 as HC
Scheme New OC Jordan Davis (ex-North Texas)
Conference
B−

9-win baseline + efficiency portal + Davis offense; QB unknown and D coordinator change keep it from A-tier

Portal
B

Portal #5 (efficiency class, 24 commits)

Depth
C+

Robinson/Johnson/Spalding give holdovers; much of the two-deep is still new

Market odds

To Win AAC
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
To Make Conf. Championship
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Over 7.5 wins
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%

Recruiting ranks

Overall #7 42 commits · 191.51 pts
Portal #5 24 commits· avg 84.43

Roster notes

Leading story

Reload after heavy portal attrition

QB

Mitch Griffis (Wake → Marshall → Texas Tech) vs Emory Williams (Miami). 2025 starter Katin Houser transferred to Illinois

RB

Ashton Gray / Michael Allen / TJ Engleman Jr

WR

Brock Spalding returns as the clearest production piece after Anthony Smith left

Defense

Spine: DE Jasiyah Robinson, MLB DJ Johnson Jr., RUSH Kendrick DuJour. Zion Wilson (7.0 sacks) portal → Virginia. DC Josh Aldridge left for USF

Key offense

  1. 01
    Mitch Griffis QB
    Portal
    • Wake → Marshall (no snaps) → Texas Tech → ECU
    • Career: 183/299, 2,314 yds, 17 TD, 8 INT
    • 2025 (regular season) TTU: 26/36, 357, 2 TD in 7 G
  2. 02
    Emory Williams QB
    Portal
    • Miami → ECU
    • Career Miami: 73/116, 813 yds, 4 TD in 12 G / 3 starts
  3. 03
    Brock Spalding WR
    Returning
    • 2025 (regular season): 42 receptions, 554 yds, 3 TD
    • top remaining WR after the Smiths left

Key defense

  1. 01
    Jasiyah Robinson DL
    Returning
    • Michigan State → ECU
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 26 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 5.0 sacks
    • Military Bowl contributor
    • extra eligibility
  2. 02
    DJ Johnson Jr. LB
    Returning
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 60 tackles, 5.0 TFL
    • among the few clear returning starters
  3. 03
    Kendrick DuJour EDGE
    Returning
    • Sam Houston → ECU
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 3.5 sacks in 6 games (small sample, real disruption rate)