ECU Football Kicks Off Spring Practice Under New Head Coach Blake Harrell
On March 25, 117 Pirates took to the field as East Carolina University began its spring football training. New head coach Blake Harrell led a focused two-hour practice focusing on…
Head coach Blake Harrell of the East Carolina Pirates is doused with miniature bowling pins after defeating the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the Go Bowling Military Bowl at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Annapolis, Maryland.
Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesOn March 25, 117 Pirates took to the field as East Carolina University began its spring football training. New head coach Blake Harrell led a focused two-hour practice focusing on fundamentals.
"It was great to be on the grass and between the field outside for practice number one starting the second quarter," Harrell said in a statement to East Carolina University. "I thought it was a really good day one. Guys had good energy, bounced around, and got a lot of things done."
The team will practice 15 times before the Purple-Gold Spring Game on April 26. The roster combines 31 newcomers with 46 veterans who helped secure last year's Military Bowl win.
The Pirates' offense stayed mostly unchanged. Quarterback Katin Houser is back to run the show, with linemen Jimarion McCrimon and Emmanuel Poku protecting him. The group put up impressive numbers last season, ranking 24th in yards and 27th in passing among all FBS teams.
Josh Aldridge takes over a defense that lost most of its starters. The experienced coordinator will rely on linebacker Ryheem Craig and defensive back Ja'Marley Riddle, along with a solid group of 22 players from 2024.
The special teams group keeps five key players who excel in blocking kicks and covering punts.
ECU hosted its annual Pro Day earlier in the day. Twenty-one players went through drills and testing while scouts from every NFL team watched.
