Since the introduction of the transfer portal in 2018, the start of a new year has often signaled change in college football. East Carolina was active during this year’s winter transfer window (Dec. 9 – Dec. 28), bringing in 15 new players. As is common in the college football landscape, these additions were accompanied by departures, with 20 players leaving the program in December.
The Pirates saw seven members of their secondary (defensive backs) enter the transfer portal, including important contributors to the 2024 season such as junior cornerbacks Dontavious Nash and Andrew Wilson-Lamp, sophomore cornerback Isaiah Brown-Murray, and junior safety Gavin Gibson. Additionally, star senior cornerback Shavon Revel declared for the NFL Draft. In response, ECU made the secondary a priority in the portal, adding four new defensive backs.
One of these new additions is FCS All-American Jordy Lowery. Lowery, a sophomore who played at Western Carolina University last season, posted impressive stats, including six interceptions, 48 tackles, and 14 pass breakups. He is expected to make an immediate impact for the Pirates’ defense in 2025.
East Carolina also lost standout players such as sophomore wide receiver Chase Sowell and sophomore linebacker Zakey Barker. Sowell finished second on the team in receiving yards (678) and third in receiving touchdowns (3). He was ranked as the 17th-best wide receiver in the transfer portal this winter by 247 Sports before committing to Iowa State University. Barker, a defensive leader in 2024, finished second on the team in tackles (84), recorded two sacks, and forced a fumble. He was ranked as the 45th-best linebacker in the portal before transferring to Southern Methodist University. Both players will be missed by the Pirate fanbase in 2025.
Since the conclusion of the 2024 season, ECU also made several coaching changes. They hired defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge, former linebackers coach at Auburn University, strength and conditioning coach Mike Sirigano from the University of Louisville, and general manager Noah Joseph, who previously held the same role at Purdue University.
Below are the full lists of player departures and additions for ECU football following the 2024 season. The Pirates will look to rebuild their roster as they aim for greater success in 2025. ECU opens the 2025 season on the road against North Carolina State University on Aug. 30 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC.
Departures:
- Wide Receiver Chase Sowell
- Linebacker Zakey Barker
- Edge Rusher Demoris Jenkins
- Cornerback Dontavious Nash
- Cornerback Andrew Wilson-Lamp
- Safety Jordan Huff
- Safety Gavin Gibson
- Safety Kingston McKinstry
- Cornerback Isaiah Brown-Murray
- Tight End Nick Slogik
- Safety No’Tavien Green
- Defensive Lineman CJ Mims
- Linebacker Greg Turner
- Wide Receiver Ryan Stephens
- Quarterback Bryson Harrison
- Offensive Lineman Kenny Walz
- Wide Receiver Kerry King
- Offensive Lineman Amarie Archer
- Running Back Javious Bond
- Cornerback Daylyn Diston
Additions:
- Cornerback Key Crowell (University of Indianapolis)
- Defensive Lineman Xavier McIver (University of Tennessee Martin)
- Cornerback Jonathan Akins (University of Maryland)
- Cornerback Jordy Lowery (Western Carolina University)
- Wide Receiver Jaquaize Pettaway (University of Oklahoma)
- Long Snapper Triston O’Brien (Indiana State University)
- Running Back Parker Jenkins (University of Houston)
- Offensive Lineman Cooper Trnavsky (Newberry College)
- Edge Rusher Kendrick Dujour (Sam Houston State University)
- Offensive Lineman Kyle Long (University of Maryland)
- Defensive Lineman Justin Benton (University of Houston)
- Safety Teagan Wilk (University of Houston)
- Running Back Dejaun Lacy (Garden City Community College)
- Defensive Lineman Rion Roseborough (Towson University)
- Offensive Lineman Leivi Semaia (El Camino College)