East Carolina isn’t supposed to be here.
The Pirates lost 21 starters from last year’s nine-win team. Their star quarterback transferred to the Big Ten. Their leading tackler went to Georgia. Their top receiver is now in the NFL. Both coordinators left for other jobs.
On paper, it looks like the kind of offseason that sends a program back to the bottom of its conference.
Yet optimism around Greenville hasn’t faded. And the Pirates might be closer to a conference title this year than last.
That’s because head coach Blake Harrell appears to have built something more durable than a single good season. The Pirates enter 2026 believing culture, depth and smart roster building can outweigh returning experience – and if they’re right, an exciting conference championship chase could be waiting.
Here is our East Carolina 2026 football preview, the fifth in our series of North Carolina FBS previews.
📝 Published: July 17, 2026
🔄 Last Updated: July 18, 2026
East Carolina Football At A Glance
2025 Record: 9-4
2025 American Conference Record: 6-2 (T-4th)
2026 Season Opener: at Alabama, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026
Head Coach: Blake Harrell
Record at School: 14-5 (3rd year here)
Career Record: 14-5 (3rd-year here)
Offensive Coordinator: Jordan Davis (1st year here)
Defensive Coordinator: Jordon Hankins (1st year here), co-defensive coordinator Roy Tesh (8th year here)
2026 NC Football News Prediction: 9-3
Previewing North Carolina FBS Football
NC Football News is publishing in-depth previews of all seven North Carolina FBS programs ahead of the 2026 season. Explore the previews below. Schools without an active link are still to come.
App State | Charlotte | Duke | East Carolina
NC State | UNC | Wake Forest
Five Things To Know About East Carolina
1. Blake Harrell is one of the top up-and-coming head coaches in FBS football
When Harrell, now 46, took over as interim coach in 2024, the Pirates were a middling 3-4 and in the midst of a 5-14 streak dating back to 2022. Since then, Harrell has completely reversed ECU’s course. They’ve won 14 of 19 games, including a pair of bowl victories against ACC foes. Harrell is proving himself excellent at culture-building and maximizing a roster despite heavy turnover.
2. ECU has legitimate conference championship aspirations
Though not listed as a favorite by media pundits, East Carolina isn’t a long shot either. The Pirates have the sixth-best odds of making the college football playoff from the Group of Six, according to ESPN’s FPI. They are more popular as a “dark horse” candidate but that label may be underselling the program. The conference schedule is manageable (no Navy, Tulane, UTSA), and the American isn’t exactly loaded with heavyweights.
3. There is still a quarterback battle to replace Katin Houser
With last year’s star quarterback off to Illinois, Harrell brought in transfers Mitch Griffis and Emory Williams to compete for the job. As of mid-July, neither had been named the starter. Griffis has played in 30 games during stops at Texas Tech and Wake Forest. Williams spent 2023-25 at Miami, starting a few games as a freshman, including a double overtime win over Clemson.
4. The Pirates have a new OC, DC
East Carolina is one of five teams in the American Conference replacing both of its coordinators. Last year’s OC John David Baker joined the staff at Ole Miss, while DC Josh Aldridge went to USF. New offensive coordinator Jordan Davis had North Texas piling up yards and points the past three years. New defensive coordinator Jordon Hankins had a top 50 FBS defense at Memphis last season.
5. ECU doesn’t return many starters but does have returning production
ECU has just one offensive starter and two defensive starters back for 2026. But the Pirates do return proven production at many spots and used the transfer portal to bring in experienced players to fill other holes and provide depth. “East Carolina lost 21 Starters. It still might win nine games,” wrote College Football News earlier this summer.
What the Experts Think
East Carolina’s National Ranking (out of 138 teams)
Athlon: 75th
Phil Steele: 86th
Lindy’s: 93rd
CBSSports: 76th
ECU’s Projected Conference Finish (out of 14 teams)
Athlon: 5th
Phil Steele: 4th
Lindy’s: 9th
Sporting News: 5th
Quotable
“The portal swept away lots of star power off another ECU bowl team, but don’t be fooled. The Pirates are sneaky good. Guys who have played significant time without necessarily racking up starts are all over the roster.” – Athlon Sports
“East Carolina is probably a more solid team than people realize.” – Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer to 247Sports in mid-July.
“I’m worried about what East Carolina lost off its roster, but I do think this schedule is kinda manageable. It wouldn’t shock me if they pulled something here. This is a very dark horse. They will probably take their licks there (at Alabama). Then they will settle into conference play.” – Bud Elliott, CBS Sports during a July edition of the Cover 3 Podcast
“The Vegas over/under is 7.5 (wins). I’m taking the over with East Carolina. I would say the floor would be a bowl game.” – national college football analyst Phil Steele on a podcast with Pirate Radio.
Preseason accolades 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/bDnVEdVfLy — ECU Football (@ECUPiratesFB) June 12, 2026
Why East Carolina Could Surprise
- A favorable schedule gives the Pirates a realistic path to the conference title game
- New OC Jordan Davis has directed high-flying offenses before
- Great team culture and buy-in, starting at the top
- Proven defensive approach
Why East Carolina Could Struggle
- A lot of new pieces must gel together
- Lack of star power at quarterback
- A tough opener at Alabama could damage early confidence if the result is lopsided
The Number: +10
East Carolina finished +10 in turnover margin in 2025, tied for 11th best in the FBS. The Pirates were +4 in turnovers in road wins at Coastal Carolina and FAU, as well as the bowl victory over Pittsburgh. For measure, national champion Indiana finished the season at +16, tops in the country. ECU wasn’t that far behind.
Biggest Losses
QB Katin Houser
Dynamic dual-threat transferred to Illinois after 3,300-yard, 19 TD season in 2025
WR Anthony Smith
Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys after a 1,000-yard receiving season and being named MVP of the 2025 Military Bowl (156 receiving yards, 2 TDs)
DB Ja’Marley Riddle
ECU’s 2025 tackles leader (70) and interceptions leader (3) returned to his home state to play for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2026.
K Nick Mazzie
Four-year letterwinner hit 166-of-168 PATs, went 58-of-74 on field goals and tallied 343 career points.
Who’s Back?
⭐ Returning Starters
Offense: 1
Defense: 2
Special Teams: 1
⭐ Returning Stat Leaders
Passing: n/a
Rushing: TJ Engleman – 306 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Brock Spalding – 42 catches, 554 yards, 3 TDs
Tackles: DJ Johnson – 60 tackles
Sacks: Jasiyah Robinson – 5.0
Tackles-for-Loss: Samuel Dankah – 5.5
Interceptions: Kevon Merrell – 1
👀 Players To Watch
QBs Mitch Griffis or Emory Williams
Whoever wins the starting job will have a deep receiving room to work with and capable runners. They don’t necessarily have to be a superstar, though it would help.
WR Brock Spalding
Caught at least one pass in all 13 games a year ago and finished with 42 receptions for 554 yards, 3 TDs
C Brandon Best
Key transfer from Kennesaw State has NFL size and potential on the front line
LB D.J. Johnson
Started the last five games and finished as the second overall tackler in 2025 (60 stops, 4.5 TFLs)
DB Zyeir Gamble
Appalachian State transfer has experience, picking off two passes and finishing with 76 tackles last season.
DE Jasiyah Robinson
Has overcome multiple injuries during the early part of his college career to become a dependable asset on the defensive front.
LBs Crews Law and Cade Law
Both began their careers at UNC and now come to East Carolina after a stint at Memphis.
🆕 Incoming Freshmen to Know
EDGE Terande Spencer | Rockingham, NC
Former Richmond Senior standout was a top-30 prospect in the state’s Class of 2026 and recorded 101 tackles, 36 TFL, 17 sacks as a prep senior.
EDGE Ethan Wilson | Bethel, NC
Also a top-30 prospect in the state, the former North Pitt star has track speed and played both ways in high school. He also finished with 101 tackles as a senior, with 14.5 sacks.
QB Trey Burke | Spartanburg, SC
All-region signal caller on a nine-win team threw for 1,065 yards with 11 TD and 5 INT over nine games (per MaxPreps).
North Carolina Signees (5)
Terande Spencer, EDGE (Rockingham, NC | Richmond Senior)
Ethan Wilson, EDGE (Bethel, NC | North Pitt)
Ja’Vaughn Hargett, OT (Durham, NC | Southern Durham)
LJ Porter, LB (Cornelius, NC | Hough)
Preston Broadway, OL (Indian Trail, NC | Metrolina Christian)
More Transfers to Know
Ray Ray Joseph, WR (Miami)
Michael Allen, RB (Marshall)
Kanen Hamlett, TE (App State)
Landon Sides, WR (North Texas)
Ashton Gray, RB (North Texas)
Games That Could Define the Season
East Carolina at Alabama (Sept. 5)
Why it matters: Few expect the Pirates to upset the Crimson Tide in the season opener in Tuscaloosa, but a strong showing could be a key momentum builder for what could be a conference championship run. (Read our Game Preview)
Appalachian State at East Carolina (Sept. 12)
Why it matters: The Mountaineers have won the last three meetings since 2021, but the Pirates look to have moved ahead of the Mountaineers in the state’ FBS pecking order. This will be the chance to prove that on the field and continue building momentum.
East Carolina at Army (Nov. 21)
Why it matters: Blake Harrell ascended to the head coaching job after ECU’s last trip to Army in 2024 (a 45-28 loss that led to Mike Houston’s firing). Will Harrell and the Pirates’ return to West Point with conference title chances on the line?
Mark your calendars! 🗓️ @ECUAthletics pic.twitter.com/l4kcuQt9xZ — ECU Football (@ECUPiratesFB) May 27, 2026
Schedule Snapshot
🏠 Home: 6
✈ Away: 6
⭐ Toughest Test: The season opener at Alabama on Saturday, Sept. 5. The Crimson Tide is a 4-TD favorite as of mid-July.
⚠️ Trap Game: vs. Rice on Oct. 10. The Owls will bring their unique shotgun triple-option offense to Dowdy-Ficklen after a bye week and before two crucial mid-week road games.
💥 Best Upset Chance: at Memphis on Oct. 22. The Pirates have had success on the road against the Tigers, winning four of the last five.
👉 Explore the complete East Carolina 2026 Football Schedule, including opponents, game dates, kickoff times and results as they happen.
Recruiting Snapshot
High School Additions: 18
National Class Rank: 93rd (247Sports)
Transfer Additions: 24
Transfer Class Rank: 73rd (247Sports)
👉 Explore more about East Carolina Football Recruiting, including 2027 commitments and how the 2026 roster has been shaped.
Three Questions Facing East Carolina
Can the Pirates keep it close against ’Bama?
Few expect an upset win but a respectable showing against the vaunted Crimson Tide could be the perfect springboard toward the team’s real goals of contending in the conference.
Who wins the QB battle?
Katin Houser set the bar high during his time as the starter in 2024 and 2025. Fans will be anxiously awaiting which transfer – Mitch Griffis or Emory Williams – is named the starter heading into the ‘Bama game.
Will Blake Harrell be the coach at ECU next season?
No, we’re not putting Harrell on any hot seat. In fact, quite the contrary. If ECU surges to eight-plus wins again this fall after having to retool so much of the roster, it is easy to speculate that Blake Harrell will be a popular name for any Power Four coaching jobs that come open.
Best Case/Worst Case
Best: ECU makes life uncomfortable for Alabama in week one, cruises past in-state rivals App State & Charlotte and earns its way into the American Conference football championship game (and CFP conversation?).
Worst: Mitch Griffis and/or Emory Williams struggle at quarterback, the transfer portal additions don’t gel as hoped and the Pirates miss out on bowl eligibility.
NC Football News Prediction
Record: 9-3
Conference Finish: 6-2
Bowl: Fenway Bowl, with another chance to beat an ACC team
The Final Word
Yes, ECU lost a lot from last year’s nine-win team that beat Pitt in the Military Bowl. And we do have concerns about the offensive line becoming a solid unit.
But we’re bullish on Blake Harrell as a head coach and bullish on the Pirates at large. Don’t underestimate the value of a coach who can build locker room culture and get players pulling all in the same direction. Those traits became evident quickly when he assumed command midway through the 2024 season.
The schedule sets up well. The transfer additions appear to fit. And if the quarterback position and offensive line settle quickly, another nine-win season is well within reach.
More than anything, though, our confidence comes from Blake Harrell. In less than two years, he has changed the trajectory of the program and established an identity built on toughness, accountability and belief.
Until someone proves otherwise, we’re betting on the coach as much as the roster.
🔗 East Carolina Football Resources
🏈 2026 East Carolina Football Schedule
📋 East Carolina Recruiting Tracker
📰 Latest East Carolina Football News
🏟️ North Carolina FBS Schedules
📅 2026 North Carolina College ‘Master Schedule’ (organized by week)
