East Carolina football fielded one of the most veteran teams in the country a year ago and used that experience to win eight games and capture a bowl victory against Coastal Carolina.
This year, the Pirates will feature one of the least seasoned squads in the FBS – four returning starters on offense and six on defense. ECU ranks 121st out of 133 FBS teams in experienced players returning, per Phil Steele’s College Football Preview magazine,
It will be incumbent on returning players to lead the way in 2023. Two of the top veterans – tight end Shane Calhoun and defensive back Jeremy Lewis – will take center stage Monday and Tuesday of this week as East Carolina participates in the American Athletic Conference media day festivities in Arlington, TX. The duo also serves as our latest Preseason Watch candidates:
#80 Shane Calhoun, tight end
Class: Junior
Measurables: 6-3, 242 pounds
Hometown: St. Augustine, Fla.
High School: Creekside
Major: Biology
Notes: Thrust into duty as a freshman, Calhoun has appeared in 32 games and started 26 of them. He has 19 starts over the past two seasons …
Contributes as both a blocking tight end and an important pass catcher. He made 25 receptions a year ago for 202 yards, and book-ended the season with touchdown catches against NC State in the opener and Coastal Carolina in the bowl game. His fourth-quarter TD against Coastal proved a career-high in yards covered, 36, to put the icing on that victory …
Caught at least one pass in the Pirates’ last seven games, including a five-catch performance against South Florida.
Had a huge game against Marshall in 2021, making eight catches for 114 yards – the first tight end to earn 100-plus receiving yards in the regular season since Carlester Crumpler did it in 1992.
From Hoist The Colours, ECU’s 247Sports site: “His role seems like it could take another step forward in 2023. (Ryan) Jones has graduated and moved on to the pro ranks, leaving Calhoun as the clear top tight end. In addition, ECU lost 1,000-yard wide outs Isaiah Winstead and C.J. Johnson, meaning there are more targets and yards to go around than ever before. Calhoun and wide receivers Jaylen Johnson and Jsi Hatfield are really the only returning targets with any legitimate and consistent production, meaning they each should see their number called quite a bit early in the season.”
#11 Jeremy Lewis, outside linebacker
Class: Senior
Measurables: 6-3, 232 pounds
Hometown: Greenville, NC
High School: South Central HS
Major: Communication
Notes: A familiar face in Pirate purple and gold, earning a letter for four years running and starting 22 of the 42 games he’s appeared in … Named preseason second-team All-American Athletic Conference by Athlon Sports and third-team by Phil Steele … Included as an AFCA Good Works Team candidate for 2023 …
Honored as East Carolina’s Male Outstanding Scholar-Athlete earlier this year at the Breakfast of Champions event … Also earned membership in the 2023 Football Foundation Hampshire Society …
On the field in 2023, finished second on the team in tackles-for-loss (8.5/-41 yards) and sacks (4.5/-33 yards) … Was fourth on the team in tackles with 60, including 30 solo hits … Earned a career-high 10 tackles against Navy …
Moved to the defensive side of the ball in 2021 after playing tight end and special teams his first two years in Greenville … Started eight games in ’21 and shared the team lead in sacks with 4.0 (for -36 yards) … Had nine tackles against Houston and forced two fumbles against South Carolina.
Has an older brother who also played for the Pirates: Kiante Anderson (2016-17), who lettered at defensive end … Has made the All-AAC Academic Team four years in a row …
From College Football News: “There needs to be more from the pass rush, and that’s where the Pirates might take a step up with a possible early strength up front. End Chad Stephens and edge rusher Jeremy Lewis will get in the backfield.”
About American Athletic Conference Media Days
Live coverage of The American Media Days will air Tuesday, July 25, at 9:15 a.m. ET as ESPN’s Kris Budden and Rene Ingoglia interview student-athletes from all 14 teams, alongside coverage of each head coach’s press conference. ESPN+ will have that telecast, along with a second feed that will feature the full press conferences from the head coaches. (Source: TheAmerican.org)
More from our Preseason Watch List:
- Announcing our preseason D3/NAIA All-North Carolina Team
Brevard’s Ethan Beamish, Greensboro’s Max Steele, NC Wesleyan’s Braxtyn Green headline honors list - D3 Football: Brevard picked 4th in USA South preseason poll
Tornados are highest ranked NC team; NC Wesleyan, Greensboro, Methodist follow - Western Carolina football hoping to wake up the echoes from magical 1983 season
Ingredients in place for Catamounts to claim first playoff berth in four decades - THE FABULOUS 15: Which Teams Are Set To Have The Most Special Seasons?
Lenoir-Rhyne will seek to defend its title; NC State starts atop our 2024 rankings - Announcing our preseason D2 All-North Carolina Team
Lenoir-Rhyne’s DeAree Rogers, Wingate’s Marquise Fleming and Catawba’s Bo Pryor headline our MVPs
More East Carolina Pirates News:
- Week 9 Rewind: JCSU remains unbeaten, App Wins For WNC, Lenoir-Rhyne & Wingate on collision course
Ranked wins slip away for Duke, Western Carolina, Gardner-Webb - ECU Coaching Search: Would Pirates consider Skip Holtz 2.0?
Former ECU QB Holton Ahlers advocates for another target – Dwayne Ledford, Falcons OL coach - Which names are emerging in ECU football head coaching search?
Pirates released Mike Houston on Sunday after 3-4 start - Breaking: East Carolina football fires head coach Mike Houston
Blake Harrell has been named interim head coach - Charlotte, ECU look to wreck magical seasons for Navy, Army
49ers, Pirates both heavy underdogs as they visit service academy opponents
