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:
- FCS Football Spotlight: Elon safety tandem has All-America credentials
Caleb Curtain and Khalil Baker will give Phoenix a fierce defensive backfield this season - Does the Triangle have the best quarterback neighborhood in the nation?
UNC’s Drake Maye, Duke’s Riley Leonard, NC State’s Brennan Armstrong and NCCU’s Davius Richard make for one heck of a fantasy team - Preseason Watch List: Mars Hill LB Landon Honeycutt
Senior coming off an MVP season in the South Atlantic Conference - Preseason Watch List: Wingate Bulldogs’ dynamic defensive duo
Marquise Fleming and Tre Morrison have All-America potential for ’23 - Preseason Watch List: Johnson C. Smith WR Brevin Caldwell
Sophomore from Charlotte led the CIAA in receiving a year ago
More East Carolina Pirates News:
- UNC RB, NC State WR spotlighted in Phil Steele national preview magazine
Omarion Hampton earns first-team All-American, while KC Concepcion makes the cover - East Carolina future football schedules: Pirates add Clemson for ’29
ECU also will play NC State, Wake Forest, NC Central, South Carolina, West Virginia, Coastal Carolina, Old Dominion in the years ahead - Circle your calendars: Composite 2024 college football schedule for North Carolina
34 programs. 303 total games. 186 contests played within our state’s borders. Let’s go! - Purple Passion: Western Carolina football will visit ECU in 2027
Catamounts and Pirates have met 20 times in a series that dates back to the 1930s - 2-Minute Drill: Former NC State RB leads UFL in TDs; What if NC college football was like baseball?
Ricky Person Jr. has scored 6 TDs for undefeated Birmingham
