ECU Emerging as Likely Landing Spot for Miami QB Emory Williams

East Carolina Pirates appear to be in strong position to land Miami quarterback Emory Williams out of the transfer portal, according to ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel.

Williams entered the portal this week following three seasons with the Miami Hurricanes, as the program once again looks to rework its quarterback room through the portal. Williams was dressed and available as the backup during Miami’s 27–21 loss to Indiana on Monday night, but his long-term future had already begun trending elsewhere.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound quarterback has appeared in 12 games over the past three seasons, completing 73 of 116 passes (62.9 percent) for 813 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. His most significant action came during his true freshman season in 2023, when he made two starts, including a signature home win over Clemson, before exiting a late-season matchup against Florida State with an arm injury. He finished that season with 470 passing yards and three scores.

Williams spent the following two years as a backup, first behind Cam Ward in 2024 and then behind Carson Beck in 2025. With Miami expected to once again pursue an experienced quarterback in the portal, Williams elected to explore his own options.

Originally from Milton, Florida, Williams was a three-star recruit in the 2023 class, rated as the No. 31 quarterback nationally and a top-100 player in the state. His combination of size, experience, and remaining eligibility has quickly made him one of the more intriguing quarterbacks available this cycle.

If Williams ultimately commits to ECU, he would join a quarterback room that has already undergone significant change this offseason. The Pirates recently added Texas Tech transfer Mitch Griffis, who is already enrolled and on campus. Griffis, a former Wake Forest starter, is expected to compete immediately for the starting job. Williams would also join redshirt freshman Cole Hodge and true freshman Trey Burke.

With East Carolina navigating multiple departures on offense, quarterback remains the most critical position to solidify heading into the 2026 season. Adding a proven Power Five passer like Williams would represent a major step toward stabilizing the position and shaping the Pirates’ offense moving forward.