Pirate Pulse Fall Camp Report: Full Pads Bring the Pop

Tuesday marked East Carolina’s second day in full pads this preseason — and our first chance to watch live tackling during fall camp. And make no mistake, the intensity was turned up.

There’s something different about watching a team go full-go for the first time. The energy, the physicality, and the competition all rise a level, and the Pirates didn’t disappoint.

Practice opened with a fun wrinkle: a best-of-five two-point conversion competition between the offense and defense. It wasn’t even close. The defense swept the drill 3–0, setting the tone for the rest of the morning and celebrating each stop with plenty of juice. That competitive edge was on display throughout the day.

One of the clear standouts was sophomore safety DeMarius Hines, who made his presence felt early and often. A compact, physical defensive back, Hines thrives on contact and delivered several clean, tone-setting hits throughout the session. After seeing action in 12 games last season, he looks poised for a breakout in 2025. Expect to hear — and see — a lot of No. 6 this fall.

We also got our first extended look at the first-team defense, and it featured a strong mix of returning playmakers and transfer portal talent:

• CB: Jordy Lowery – 2024 All-American at Western Carolina

• CB: Rasheed Reason – 49 tackles last season as a 12-game starter at Old Dominion

• CB: Jonathan Jean – “Bloody Joe” Davis Award winner and Rice transfer

• S: Ja’Marley Riddle – 64 tackles and three INTs as a true freshman in 2024

• S: DeMarius Hines – Showing signs of physical breakout this fall

• LB/S Hybrid: Sam Dankah – Lined up all over in the brief live periods, showcasing his versatility

• DL: Ryheem Craig – 2024 starter and preseason Third-Team All-AAC pick

• DL: J.D. Lampley – Formerly suspended, but back and working with the ones; preseason Second-Team All-AAC

• DL: Xavier McIver – UT-Martin transfer with FBS and FCS experience

• DL: Zion Wilson – Converted offensive lineman who’s flashing as a rotational piece

Several new defensive backs stood out, including Lowery and Reason, both of whom transferred in and are now running with the top unit. The competition at cornerback looks fierce, and there's real depth building on the back end — a clear sign of progress for a unit that showed flashes last season.

Offensive coordinator John David Baker spoke to the media after practice and made one thing very clear: his confidence in the group is on a completely different level compared to last year. “Night and day,” Baker said. The Pirates’ OC feels good about every level of the offense and quickly put to rest any speculation about a two-quarterback system — despite the buzz around backup Mike Wright. Raheim Jeter is QB1, and that’s not changing.

Baker also praised the improvement of offensive linemen Panda Askew and Jayson Tarpeh, both of whom are pushing for serious playing time up front. At tight end, Baker called Jayvontay Conner and Desirrio Riles “freak athletes” and said they’ve both been outstanding this fall. The challenge now? Consistency. Both stand 6-4, weigh around 240 pounds, and have been clocked between 21–22 miles per hour — rare speed for guys that size.

Defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge also met with reporters and came across optimistic, but honest. He’s encouraged by the physical edge his defense is playing with, but now it’s about seeing how they tackle — especially as Saturday’s scrimmage approaches. That’ll be the first true litmus test for his side of the ball.

Aldridge spotlighted the safety group as one that’s taken a major leap since the spring, praising the progress of Hines, Riddle, Teagan Wilk, and Kevon Merrell. With that group leading the way on the back end, and multiple senior contributors working into the starting front, Aldridge seems to like where things are headed.

Meanwhile, in the receiver room, Jaquaize Pettaway and Tyler Johnson continue to turn heads. Both are working with the second team, but they’re hard to miss in drills. Pettaway and Johnson not only flash reliable hands, but they’re smooth and dangerous in space. If they keep stacking days, it’s only a matter of time before they force their way onto the field more regularly.

As camp rolls on, the pieces are coming together. And with Saturday’s scrimmage on the horizon, the competition is about to get even more real.