Pirates Land Nine All-Conference Selections, Including Four First-Teamers

East Carolina’s strong 8-4 regular season and 6-2 finish in American Conference play paid off in a big way on Tuesday, as the league announced its postseason teams. The Pirates were all over the list, landing nine total selections, including four players on the First Team.

It’s one of ECU’s most complete showings in the American era and a reflection of how well-rounded Blake Harrell’s squad was on both sides of the ball this season.

ECU’s Four First-Team All-Conference Selections

• LT Jimarion McCrimon (R-So.)

• S Ja’Marley Riddle (So.)

• WR Anthony Smith (Sr.)

• DL Zion Wilson (Sr.)

McCrimon locked down the blindside for one of the league’s top offenses, while Riddle became one of the most disruptive safeties in the conference. Smith continued to cement himself as one of ECU’s most productive receivers in recent memory, and Wilson delivered a breakout season that capped off a true walk-on success story.

Second-Team Pirates

• DL J.D. Lampley (Sr.)

• LS Triston O’Brien (Sr.)

• RG Emmanuel Poku (R-Jr.)

Lampley earned his second career postseason honor, O’Brien was rock-solid as the Pirates’ long snapper, and Poku teamed with McCrimon to anchor one of the league’s best offensive fronts.

Third-Team Honorees

• WR Yannick Smith (So.)

• LB Dameon Wilson (R-Sr.)

Despite dealing with injuries, Yannick Smith still put together a strong year as a key option in ECU’s passing game, while Wilson delivered one of the best seasons of his college career in his final run as a Pirate.

Breaking Down ECU’s All-Conference Pirates

Dameon Wilson — LB (Third Team)

In his final collegiate season, the Missouri transfer made a real impact. Wilson totaled 47 tackles (21 solo), along with 7.0 tackles for loss (-17 yards) and a half sack. His physicality and instincts helped stabilize the linebacker unit all year.

Yannick Smith — WR (Third Team)

Even with a late-season injury, Smith appeared in 11 of 12 games, posting 44 catches, 583 yards, and five touchdowns. When healthy, he was one of ECU’s most reliable chain-movers and deep threats in the offense.

Triston O’Brien — LS (Second Team)

The Indiana State transfer quietly delivered one of the most consistent special teams seasons in the league. He executed clean snaps on 43 punts, 15 field goals, and 49 PATs, giving ECU stability every week.

Zion Wilson — DL (First Team)

The former walk-on delivered one of the breakout seasons in the entire conference. Wilson finished the year with 39 tackles (18 solo), a league-best 7.0 sacks (-38 yards), and 10.0 TFLs (-46 yards). His rise from walk-on to All-Conference standout is one of the best stories on the roster.

J.D. Lampley — DL (Second Team)

A steady force up front, Lampley wrapped up his four-year career with another postseason honor. Across 48 career games (12 starts), he totaled 71 tackles, 7.0 sacks, 19.0 TFLs, and three pass breakups. He has been one of the defense’s foundational pieces throughout his time in Greenville.

Anthony Smith — WR (First Team)

Smith finishes his ECU career as a two-time All-Conference selection and one of the most productive receivers the program has had in years. Over the last two seasons, Smith started 25 straight games, totaling 101 receptions for 1,696 yards (16.8 ypc) and 11 touchdowns, including a catch in 24 of 25 games. He was ECU’s most consistent big-play threat all season.

Ja’Marley Riddle — S (First Team)

A tone-setter on the back end, Riddle started all 12 games and has quickly emerged as one of the league’s best safeties. In just two seasons, he’s started 18 of 25 games, recording 134 tackles (65 solo), six interceptions, and 10 pass breakups.

Jimarion McCrimon — LT (First Team)

Emmanuel Poku — RG (Second Team)

Together, McCrimon and Poku were two of ECU’s most important offensive players. They logged huge workloads and helped push ECU’s offense into the Top 25 nationally in:

• First downs (9th – 292)

• Third-down conversion rate (12th – 50%)

• Passing offense (15th – 280.7 ypg)

• Total offense (14th – 464.7 ypg)

• Fewest sacks allowed (22nd – 1.33 per game)

• Scoring offense (25th – 33.5 ppg)

Their dominance in the trenches allowed ECU’s offense to take a massive leap under John David Baker.

Notable Snubs

Two Pirates who had strong cases but were left off the teams:

QB Katin Houser

Houser threw for 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns, added nine rushing TDs, and protected the football with only six interceptions. He was edged out by North Texas’ Drew Mestemaker, USF’s Byrum Brown, and Navy’s Blake Horvath.

K Nick Mazzie

Mazzie went 13-of-15 on field goals and was perfect on every extra point, but the league went with kickers from Tulane, USF, and Rice.

Final Thoughts

With nine All-Conference selections, four of them first-teamers, East Carolina’s 2024 regular season was validated across the league. From walk-on success stories to breakout sophomores to veteran leaders finishing strong, the Pirates sent a clear message:

This program is rising quickly, and the foundation for 2025 is already strong.