Three-Star ATH LJ Porter Commits to ECU

( Photo Credit: Rivals )

East Carolina continues to build a strong 2026 recruiting class with the addition of LJ Porter, a highly regarded three-star prospect out of Hough High School in Charlotte.

Porter made his official visit to Greenville on June 19, and a month and a half later, he made it official on Friday night. He picked the Pirates over offers from App State, James Madison, Liberty, UConn, Sacramento State, Missouri, and several others. His final four schools were ECU, JMU, Liberty, and Sacramento State.

Listed as an "athlete" by 247Sports, Porter is expected to play linebacker at the next level. He’s ranked as the No. 124 athlete nationally and checks in at No. 58 among all 2026 prospects in North Carolina with an 85 overall rating.

The 6-foot, 190-pounder played both ways last season at Charlotte Christian before transferring to Hough, and while he made plays on offense, his calling card is clearly on the defensive side. Porter stacked up 91 tackles as a sophomore, then followed it up with 88 more last season, including 12 tackles for loss and two interceptions. He also saw time at safety and returned punts — showing off the kind of athleticism ECU loves to develop in its linebacker room.

But make no mistake: he’s coming to Greenville to fly around and hit people. He’s physical, explosive, and a natural fit in ECU’s evolving defensive scheme.

Porter’s commitment adds to what’s been a strong linebacker class for the Pirates so far. He joins fellow three-star defenders Chad Fairchild (Lovejoy, Ga.) and Jeremiah Roux (Mundy’s Mill, Ga.), giving ECU three legit high-upside players at the position.

With Porter now in the boat, ECU holds 16 public commitments for the 2026 cycle. He’s the fifth from North Carolina. Georgia leads the way with six, followed by four from South Carolina and one from Florida. Of the 16 total commits, nine are on the defensive side of the ball — and the group looks like one of the most athletic ECU has had in years.