Ranking ECU football's transfer additions in order of expected impact on the 2024 season (2024)

Harrison was brought in as a late addition to the quarterback room more for depth purposes, and the future. He's just a redshirt freshman who didn't play for the Panthers last season at Georgia State in a redshirt year. But he's a fourth scholarship quarterback in the room behind fellow transfers Jake Garcia and Katin Houser, and third-stringer Raheim Jeter. In an ideal world, ECU would not have to go four quarterbacks deep this season, but if they have to, Harrison would be the next in line.

It's tough to know exactly what to expect from Askew, and where exactly to place him on this list. He was a two-year starter for the Charlotte 49ers on the interior offensive line from 2020-22, but he didn't play much at all last season, and he just enrolled in classes. So a lot will depend on what type of shape he's kept himself in, and how he adjusts to the offense. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Askew get some legitimate snaps as the season moves along, but we'll place him towards the bottom for now.

From an upside perspective, Duncanson has a bright future. He's blessed with good speed and a strong football IQ - a combination that should make him a successful safety in time. The Pirates expect him to contribute on special teams in some capacity this season, but it's unclear how much the redshirt freshman will play on defense initially. He's been working at field safety this preseason, primarily with the backups behind senior Devon King. He's an injury or two away from seeing the field in a pretty significant fashion.

Montgomery has shown flashes during camp, especially with the ball in his hands. But the Penn State transfer is still picking up the offense and looking for the consistency to be trusted in big spots on game days. Right now, he's probably fourth in line behind returning players Rahjai Harris, Marlon Gunn Jr., and Javious Bond. But most teams typically need 4-5 backs to get through a season. So expect Montgomery to get some action at some point, and he could easily rise up this list in time.

Wilson-Lamp is a former four-star recruit who played some significant snaps for West Virginia, but was never able to hold on to a full-time role. The junior is hoping to eventually find more of a consistent role at ECU, but is currently behind starters Shavon Revel and Isaiah Brown-Murray on the depth chart. Wilson-Lamp's speed and size at 6-3 give him a lot of upside. He's just searching for consistency within ECU's defense right now. He trended up towards the end of preseason camp with multiple picks in his live scrimmage reps. So look for Wilson-Lamp to get a shot in the cornerback rotation at some point this season, and to play a good bit on special teams.

If one had to draw up a tight end specimen in a lab, Conner's physique would be a good one to base it off. The 6-4, 230-pounder looks the part of a top tight end, but he didn't play it much at all in high school, and he's still learning as a redshirt freshman. So there's been an adjustment period. He's also in a tight end room that's very good, and has two seniors on the depth chart next to him. So Conner's snaps may be a bit limited to begin with. But he's too talented to keep off the field entirely. He will see some action and have a chance to make an impact right away in the Purple and Gold.

McKenzie is entering his sixth year of college football after a five-year run at Ohio State. He was a reserve defensive tackle with the Buckeyes, but one that performed well when called upon. The North Carolina native returned home looking for more playing time, but also eager to play in front of his friends and family more often (he's a native of Wake Forest, North Carolina). While he isn't expected to start ahead of seniors Elijah Morris and D'Anta Johnson, the Pirates expect McKenzie to play a lot. ECU rotates the defensive line often, and McKenzie will be a part of that strong group.

There are a handful of former high school four-star recruits on this year's incoming transfer list, and Wilson is among them as well as a former top recruit out of King Mountain High School in the western part of the state. Wilson spent the last three seasons at Missouri, where he was a part-time starter with mixed results. He came to ECU looking for a fresh start and the chance to be more of a full-time contributor. Although he's currently No. 2 on the depth chart at 'mike' linebacker behind Zakye Barker, Wilson has shown great progress in camp and looks like one of the team's top three inside linebackers. Expect him to get a lot of run early this season, with the chance to increase his snaps as he continues to get comfortable in the defense.

Jones is not expected to start right away for the Pirates, but he should be one of the first reserve interior offensive linemen off the bench. The 6-4, 300-pounder is entering his redshirt sophom*ore season after transferring in from Houston. He's repped at both guard and center this preseason, and looks like a potential contributor at either spot in case of injury or need.

Gibson was a part-time contributor as a nickel back for Maryland the last two seasons, playing 118 defensive snaps in 2023 and 197 as a true freshman in 2022, and grading out pretty solid both years. He now enters the 2024 season - his first at ECU - expecting to play a similar role as a hybrid nickel/linebacker. With Kingston McKinstry banged up this preseason, Gibson has gotten a ton of reps and looks like the potential starter on Aug. 31. Gibson, McKinstry and true freshman Kevon Merrell are all expected to play a role at this position at the season moves on. And it's a vital position to execute in Blake Harrell's defensive scheme.

Kelly transferred to ECU in the spring for his sixth and final year of eligibility, and he comes to Greenville with a ton of experience under his belt. He served as Ole Miss' top tight end before under Baker in Oxford, and he's been a 2, 3 and 4 before on the depth chart. He's served all type of roles, and has just about seen it all. With Shane Calhoun's departure back in the spring, Kelly took over the likely starting role in the room, though he's expected to share the field with fellow senior Tyler Savage, Conner, and Desirrio Riles. Nonetheless, expect Kelly to play a vital role in this year's offense.

Craig did not play a ton at Louisville, primarily serving as a backup defensive end, but the rising redshirt junior was a coveted target by East Carolina's staff as part of the 2021 cycle for a reason. ECU feels the 6-3, 235-pounder's skill-set is an ideal fit for its standup outside linebacker position. And Craig has shown why since coming over as a transfer. Jeremy Lewis will certainly be missed, but Craig's pass-rushing ability from that role should help ECU a lot. The Louisville transfer is currently the expected starter at his position defensively, though Samuel Dankah will also get a lot of reps there.

A two-year starter the last few seasons at Maine, Bell entered the portal and is now in line to start with the Pirates. He played tackle all of last year for the Black Bears, but has been repping at left guard from Day 1 in spring practice with the Pirates under new offensive line coach Matt Mattox, and has essentially held onto the position all along. Last year's starting left guard - Jacob Sacra - is currently sidelined with an injury, making the arrival and presence of Bell all the more important.

Houser may not be starting Week 1, but we're still going to place him very high on this list. History suggests East Carolina will need multiple quarterbacks to get through the season, and given how close the competition was, it seems inevitable Houser will get his shot. He didn't begin last season as the starter with the Spartans, but ultimately got the call and led Michigan State to a few wins in a tumultuous time. We're not betting against Houser playing a key role in this East Carolina football season at some point.

Smith was a part-time receiver at NC State who didn't get a ton of targets, though he did produce pretty well when the ball was thrown his way, averaging nearly 18 yards per catch on 13 career receptions. Smith, 6-3, 190 pounds, is known for his elite speed. He was an all-state track performer in high school who picked up football at a late age. That downfield speed makes him an intriguing threat at the 'X' receiver spot in ECU's offense, which loves to have a vertical option on just about every play. Smith has made several explosive plays this offseason and is in line to start out wide on August 31, potentially in line for a breakthrough season.

Wright was one of the team's biggest transfer portal additions back in December. A former all-conference return man and slot receiver at West Virginia, Wright was a big-time transfer pickup for Florida State ahead of the 2022 season. But a car accident led to a broken leg that forced Wright to miss the entire season, and he never quite regained enough momentum in 2023 to start again. That led him to the portal, where he picked East Carolina for his final year of eligibility. Wright has been nothing but consistent and productive in practice since arriving in Greenville. He's projected to begin the year as the starting slot receiver in ECU's offense, and top kick returner. He should get no shortage of touches.

QB1 is No. 1 on the list, because the Pirates need consistent and steady play from their signal-caller in 2024. It will be Garcia to start off with, as the former Miami and Missouri quarterback is on his third stop in college in what he calls "do or die time" for his football journey. While we still expect Houser to play this season, the ideal scenario is for Garcia to have success from Day 1, and never look back as the next great quarterback at East Carolina. How realistic is that? Time will tell. But Garcia has all the charisma any team wants in their starting quarterback. He also has the skill-set, as he's got a very strong arm and good accuracy. How he handles the pressure of being "the guy" and how he manages being the point guard of this fast-paced offense that distributes the ball around will ultimately dictate the success he has.