East Carolina Pirates Football Offseason Preview

The 2021 East Carolina Pirates lost some very difficult games it could have won, but on balance, the season was a success for the Pirates, who qualified for a bowl game before it was wiped out by COVID-19 complications. The Pirates ended the year 7-5. They could have gone 9-3, and their fans know the year could have been better than it was, but the team also could have finished 5-7, so on balance, the Pirates achieved several baseline goals and knew that they put forth a commendable effort.

East Carolina’s offense was not dynamic, averaging under 30 points per game. The Pirates’ offense stalled in a number of close games which cost the team the extra wins referred to above. However, the defense did well, allowing an average of fewer than 27 points per game and giving the team a chance to win even when the offense wasn’t firing on all cylinders. ECU scored important late-season victories over Memphis and Navy to produce a winning record for 2021, but an overtime loss to Houston and a 20-16 loss to UCF were real missed opportunities to build up the record and get a better bowl bid.

Incoming receiver transfer Jaylen Johnson and offensive lineman Parker Moorer will try to boost an offense which was too inconsistent for the Pirates’ liking. We will see if ECU can evolve in 2022 and get more from its offense.

Key Personnel Lost

Cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian is the best player from the 2021 roster who won’t return in 2022. This is partly a commentary on how much the 2021 offense didn’t max out. The defense was the better side of the ball for this team. The offense has to join the party in 2022.

Important Incoming Freshmen

Offensive lineman Jacob Sacra is a three-star prospect who could give this offensive unit more energy and toughness this season. Linebacker Samuel Dankah has size and reach and could give this defense a boost in both pass coverage and run support.

Key Position Battles

Wide receiver is where this team needs to see improvement. Fifth-year player Holton Ahlers is back at quarterback, which could be seen as an advantage for the program given his experience and his familiarity with the offense. Coach Mike Houston won’t have to teach the offense to a new and unproven player. However, Ahlers has been inconsistent in his ECU career. His return can also be perceived as a sign that there is no one better in the pipeline at quarterback. Given that point of uncertainty, what really matters is for receivers to step up and make life easier for Ahlers. This is how the offense can score 35 points per game and increase this team’s upside.

Biggest Offseason Goal(s)

Giving Holton Ahlers the resources he needs to max out in his final season at ECU is the biggest goal this team has, on the path toward improvement and becoming more of a factor in the AAC. Ahlers is not a great quarterback, but he has had brilliant moments at times in his career. Finding ways for Ahlers to become a more regularly productive quarterback is the key to unlocking the potential of this offense and, by extension, this team.