East Carolina football hopes late-season momentum can carry over into 2021

Defense returns 10 starters, but must improve drastically

There were not many bright spots on the East Carolina defense last season, but they had some young players and they return 10 starters.

The defensive line is a very young unit, but they are not without talent. Damir Faison is back on the edge and he will alongside Rick D’Abreu and Elijah Morris on the inside. The new starter that will be at end will be Immanuel Hickman, a freshman they really like. The line was not great at rushing the passer last season and that is something that is going to need to be better in 2021.

The linebackers are probably the best unit on the defense. Xavier Smith was the leading tackler for the Pirates last season with 72 and he also chipped in 2.5 sacks. Jireh Wilson was the other starter at linebacker and he led the Pirates in sacks with 3.5. Bruce Bivens is the other projected starter and it is easy to see why this defense could improve behind this linebacker group.

Ja’Quan McMillian is back to lead the secondary and he led the team with four interceptions last season. Malik Fleming is the other projected starting corner and he is a young guy with potential. The safety group is welcoming back Warren Saba and Shawn Dourseau.

The defense returns plenty of experience, but that does not necessarily correlate with improvement.