East Carolina welcomes head coach Scottie Montgomery, who had been the offensive coordinator for the most successful era at Duke in program history.
QB Philip Nelson started 16 games at Minnesota from 2012-13 and could emerge as the Pirates’ starter in 2016. Nelson threw nine touchdown passes and rushed for six TDs in 2013.
WR Zay Jones, a fourth-year starter, enters 2016 in third place on East Carolina’s career receptions (241) and receiving yards (2,553) charts.
East Carolina has made eight bowl appearances in the last 10 seasons. The Pirates dropped four of their last five games in 2015 to miss the postseason for the first time since 2011.