ECU just picked up a grad transfer from SEMO. (Former Utah Ute)

Bryant Pirtle - 6'2" 227lbs - OLB/DE

"Southeast Missouri State graduate DE/OLB transfer Bryant Pirtle has announced his commitment to attend East Carolina University. The Louisville, Ken., native and well-traveled college edge rusher will bring some much-needed experience to ECU's defensive front on the edge, which has been a position of need for the Pirates this offseason. He will have one season of eligibility remaining in Greenville.

Pirtle spent the last two seasons at Southeast Missouri State, where he accumulated 70 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Pirtle previously spent a season at the University of Utah in 2018 before heading to the FCS level. Prior to his time at Utah, Pirtle was a standout at Pima Community College in Arizona."

Pirtle played at DeSales High School in Kentucky, where he was named a Second-Team All-State selection by the Associated Press. He then attended Pima C.C., where he racked up 72 tackles with six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as a sophomore in 2017. That led to Pirtle being highly-recruited at the Division I level, where he landed offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Oregon, Arizona and more before ultimately committing to Utah. Pirtle played in three games on special teams for the Utes in 2018 before transferring to SE Missouri State.

On film, Pirtle shows the ability to bend off the edge with power and play with solid speed. While he can get after the quarterback, he's particularly strong at setting the edge and containing the running game. His experience should help a younger position group heading into the season for the Pirates.