2025 EDGE Zion Cooley declares his dedication to ECU

Saturday marked a significant day for the future EDGE group at East Carolina University, focusing on outside linebackers and defensive ends. Early in the day, three-star defensive end Amari

Wilson, hailing from Colquitt County in Georgia, announced his commitment. Later in the evening, Zion Cooley, a versatile athlete and product of Carrollton High School in Georgia, also declared his commitment to East Carolina.

Cooley, who played defensive end and tight end for Carrollton while excelling in track and field, brings a dynamic skill set to the Pirates. East Carolina hosted a total of 10 official visitors over the past 72 hours, with Cooley, Wilson,

and linebacker Kendric Davis from Charlotte announcing their commitments. Additional commitments are anticipated in the days ahead.

Zion Cooley, originally offered by defensive coordinator Blake Harrell during the winter recruiting period on January 23, 2024, was recruited by first-year ECU defensive ends/outside linebackers coach Rico Zackery. His recruitment

saw interest from several other programs including UAB, Georgia State, FAU, Georgia Southern, Troy, Navy, and South Alabama.

Given his athleticism and versatility, Cooley is likely to play the outside linebacker position in East Carolina’s

defensive scheme. This role typically requires the ability to rush the passer, set the edge in run defense, and drop into coverage.

East Carolina’s 2025 commitment list now includes nine confirmed verbal commitments. Alongside Cooley and

Wilson, it features Kendric Davis, Eddie Love Jr. (running back from Fort Walton Beach, FL), Durante Speer (safety

from Columbia High School, GA), Connor Hodge (wide receiver from Christian Academy of Louisville, KY), Johnny

Williams (wide receiver from Havelock, NC), Jonathan Stokes (offensive lineman from Randleman, NC), and Chaston Ditta (quarterback from Lake Travis, TX).

As of now, East Carolina’s recruiting class ranks 72nd nationally at the FBS level according to 247Sports.