Will open first active campaign with Pirates vying for a depth chart position in the secondary ... In addition, is expected to play a role on special teams unit ... Contributed stellar work as scout team performer during redshirt season ... Credited with one tackle and a pass breakup during program's first intra-squad scrimmage (3/28) before adding a pair of stops during second contest (4/4) ... Did not record statistics during weather-abbreviated Purple-Gold Game (4/12). 2007: Redshirted during initial season in ECU program ... Officially signed with Skip Holtz' program in February, 2007. High School: A four-year letterman and three-year starter who starred as a safety and cornerback for Dudley High School ... Earned 2006 Triad 3-A Conference Defensive Player-of-the-Year honors after netting 61 tackles, nine pass deflections, a pair of sacks and seven interceptions as a senior ... Booked 62 stops and three interceptions for the Panthers as a junior ... Filled special teams role as one of program's top returners, bringing back two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2005 ... Wrapped up prep career with three interception returns for scores ... Responded positively to perhaps toughest assignment of career, holding North Carolina's top-rated receiver Dwight Jones (Cummings HS) to only 53 reception yards ... Coach was Steven Davis ... Ranks No. 56 on the ESPN Recruit Tracker among all national cornerbacks ... Has recorded a time of 4.4 in the 40-yard dash ... Possesses a 29.0" vertical leap ... Also earned three letters as a track standout, competing primarily in the 100-meter, 200-meter and relay events. Personal: Full name is Derek Deontay Blacknall ... Born February 8, 1989 at Greensboro, N.C. ... Undecided on college major ... Son of Diana Bass and step-father John Bass. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
