The defensive line is expected to be a strength for the East Carolina Pirates in 2008 due to the presence of proven veterans like Zack Slate, Scotty Robinson, Marcus Hands, Khalif Mitchell, Brandon Setzer and others.

But with seven of the top 11 on ECU’s post-spring practice depth chart set to depart the program over the next two years, re-stocking the talent up front on defense looms as a priority in recruiting this year.

The Pirates took their first step toward meeting those needs in landing the initial commitment for the recruiting Class of 2009.

Michael (pronounced Mik-Ale) Brooks, a defensive tackle from Bartlett Yancey High School in Yanceyville, made his pledge to the Pirates soon after taking in the annual spring practice scrimmage in Greenville on April 12. Brooks was also being recruited by N.C. State and North Carolina, but hadn’t been offered scholarships by those schools.

“There were so many things I liked about East Carolina,’’ Carter said. “First, everyone there was really friendly. It was more like a family down there.

“My (high school) coach and I looked at their depth chart, and that affected my decision. They (ECU coaches) were telling me how many linemen they’d have leaving. I wanted to play early, so that was a factor.

“And, they’re winning. They’ve got two bowl rings (in two years) and they beat Boise State last year (in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl). That was big. They showed they can compete with big-name schools.’’

The 6-foot-3, 290-pound Brooks played on the junior varsity at Bartlett Yancey as a freshman, but has been the varsity’s major defensive force the last two seasons, according to head coach Dennis Bannick.

Brooks earned All-Triad 3-A Conference honors as a junior.

“The last two years on varsity he’s been MVP of the defense,’’ Bannick said. “He’s led the team in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks. He’s been the main reason why in one year we cut our defensive scoring by 300 points.

“He puts pressure on the offense. He’s the quickest guy I’ve coached in 20 years coming off the ball. His first two steps are unbelievable.’’

2010 prospect shines

Most of the state’s top rising senior prospects converged on Chapel Hill last Friday to participate in one of the Nike Training camps.

But it was a rising junior, 6-8, 302-pound offensive lineman Robert Crisp from Chapel Hill, who essentially stole the show. Crisp was the surprise winner of the offensive lineman MVP award at the camp, which also featured Xavier Nixon of Fayetteville’s Jack Britt High. Nixon is regarded as one of the top blocking prospects in the nation for 2009.

Of course, no contact was allowed during the camp, so the honors were based on how players performed in position and one-on-one drills. But at those, Crisp was impressive, according to Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Mike Farrell.

“He was the most consistent offensive lineman there,’’ Farrell said. “He didn’t get beaten. He was always in it and a lot of times he dominated guys whereas some guys dominated one rep and got beat in another.’’

Crisp was one of only about “10 or 12’’ sophomores invited to the Nike camp, Farrell said. About 300 players participated, making it one of the most well-attended of the six Nike camps conducted so far. Six others are scheduled at various locations around the country between now and June 14.

Although Crisp doesn’t have any written scholarship offers yet, he has received verbal offers from East Carolina, Maryland and N.C. State. Farrell believes that number will increase dramatically by next September when those offers can officially be extended to the Class of 2010 members.

“I’ll say this, if you haven’t offered him by September 1 you’ll be behind,’’ Farrell said. “By this time next year he’ll have between 45 and 50 offers.

“He is the best 2010 kid I’ve seen so far.’’

Fayetteville Observer writer Sammy Batten can be reached at battens@fayobserver.com or (910) 486-3534.