GREENVILLE, N.C. — East Carolina University has bolstered its offensive front by signing a seasoned transfer offensive tackle, adding experience and size to a unit in transition. The move comes as the Pirates work to replace all five starters from last season’s offensive line that helped the team achieve a 9-4 record in 2025.
The incoming lineman brings extensive Division I experience, including a standout 2025 campaign where he started all 13 games at right tackle. He previously demonstrated versatility at McNeese State, rotating between both left and right tackle positions, and has accumulated over 1,200 career snaps throughout his collegiate career.
Now, Hayes Creel, a 6-foot-7, 320-pound lineman from Covington, Louisiana, officially joins ECU after entering the transfer portal late in the 2025 season. Creel, a second-team all-state selection at St. Paul’s School, started 33 career games across Southern Miss and McNeese State, bringing durability and proven talent to the Pirates’ offensive front. He is expected to provide immediate stability and size to the line.
Creel becomes part of a significant incoming transfer class that also includes quarterback Mitch Griffis and offensive lineman Brandon Best. With one year of eligibility remaining, his commitment represents a key win for ECU’s coaching staff as they finalize the roster for the 2026 season.