Holtz discusses status of ECU players

ECU coach Skip Holtz called them the "elephant in the room" and he was quick to answer questions about the status of several players who were either suspended last season or during the spring.

Running back Jonathan Williams, running back Norman Whitley, cornerback Emanuel Davis and guard Doug Palmer are all back on the team and eligible to play in the opener against Appalachian State on Sept. 5.

Receiver Jamar Bryant, who was suspended after the fifth game last season, is not on the suspension list but will be with the team this season. Defensive end Allen Crowder will not, he was suspended for the season.

Holtz announced four other players have left the program: receiver D.J. McFadden, linebacker Lorenzo Osborne, safety Julian Carter and cornerback DeAndre Jones.

Holtz is also waiting for senior kicker Ben Hartman and junior-college running back Giavanni Ruffin to report to camp. Hartman, who kicked game-winners against Tulsa last year and UNC and Boise State in 2007, is dealing with hip injury and is out indefinitely, Holtz said.

Ruffin is waiting for word from the NCAA Clearinghouse.

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Lastly, on the comings-and-goings list, Holtz said two players have switched positions. Rob Kass will go from quarterback to tight end and Cliff Perryman will switch from linebacker to defensive end.

Kass' move means redshirt freshman Josh Jordan will be Patrick Pinkney's backup. Freshman Rio Johnson is also in the backup rotation.

-- J.P. Giglio