ROCKINGHAM — J.D. Lampley traded his Raider diamond for a skull and crossbones on Wednesday during National Signing Day.
The three-star Richmond Raider recruit inked his National Letter of Intent to join the East Carolina University Pirates in front of a large crowd in the school’s media center.
Lampley became the sixth Richmond Senior High School football player in the past two years to sign with a Division I program during the early signing period. In 2020, five former players signed with App State, Campbell, N.C. State (2) and UNC.
A 6-4, 290-pound defensive tackle, Lampley’s loyalty stayed true to ECU after nearly two years of recruitment. The Pirates were the first (of 15 eventual programs) to make Lampley an offer during the spring of his sophomore year, and he verbally committed after an official visit in June.
“I was happy to sign and I turned in my NLI at 7:01 a.m. this morning to Coach (Roy) Tesh,” Lampley said. “I’m excited to officially be a Pirate. It was special this afternoon celebrating with my teammates, coaches, family and friends.”
During his senior season this past fall with the Raiders (10-2), Lampley led a defense that allowed just 18.1 points per game and helped clich Richmond’s fourth-straight conference title.
He had 57 total tackles (12th in the SAC) and led the conference in tackles-for-loss (22.0), quarterback hurries (16) and quarterback sacks (8.0). Lampley was named to his second All-SAC team and notched four pass deflections, had three fumble recoveries (one for a score), forced one fumble and blocked one punt.
The three-year varsity starter, who was also used in special offensive packages as a senior, was selected to the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and the Carolina Bowl, two senior showcase postseason teams.
Richmond head coach Bryan Till, who coached Lampley during his three varsity seasons, said Lampley fits the mold of what ECU players should be.
“ECU was the first school to offer J.D. and have really appreciated his ability from day one,” Till said. “I think they are building a hard-nosed blue collar football team and that is the type of player that J.D. is, so he will fit in from day one.
“He is an extremely hard worker and plays with a high motor, and I know that Coach (Mike) Houston expects that from his guys,” Till added.
According to its website, ECU had a total of 18 players sign on Wednesday, including four defensive linemen.
Lampley will join an ECU program that finished the 2021 regular season with a 7-5 overall record. The Pirates earned fourth place in the American Athletic Conference (5-3) and are going bowling for the first time since 2015, set to play in the Military Bowl against Boston College.
Houston led James Madison University to back-to-back Division I FCS Football Championship appearances in 2016 and 2017, winning the title in 2016. Lampley said he’s excited to be a part of that winning culture and the turnaround happening at ECU.
“I feel like I’ve played in a bunch of big, close games in high school, and that has prepared me for college,” Lampley said. “A lot of those games we came out on top, and the few that we lost, I was able to learn from that.
“Playing in those high-caliber games will help me adjust more quickly to the next level,” he continued. “I’m excited to get to ECU and get to work, and I’m ready to be a part of the culture Coach Houston has created.”
Milton Swinnie, who has coached the Richmond defensive line, said it’s a great day when any of the Raiders use their athletic abilities to further their education. He called Lampley “an exceptional student-athlete” and said it’s been a treat for the coaching staff to watch him develop as a football player.
“He’s had an impact defensively since his sophomore season,” Swinnie said. “Once we realized we could line him up anywhere up front, it was extremely beneficial to us. The past two seasons were entertaining because opposing offenses would literally find where he was pre-snap and attempt to attack where he was not.
“J.D. will be greatly missed around here — our loss is East Carolina’s gain,” Swinnie added. “He’s a serious student-athlete, a fan favorite and an even better individual. His parents and grandparents have done an amazing job with him.”
Swinnie expects Lampley will have “no issues” moving forward adjusting to collegiate football strength, speed and power, and called him a “tremendous asset” to the Pirates.
Till added that Lampley’s comfortability with the ECU program will pay dividends for the next four years.
“J.D. has visited numerous times and I know he is comfortable with the school and atmosphere there,” Till shared. “It means a lot to me as his coach to know that he feels at home where he is going.
“I’m also glad he is close enough that his family, and maybe some Raider faithful, can watch him play regularly.”
Lampley will report to Greenville on Jan. 5 as part of early enrollment to get a jumpstart on his career as an ECU Pirate.
“I decided to enroll early so that I can go through spring practice and get a head start on learning the schemes and playbook, and get stronger in the weight room,” Lampley explained.
“I want to thank my parents for all their support in this process, all of my Richmond coaches and teammates for helping me become a better player, and the ECU staff for believing in me and giving me this opportunity,” he closed.
