Myrtle Beach's Sumpter headed to East Carolina to play football

Myrtle Beach junior wide receiver Donte Sumpter committed Tuesday to play college football at East Carolina.

While East Carolina is the only scholarship offer Sumpter has received to this point, Myrtle Beach coach Mickey Wilson thinks it is a perfect fit for his leading receiver.

"They have a new coaching staff, and a lot of the people on that staff were on that Texas Tech staff," Wilson said. "So they are committed to throwing the ball, kind of like we do. They are trying to get a lot of receivers to fit their style.
"Once they saw the tape of [Sumpter], they fell in love with him."

Sumpter had 78 catches for 1,103 yards and 14 touchdowns last season as the Seahawks went 13-2, losing in the Class AAA state championship game.

Sumpter is listed at 6-foot, 175 pounds and Wilson said he runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash.

East Carolina's offer came in early March, and it was believed Sumpter would wait until his senior season to make a college choice.

"He went up and visited the school right after the offer was made," Wilson said. "He came back, thought about if for a few weeks and decided that was a good fit for him. I think it is going to be a good place for him."

New East Carolina head coach Ruffin McNeill, who replaced Skip Holtz in January, was the interim head coach at Texas Tech following Mike Leach's dismissal at the end of last season. McNeill, who had been on the Tech staff for 10 seasons, brought with him to East Carolina several key members of the Tech offensive staff that was known for its innovative offensive style that included putting the ball in the air as much as possible.

"They have a new coaching staff, and a lot of the people on that staff were on that Texas Tech staff," Wilson said. "So they are committed to throwing the ball, kind of like we do. They are trying to get a lot of receivers to fit their style.
"Once they saw the tape of [Sumpter], they fell in love with him."

Sumpter had 78 catches for 1,103 yards and 14 touchdowns last season as the Seahawks went 13-2, losing in the Class AAA state championship game.

Sumpter is listed at 6-foot, 175 pounds and Wilson said he runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash.

East Carolina's offer came in early March, and it was believed Sumpter would wait until his senior season to make a college choice.

"He went up and visited the school right after the offer was made," Wilson said. "He came back, thought about if for a few weeks and decided that was a good fit for him. I think it is going to be a good place for him."

New East Carolina head coach Ruffin McNeill, who replaced Skip Holtz in January, was the interim head coach at Texas Tech following Mike Leach's dismissal at the end of last season. McNeill, who had been on the Tech staff for 10 seasons, brought with him to East Carolina several key members of the Tech offensive staff that was known for its innovative offensive style that included putting the ball in the air as much as possible.