Ashton Gray News, Rumors, Updates - East Carolina Pirates

Engleman runs for 107 yards and a TD in East Carolina's 17-9 win over Temple

TJ Engleman Jr. ran for 107 yards including a second-half touchdown that helped East Carolina defeat Temple 17-9 on Saturday

4 HOURS AGO • Associated Press

Finds end zone in overtime loss Gray posted nine rushes for 25 yards and one touchdown and caught all three targets for 39 yards during Thursday's 41-34 overtime defeat against Memphis.

Impact Gray had been quiet since returning from injury in Week 6, but he managed to score his first touchdown of the season on a one-yard rushing score. The running back has split backfield duties with TJ Engleman since returning, though Engleman has carved out a larger role after thriving while Gray was sidelined. He has notched nine carries in back-to-back games while displaying his ability as a pass catcher by hauling in all three of his targets for 39 yards. It remains evident that Engleman is the starter, but Gray is positioned to see steady carries behind him moving forward.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Marcus Stokes has 5 total TDs after halftime, Memphis rallies to beat ECU 34-31 in OT

Marcus Stokes was 29-of-43 passing for 320 yards and three touchdowns and added two rushing TDs to help Memphis beat East Carolina 41-34 in overtime

OCTOBER 23 • Associated Press

Good to go Saturday Gray is available for Saturday's game versus Rice, per the AAC availability report.

Impact Gray, who has not played since Week 3 due to an undisclosed injury, will be back in action Saturday. He rushed 32 times for 152 yards across the first three games of the season, so he's expected to have a big role in his return to the field.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Close to returning Head coach Blake Harrell said Gray (undisclosed) is close to returning to action for East Carolina, per 94.3 The Game.

Impact Gray suffered an injury against Old Dominion in Week 3 and was scheduled to undergo an MRI. It appears that the running back is progressing well, considering Harrell's comments. In his stead, TJ Engleman has stepped into a larger role in the backfield. The running back will aim to return against Rice on Oct. 10, utilizing the upcoming bye week to continue recovering.

SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Will undergo MRI East Carolina head coach Blake Harrell said Gray (undisclosed) will undergo an MRI on Monday, per 94.3 The Game.

Impact Gray went on to say that Gray played against Old Dominion this past Saturday after suffering the injury that will lead to an MRI. The starting running back's availability moving forward is contingent on the results of the scan.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Heavy workload in defeat Gray logged 16 carries for 99 yards and caught one of two targets for 9 yards during Saturday's 27-24 loss against Appalachian State.

Impact Gray redeemed himself after an underwhelming Week 1, falling just shy of the century mark. The running back handled a heavy workload on the Pirates' second offensive possession before being stopped short of the goal line, allowing Michael Allen to punch in a one-yard score. He did outperform Allen (4-12-1), positioning himself as the lead back for East Carolina.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Malachi Singleton passes for 267 yards and rushes for a TD to lead App State past ECU 27-24

Malachi Singleton passed for 267 yards and had one of three Appalachian State rushing touchdowns as the Mountaineers beat East Carolina 27-24 for their fourth straight win in the s...

SEPTEMBER 12 • Associated Press

Stuffed by Alabama defense Gray posted six carries for 15 yards during Saturday's 48-10 loss versus Alabama.

Impact Gray and fellow running backs could not get anything going Saturday, picking up just two yards overall. He tied for a team-high six carries alongside Michael Allen, as both running backs are positioned to share a co-starter role. The junior tailback is seeking redemption against Appalachian State next Saturday, where he will look to produce a more efficient game in the backfield.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as starter on depth chart Gray is listed as the starting running back on the team's depth chart ahead of Saturday's game against Alabama, 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Gray transferred in from North Texas in search of more playing opportunity and appears to have earned himself a shot at a starting role on the offense. The junior running back totaled 58 carries for 377 yards (6.5 yards-per-carry) and five touchdowns across 10 games last season. TJ Engleman is listed as the net man up.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Three backs in mix for carries Gray, Michael Allen and TJ Engelman are all viewed as starting-caliber backs by the staff, Stephen Igoe of 247Sports reports.

Impact Gray is viewed as a potential breakout candidate for the Pirates, but it doesn't appear as though he has a firm grasp on a starting role with the season under two weeks away. It's quite possible there will be more of a split backfield to open the season than initially anticipated, though Gray should still get an opportunity to grab the lead role.

AUGUST 20 • ROTOWIRE

Could emerge as workhorse back Gray could be a workhorse back for East Carolina in the 2026 season, per Stephen Igoe of 247Sports (on the G5 Hive Podcast).

Impact Gray committed to ECU after spending the 2025 season at North Texas, where he rushed 58 times for 377 yards and five touchdowns. He seems to be well ahead of the pack from his teammates, and it wouldn't be shocking if he ends up being deployed as a three-down back and a regular fixture in the Pirates' offense.

AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE

Joining ECU Gray has committed to ECU, he announced via his personal X account.

Impact Gray rushed 58 times for 377 yards and five touchdowns during the 2025 season with North Texas. However, the Mean Green underwent a coaching change, and Gray will now get a fresh start with the Pirates.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Plans to leave Mean Green Gray plans to enter the transfer portal, Hayes Fawcett of On3.com reports.

Impact Gray will leave North Texas after a solid redshirt freshman campaign with the program. The 6-foot running back logged 58 carries for 377 yards and one touchdown in the 2025 season. He'll have three years of eligibility left.

DECEMBER 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Scores two touchdowns Gray had 16 rushes for 152 yards and two touchdowns and reeled in their only target for nine yards during Saturday's 49-47 win against San Diego State.

Impact North Texas' run game has always yielded high productivity, but Gray never had the chance to step up. But with the Mean Green down their top-two rushers, Caleb Hawkins and Makenzie McGill, their aforementioned teammate was given an opportunity. In doing so, Gray updated his career-bests in carries, rushing yards and touchdowns all during UNT's bowl game. During 2025, he logged 58 carries for 377 yards (6.5 averaged per carry) and five TDs.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

No. 23 North Texas Outlasts San Diego State to Win High-Scoring New Mexico Bowl

Running back Caleb Hawkins accounted for three touchdowns to help guide the Mean Green to a win over the Aztecs on Saturday night

DECEMBER 28, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

No. 23 North Texas Outlasts San Diego State to Win High-Scoring New Mexico Bowl

Tulane tops North Texas 34-21 in American Conference title game for a likely CFP bid

Jake Retzlaff rushed for two short touchdowns, Jamauri McClure rushed for 121 yards and a score, and Tulane defeated North Texas 34-21 in the American Conference championship game...

DECEMBER 6, 2025 • Associated Press

Freshman Drew Mestemaker throws for school-record 608 yards in North Texas' 54-20 win over Charlotte

Redshirt freshman Drew Mestemaker passed for a school-record 608 yards with four touchdowns and North Texas scored 37 unanswered points to beat Charlotte 54-20

OCTOBER 25, 2025 • Associated Press

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