Pirates land commitment No. 10
East Carolina officially picked up the tenth commitment for the 2011 class on Saturday. The latest addition for the Pirates hails from in-state.
"I actually probably committed about a week ago, but officially did it yesterday," Winston-Salem (N.C.) Parkland running back Chris Hairston said. "I talked to all the coaches since I went down for a visit.
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"They were very excited and very happy. They wanted me really bad. Coach McNeill welcomed me to the family and said he can't wait to get me on board, he was glad I'm a Pirate since I am the No. 1 running back they wanted out of the running backs they were recruiting."
Hairston had been favoring the Pirates recently and discussed what made him finally pull the trigger.
"Basically, it's far from home, but not too far. My family can still make it to games and I can still go home and visit," he said. "I liked the atmosphere on campus, I felt at home. I like how they are expanding everything and how much people in that city care about the football team.
"The coaches also said they are going to take care of me, I just have to do my part and everything will be ok. I'm going to get playing time, I just got to want it."
Hairston went further about the new staff at East Carolina.
"They are very family-oriented and very nice," he said. "I like the way they talk and they make me feel at home like I'm one of their kids."
The Carolina tailback will get a chance to earn playing time as soon as he arrives on campus.
"They told me it's wide open, I just have to come in ready, it's all up to me."
In addition, Hairston is considering graduating early and enrolling in January.
"I'm thinking about enrolling early, but I won't find out for sure until I sit down with my counselor this fall."
Overall, Hairston is thrilled with his choice.
"I'm happy and it feels like the place for me," he said. "They just had a running back not too recently make it to the NFL in Chris Johnson and I look forward now playing for the Pirates."