Myrtle Beach RB Michael Cohen Recaps ECU Visit: “It Felt Like Home”
Myrtle Beach RB Michael Cohen Recaps ECU Visit: “It Felt Like Home”
Class of 2026 running back Michael Cohen made the trip to Greenville this week, and East Carolina’s spring practice left a lasting impression. The 5-foot-9, 190-pound Myrtle Beach standout — who boasts a 4.46 40-yard dash, 500-pound squat and deadlift, 350-pound bench press, and a 3.7 GPA — said the moment he stepped on the field, it felt right.
“The culture and support is absolutely amazing there,” Cohen told The Pirate Pulse. “It felt like family. The smell of the grass and field felt like home to me.”
Below, Cohen breaks down his ECU visit in a full Q&A:
Q1: What was your overall impression of ECU’s spring practice — what stood out right away?
The culture and support is absolutely amazing there, felt like family, the smell of the grass and field felt like home to me.
Q2: Watching practice up close, what did you notice about the pace and physicality of the team?
The structure, discipline, and work ethic was top notch. Everyone knew their assignments with an upbeat pace — no laziness, absolute hustle between drills and scrimmages.
Q3: As a running back, what did you see from that position group — anything catch your eye?
At my position, it’s always important to have a good coach and teacher. Coach Freeman shows his knowledge and provides great leadership, which the guys respect and learn from. The drills were spot on — they practiced and then delivered in scrimmages.
Q4: How did the coaching staff treat you during the visit — any specific conversations that stuck with you?
The coaching staff was out of this world. The first person to come up was Head Coach Blake Harrell, which never happens — especially at big schools where you usually get lost in the crowd. I also enjoyed a long conversation with the Director of Recruiting about the process and what to expect. The running backs coach shared expectations and how the position is coached. It felt personal, warm, and inviting — like family.
Q5: What was it like seeing the offensive system live — do you think your style would fit well in that backfield?
The offensive system was incredible to watch. It felt like a balanced run-pass combo, which I love because I’m a dual-threat. I’m great not only running the ball, but also catching out of the backfield — which I saw a lot of. I would fit in great here.
Q6: Did you get a chance to speak with any current players or hear what it’s really like to be a Pirate?
Absolutely. I enjoyed speaking with OLB Jackson Barker and Kendrick Davis. They were working out after practice, and I picked their brain about the recruiting process and being a Pirate. They absolutely love it — the brotherhood, the family feeling, and the support is out of this world. We also compared lifting stats — I think they were a little shocked about me benching 350, deadlifting 500, and squatting over 500 at 5’9”, 190 pounds. Cool moment.
Q7: What part of the visit made the biggest impact on you — the stadium, practice tempo, facilities?
So hard to narrow it down honestly — the whole experience was just amazing. From the stadium to the practices and the family support, it felt like home and I loved that. I absolutely see myself as a Pirate.
Q8: How does ECU compare to some of the other programs you’ve visited or been in contact with?
Honestly, it felt like home and very inviting. The hospitality and experience was like no other compared to other schools. The personal relationships and the feeling of being a Pirate felt so real — I haven’t had that anywhere else yet.
Q9: Did this visit change how you view ECU and your potential future there?
Yes — it made me realize I want to be a Pirate.
Q10: What are your next steps — more visits, camps, or narrowing down your options soon?
I’m going into my junior year, keeping options open and being patient when making my decision. But I’m narrowing things down slowly with more visits and camps still planned.
