East Carolina football may retain a key piece of its roster, as starting quarterback Katin Houser is reportedly rethinking his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal. After initially announcing plans to leave following the 2025 season, Houser has reconsidered staying with the Pirates due to limited interest from the Power Five programs he preferred.
Houser, in his second season at ECU, has put together an impressive campaign, throwing for 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns, completing 65.9% of his passes (269 of 408) with six interceptions. His performance ranks him 11th nationally in total passing yards and 12th in passing yards per game, making him one of the most productive quarterbacks in the Group of Five. He also started the 2024 Military Bowl, leading ECU to a 26-21 victory over NC State, showcasing his ability to perform in high-pressure situations.
Originally, Houser had planned to move to a Power Five program for greater exposure and competition. However, several of the teams he targeted have not shown strong recruitment interest, prompting him to reconsider staying at East Carolina for the 2026 season. Athletic director Jon Gilbert acknowledged the situation, saying, “We’d love to retain all our key players for next season. Based on how things are shaping up, Katin is thoughtfully considering his next step, and remaining with ECU is very much on the table.”
A potential return would be a significant boost for the Pirates, especially as the team navigates major coaching changes this offseason. Both defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge and offensive coordinator John David Baker departed—Aldridge to South Florida and Baker to Ole Miss—leaving gaps in the coaching staff that will impact preparation for the 2026 season.
Houser’s presence under center would provide stability and continuity for the Pirates’ offense, allowing the team to build around a proven passer who ranked in the top 15 nationally in passing statistics in 2025. Should Houser ultimately decide to transfer, backups redshirt senior Mike Wright and true freshman Chaston Ditta are expected to compete for the starting role.
As East Carolina looks toward the 2026 season, Houser’s final decision will not only affect the Pirates’ immediate competitiveness but also set the tone for the program’s recruiting and offensive strategy moving forward.
