East Carolina University football players Jackson Barker and Triston O’Brien have been recognized for excellence both on the field and in the classroom, earning spots on the 2025 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All‑District Team, the Pirates’ athletics department announced.
Jackson Barker, a linebacker and exercise physiology major, maintained a 3.55 GPA while contributing significantly on defense and special teams during the 2025 season. He appeared in all 13 games for ECU, recording 21 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and two fumble recoveries, including a pivotal turnover in the Pirates’ Military Bowl victory over Pittsburgh. Barker had previously earned CSC recognition in 2023 and was also named The American’s STEM Scholar‑Athlete in 2025, highlighting his commitment to academics as well as athletics.
Triston O’Brien, a graduate student who earned his master’s degree in business administration in December 2025, posted a remarkable 3.87 GPA. On the field, O’Brien served as ECU’s long snapper in all 13 games, delivering precise snaps on 48 punts, 19 field goal attempts, and 51 PATs. His contributions were crucial for ECU’s special teams, helping place 10 punts inside the 20-yard line and contributing to 101 points for the unit over the season.
To qualify for CSC Academic All‑District honors, student-athletes must maintain at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA while also starting or playing a significant role on their team. Barker and O’Brien’s recognition reflects their dedication to both athletic performance and academic achievement.
Being named to the All‑District team also makes both players candidates for CSC Academic All‑America honors, a national accolade that recognizes student-athletes who excel at the highest level academically and athletically.
The recognition of Barker and O’Brien continues ECU’s tradition of celebrating players who succeed both in the classroom and on the field. As the Pirates look ahead to spring practices and the 2026 season, these honors highlight the culture of excellence the program seeks to cultivate in all its student-athletes.
