East Carolina powers up its secondary with Rice grad transfer Jonathan Jean, a 5’10”, 191-pound defensive back with one year left to shine. After four seasons at Rice, Jean brings 27 games of experience, 56 tackles, 4.5 for loss, five pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
His standout 2023 season saw him start nine of 11 games, racking up 41 tackles, including three for loss. Hailing from Lakeland, Fla., Jean’s versatility at safety and nickel adds veteran depth to a thin ECU backfield. He gave a shoutout to nickels coach Bryan Butterworth in his commitment post on X.
After shining as a near-full-time starter in 2023, Rice grad transfer Jonathan Jean battled injuries in 2024, limiting him to eight games and 143 defensive snaps with eight tackles and a pass breakup. In his standout 2023 season, Jean logged 438 snaps, earning a 63.3 Pro Football Focus defensive grade (average is 60.0). He notched two sacks, 40 tackles, and a 65.0 run defense grade, with 12 stops at or behind the line.
Targeted 34 times, he allowed 24 catches for 270 yards and five touchdowns, per PFF. As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Jean played sparingly, recording five tackles over 67 snaps.
Hailing from Lakeland, Fla., Jean joins fellow Lakeland native Kamaurri McKinley, a redshirt sophomore safety, on the ECU roster. Cornerback Jordy Lowery, from nearby Bartow, Fla., just 20 minutes away, also bolsters the Pirates’ secondary.
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