East Carolina had one of the best offenses in college football in 2010 ... and arguably the worst defense. Coach Ruffin McNeill apparently noticed, since the incoming class for the Pirates is heavy on the defensive side of the ball.

But as befitting the high-octane attack that put up big numbers nearly every week, the marquee name plays on the offensive side of the ball.

Running back Chevelle Buie might stand just 5-foot-9 and weigh 170 pounds (and those are the official numbers, which look to be a little generous), but he has world-class speed. So does junior college transfer Reggie Bullock, who also joins the program in time for next season. With them on board, returning quarterback Dominique Davis has a couple of additional big-play threats in his backfield.

He'll need all the ammunition he can get if the defense doesn't get better, but the Pirates staff is hoping that won't be necessary thanks to a group of newcomers that includes eight defensive linemen. Among them are a pair of junior college standouts who could have an impact right away, defensive ends Chris Baker and John Lattimore. Add in four linebackers and three defensive backs, and 15 of the 26 newcomers will be tasked with preventing the other team from scoring.

Showing how important a quick fix was on defense, McNeill went the junior college route to fill key voids. In addition to Baker and Lattimiore, defensive tackle Leroy Vick and linebacker Joseph Blanks will bring experience behind high school ball to the 2011 squad. Bullock is the only such player on the offensive side of the ball. Vick has already enrolled at the school and will participate in spring drills.

That isn't necessarily an approach McNeill plans to take for the long haul.

"We added some junior college players at positions where we need immediate help, but I want to reload here and not rebuild," McNeill said. "I plan on being here a long time. We'll always recruit heavily among the high school ranks. If we have an immediate need, we'll fill it based on the criteria of being from North Carolina or having a staff tie."

But with the Pirates have a core of returning players that is capable of winning Conference USA, that immediate help will be critical in determining the team's chances to get back into the title chase in 2011.

TOP OF THE CLASS

DE Chris Baker (Hinds CC, Greenville, Miss.) -- Baker is one of eight defensive linemen in the incoming class, but he's the best bet to make an early impact. The junior college standout shores up a critical area of need for the Pirates.

RB Chevon Buie (Cocoa HS, Cocoa, Fla.) -- Buie is light on size but very heavy on speed, in the mold of former ECU standout Chris Johnson. There's a need in the backfield in 2011, and Buie will get a chance to show he can contribute early.

DT Leroy Vick (Georgia Military College, hometown: Wilson, N.C.) -- Vick fills an immediate need at defensive tackle. He enrolled at ECU in January, and his participation in spring practice certainly won't hurt his odds of having an early impact.

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