GREENVILLE — As the 2009 version of the East Carolina Pirate football team prepares for its season, two former Richmond Senior players are waiting to see if they will be able to don the purple and gold.

Wide receiver Jamar Bryant and running back Norman Whitley helped the Pirates to a Conference USA title and a berth in the Liberty Bowl last year.

Bryant appeared in the first five games of the year, grabbed 19 passes and three for touchdowns before being suspended for violating an undisclosed team rule. Despite his suspension, Bryant was able to participate in practices but not in games.

Whitley appeared in all 14 games for East Carolina during the 2008-2009 season and started five games. He led the team in rushing with 698 yards and added four touchdowns. Whitley was penciled in as the starting tailback for the 2009 season when he missed spring practice because of personal reasons.

According to ECU Head Coach Skip Holtz, Bryant still has to meet some additional stipulations before returning to the team, while Whitley needs to rebound from an injury and was placed on the injuried list.

“At this point, Jamar Bryant is not eligible for the first game,” Holtz said. “I’ll keep you updated as we go with that. At this point, he has done everything he was supposed to do, but he still has some things he has to do before that suspension is lifted.

“We have seven players who are here in camp on rehab. A rehabbing player in camp cannot participate, practice or attend any team meetings. They can only be here to fulfill their requirements to meet with head athletic trainer Mike Hanley and strength and conditioning director Mike Golden. Norman Whitley has had some hip and groin complications during the course of the summer and is here in rehab, doing what he has to do to turn and get back out on the field.”

Despite Whitley’s setback, Holtz expects Whitley to be in the battle for playing time at a crowded running back position.

“We have four guys who are completing out there right now,” Holtz said. “We just don’t know what we’re going to get out of that position right now. Dominique Lindsay is coming off a knee injury and is doing a really nice job. We also have J.R. Rogers, who has been able to show how far he has come as a running back, as well as, Brandon Jackson and Jon Williams. All four of them are in top form right now. We also anticipate Norman Whitley’s return once school starts.”

While Whitley looks to battle his way back into playing shape, as well as, move up the depth chart, Bryant is slated to be one of the starters at wide receiver. Bryant admitted it was tough for him to be on the sidelines last season.

“It was real difficult, I made a mistake and I had to live with it and learn from it,” Bryant said. “It helped me grow up a little bit and humble myself. Just going out there and watching every game Saturday, I wanted to be out there, but I couldn’t.”

Bryant was told by the coaching staff he was going from the first team offense down to the scout team.

“Last year once I got suspensed they (the coaching staff) told me I had to be on the scout team,” he said. “My role was to make sure the secondary was prepared for the next game. At first, I had to get adjusted to it. I had never been on a scout team before. After a while, I understood it was my punishment, but I was still helping the team.”

Editor’s note: Due to NCAA regulations, Whitley was unavailable for comment.