41. C.J. Struyk - East Carolina

C.J. Struyk - 50    East Carolina    6-2 295

2015: Played in 9 games.
2014: Appeared in four games -- N.C. Central, North Carolina, Cincinnati and Tulsa -- in a reserve role on the offensive line. Helped ECU's offense put up a school record 789 total yards (446/pass, 343/rush) against North Carolina. Member of an unit that surpassed 500 yards of total offense in all four games played in (582/N.C. Central, 789/North Carolina, 579/Cincinnati, 510/Tulsa). Helped provide block protection for two of Shane Carden's five 400-yard passing games (438 vs. Tar Heels, 425 vs. Bearcats).
2013: Started 11 of 13 games at center. Did not open the Florida Atlantic and Ohio (Beef `O' Brady's Bowl) contests. Also served as short snapper on all 26 field goal attempts and 66 PATs. Recorded one tackle (solo) against UAB. Regarded as a key member of an offensive unit that recorded 440 or more yards of total offense in 10 of 13 contests (six of 500-plus, two of 600-plus), with a season-high 625 against UAB. Helped provide running lanes for all four of Vintavious Cooper's 100-yard rushing performances, including a career-best 198 against Ohio as a reserve. Was a cog in a line that earned Beyond Sports Network Offensive Line-of-the-Week honors following North Carolina contest (603 yards on 101 plays). Played a vital role for a system that produced a 4,000-passer (4,139/Shane Carden), a 1,000-yard rusher (1,193/Cooper) and a 1,000-yard receiver (1,284/Justin Hardy). Assisted the Pirates to a No. 7 national rank in third down percentage (51.0), a No. 8 standing in scoring offense (40.2 ppg) and a No. 11 clip in passing offense (328.1 ypg).
2012: Played in 12 of 13 games as a redshirt freshman. Helped contribute to a block-free campaign as ECU connected on 50-of-50 extra-point conversions and 15-of-20 field goal tries.
2011: Did not experience any game action as a redshirt during true freshman year. Contributed to both offensive and special team scout units. Despite walk-on status, intent to enroll was publicly announced during National Signing Day festivities in February.
High School:  Attended West Carteret High School in North Carolina. Started at center and as the long snapper as a senior, helping the Patriots to a 9-4 record and an appearance in the second round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3AA state playoffs -- WCHS's first post-season appearance since 2004. Helped West Carteret to a 5-2 mark and third-place showing in the Coastal Conference. Selected to play for the North Carolina squad in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas following senior season. Earned the starting nod at center for the contest and became just the fourth player from Carteret County to ever play in the game. A NCPreps.com 3A First-Team All-State and All-Coastal Conference selection following final campaign. Named the team's best offensive lineman and strongest man as a senior. Helped the Patriot offense average 31.1 points per contest during 2010 ... West Carteret went 5-6 during junior season and 3-8 as a sophomore. Wrestled for the Patriot program as a freshman and senior.
Personal: Full name is Curtis Roy Struyk, Jr., but prefers to go by C.J.. Born July 7, 1993 at Morehead City, N.C.. Father, Curtis, lettered as a defensive tackle for the Pirate football program in 1984 before a brief NFL career with the New York Giants. Lists hunting and fishing as favorite hobbies. Major is industrial distribution & logistics.