East Carolina starting quarterback Blake Kemp is opting to leave the Pirate football program according to sources close to the situation.

Kemp started in eight contests under center for the Pirates. He threw for 2,658 yards and 16 touchdowns against 10 interceptions last season.

Where he will end up next season is not known at this time. He could transfer out or choose to finish up his academic career in Greenvile.

In his last game as a Pirate, Kemp connected on 33 of 50 for 315 yards and a touchdown. Cincinnati's Andrew Gantz nailed a 42-yard field goal that stayed just inside the right upright as time expired to lift the Bearcats past East Carolina 19-16 in Ruffin McNeill's final game as head coach.

East Carolina expects to get Kurt Benkert back this spring after sitting out all of last season with a knee injury. James Summers returns as well although it is unknown if he will continue at quarterback or convert to a receiver position as was anticipated when he transferred to ECU. Phillip Nelson redshirted last year too after transferring over from Rutgers.

There are other possibilities at quarterback and maybe more in the works making it logical that Kemp may have ended up being passed over next season as the starter. He has one year of eligibility remaining.