Meliq McGowan

Position:
Running Back
Height:
6-0
Weight:
190
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Stratfor, S.C.
High School:
Goose Creek
Major:
Undecided

Verbally committed to East Carolina in January of 2026 … Officially enroll at ECU in the summer of 2026 … High School: Played at Stratford for head coach Erik Hnatko during his senior season … Helped the Knights to a 10-2 overall record with a 5-0 conference ledger and a third round playoff appearance … Played in 12 games during senior season rushing for 1,896 yards on 200 carries (9.5 ypr) with 23 touchdowns … Tallied 10 100-plus yard rushing performances and averaged 158.0 yards per game … Caught an additional nine passes for 198 yards (22.0 ypc) with three more scores according to MaxPreps … In all, registered 2,195 all-purpose yards (182.9 pg) with 26 touchdowns … Selected to the Shrine Bowl of Carolinas where he ran nine times for 43 yards … Named Post and Courier Player of the Week on Oct. 7, 2025 after leading the Knights to a comeback win over Berkeley where he rushed for 227 yards and a touchdown … Also added a touchdown reception in a 21-17 victory … Previously spent three years at Goose Creek before transferring to Stratford HS … Also played basketball for the Gators as a sophomore and ran track … Stats from Goose Creek not available … Listed as the top running back prospect in South Carolina by PrepRedZone … Three-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and On3 … Chose East Carolina over offers from Florida A&M, Jackson State, Norfolk State, Presbyterian and Wofford.