East Carolina Pirates head football coach Blake Harrell announced that running back Meliq McGowan has officially signed a national letter of intent, bringing the program’s 2026 recruiting class to 40 total members.
Along with McGowan’s addition, ECU secured commitments from 22 mid-year enrollees, 15 other freshmen and two redshirt juniors during the December 3–5 signing window.
Of the 40 signees, 38 are already on campus and expected to take part in spring practice starting the week of March 16. McGowan and offensive lineman Preston Broadway will enroll this summer.
McGowan, a 6-foot, 190-pound freshman from Stratford, South Carolina, committed to ECU in January 2026 and will officially join the program this summer.
He played his senior season at Stratford High under coach Erik Hnatko, helping lead the Knights to a 10-2 record, an undefeated 5-0 mark in conference play and a third-round playoff appearance.
In 12 games, he rushed for 1,896 yards on 200 carries (9.5 yards per rush) and scored 23 touchdowns, posting 10 games of 100 or more rushing yards while averaging 158 yards per contest.
He also caught nine passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns, finishing with 2,195 all-purpose yards and 26 total scores.
McGowan earned Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas honors and was named Post and Courier Player of the Week on Oct. 7, 2025, after a 227-yard, one-touchdown rushing performance in a comeback win over Berkeley, where he also added a touchdown reception.
Before transferring to Stratford, he spent three seasons at Goose Creek and also competed in basketball and track.
Rated the top running back prospect in South Carolina by PrepRedZone and a three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals and On3, he chose ECU over offers from Florida A&M, Jackson State, Norfolk State, Presbyterian and Wofford.
