East Carolina football continues to build momentum in its 2026 recruiting cycle, adding top-tier talent to strengthen the roster and set the stage for future success. The Pirates have focused on bringing in dynamic playmakers who can make an immediate impact on the field, blending experienced mid-year enrollees with high-potential freshmen. With spring practice just around the corner, the program is strategically positioning itself to integrate these newcomers seamlessly into the team’s system. Highlighting this effort is the addition of standout running back, whose combination of speed, vision, and scoring ability makes him one of the most exciting recruits in the region.
East Carolina Head Football Coach Blake Harrell has announced that running back Meliq McGowan has signed his national letter of intent with the Pirates, bringing the 2026 recruiting class to 40 players.
The Pirates’ class also includes 22 mid-year enrollees, 15 additional freshmen, and two redshirt junior signees from the Dec. 3–5 signing period. Of the 40 signees, 38 are already on campus and will participate in spring practice starting the week of March 16, while McGowan and offensive lineman Preston Broadway are set to enroll this summer.
McGowan verbally committed to East Carolina in January 2026 and will officially join the program this summer. During his senior season at Stratford, under head coach Erik Hnatko, he helped the Knights achieve a 10-2 overall record, go undefeated (5-0) in conference play, and reach the third round of the playoffs. In 12 games, McGowan rushed for 1,896 yards on 200 carries (9.5 yards per carry) with 23 touchdowns, including ten 100-yard games, averaging 158 yards per game. He also added nine receptions for 198 yards and three more scores, totaling 2,195 all-purpose yards and 26 touchdowns for the season.
McGowan was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, where he carried the ball nine times for 43 yards. He earned Post and Courier Player of the Week honors on Oct. 7, 2025, after rushing for 227 yards and a touchdown, plus a receiving touchdown, in a comeback win over Berkeley. Before Stratford, he spent three years at Goose Creek High School. McGowan also played basketball and ran track during his time at Goose Creek.
Ranked the top running back prospect in South Carolina by PrepRedZone, McGowan is a three-star recruit according to ESPN, Rivals, and On3. He chose East Carolina over offers from Florida A&M, Jackson State, Norfolk State, Presbyterian, and Wofford.