Troy McGowens Signs With Charleston Southern

Troy McGowens has signed to play football for Charleston Southern University.

McGowens was one of four members of the Green Wave who signed with schools on National Signing Day Wednesday. 

“I’ve spent a lot of time with Troy,” said EHS Athletic Director Chris Carter.

He said his first memory of McGowens was when Troy was a ninth grader playing basketball at the Bi-LO Center in the Upstate Finals.

“I thought to myself, ‘My gosh, this kid is gifted,’” Carter said. “Troy McGowens is who I consider to be one of the best two-sport guys we’ll ever have come through this school. I am so proud of Troy for what’s he’s been able to do in the classroom and on the football field.”

Carter sent McGowen’s film to his friend, Clemson Hall of Famer Kyle Young.

“I said, ‘Tell me what you think,” Carter said. “And he said, ‘That guy’s a lockdown corner at the Division I level all day, every day. “

Carter said McGowens started getting anxious about halfway through the year because he hadn’t heard from colleges yet.

“He started to panic,” Carter said. “I called him from school and I said, ‘Troy, listen to me: You’ve done everything we’ve asked you to do and the Good Lord takes care of people who do things the right way.  This will work out.

“About  a week later, I get a phone call that Charleston Southern’s in the office and they need to see Troy McGowens,” Carter continued. “When I was with him in Charleston and that coach slid that piece of paper across to him after his weekend visit, we flip it over and it says free room, board, books, tuition, fees – that was pretty neat.”

Troy may have even taken more joy in putting on his new school’s hat that the three other players who signed letters of intent on National Signing Day.

“He was so worried about getting a hat that Charleston Southern overnighted him one,” Carter said.