Prospect Spotlight: Eustace McGowan – Armstrong (2022)

Brian Jerzak August 3, 2021 @ 04:46 PM

After his first season starting on varsity, [player_tooltip player_id="49942" first="Eustace" last="Mcgowan"] from Robbinsdale-Armstrong felt he left some things on the table. Now, as he gets ready for his senior season, he is prepared to make those plays he thought he was not able to make as a junior. In turn, he was helping his team improve on a solid COVID shortened season and expand his college football prospects. "The season was weird with COVID and everything," McGowan said. "We came together as a team and became very close. A lot of those guys – we like to go to the lake and hang out with each other. When we came together off the field, we came together off the field." The Falcons dropped their first and last games of the season but won every game in between. "On offense, we liked to set up the run and then use play-action off the running game," McGowan explained. "It set up a lot of opportunities for me and our other two receivers – Caden Carlos and Peyton Newburn. On defense, I think we have one of the best defensive coordinators in the state. We were a good all-around defense." McGowan was primarily a slot receiver. "The season wasn’t as good as I wanted it to be," McGowan admitted. "I feel like I could have shown better on film. I had to make my opportunities count when I got the ball. I had to gain confidence. Going into the first game, I wasn’t mentally prepared. We also have two talented receivers in Kaden College and Peyton Newbern. When we have guys who can make plays all over the field, I wasn’t going to get as many opportunities." McGowan is a soon-to-be two-year starter. "My biggest strength is getting off the line. I don’t think anyone can guard me off the line if they are going to pressure me. I am a student of the game. I watch a lot of film, so I can read defenses and coverages." This offseason, McGowan had a clear focus. "I stressed my footwork, my routes, and being quick off the line. I am not the biggest guy on the field," the 6’0" 170-pound athlete said. "I have to be better than everyone else to make up for my size." He ran track for the first time last spring – with massive results. "The coaches could see I got faster. I ran the 100, the 200 and competed in all the jumping events. Last year, my speed was pretty bad. I ran like a 4.9 40. This summer, I ran a 4.6." His camp experience validated his offseason. "I went to an Iowa State and a Minnesota camp," McGowan, who expects to play receiver and corner as a senior, said. "I could see the work I have put in paying off while at those camps. Those hours of re-doing stuff because I wasn’t doing it right – those times I was getting frustrated. Now I can recognize when I am doing things wrong and can correct them. I can see myself elevating myself to the next level." Right now, that next level has included Midwest Division II programs. "I have been talking with Bemidji State, Moorhead State, Iowa Wesleyan, and the University of Mary." If his off-season work translates into a big senior year, the next level will get even higher. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11455767/5fb9d0a11600470c94df66a5">Junior year highlights</a>