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Wayne State University Athletics

Captains- Kaleb Coleman, Charles Wesley, Elijah Fowlkes, and Griffin Milovanski
WSU Athletics Creative
Captain #2 Elijah Fowlkes with #1-Kaleb Coleman, #69-Charles Wesley and #38-Griffin Milovanski.

Football Emmanuel Harris, WSU Sports Communications Class

A True Warrior

The following is a feature story written by a student (Emmanuel Harris) in Christine Maleske, Ph.D. Fall 2024 Sports Communications Class.

A True Warrior
 
The process
A team captain with a big heart, a strong work ethic, and great leadership.  Elijah Fowlkes is a three-year starting defensive back for the Wayne State University football team.  He has moved around in the secondary – also considered the last line of defense - over the past three years from boundary corner to field safety.  Fowlkes served as one of the four team captains during the 2024 season and was the vocal leader of the defensive backs.

"From the second I saw Elijah's film and met him in person I knew he had a great chance to be an outstanding player and leader for the Green and Gold," stated WSU Defensive Backs Coach Antwon Robinson.

Fowlkes was born and raised in the inner city of Cleveland, Ohio, where he was brought up by his mother.  He shares a deep bond with his mom, often calling her his best friend.  Fowlkes speaks about how she has been his constant source of support, always by his side through every challenge and success, shaping not only his life but also his outlook on the game.  When it comes to his "why," Fowlkes doesn't hesitate—it's his mother.  He's dedicated his football career to making her proud, playing at the highest level with the goal of one day being able to take care of her financially.
 
Motivated by his goal to support his mother, Fowlkes lives by the mantra, "You have to be obsessed with winning to be great."  Fowlkes played many sports growing up, but his first love was football. He had a lot of offers, but he felt the other schools did not have the brotherhood Wayne State showed.  "From the moment I stepped foot in the locker room, I felt like it was home.  After seeing the facility, being in the locker room, and spending time at a Wayne State football practice I was able to see first-hand the Warrior mentality.  I realized I wanted to be a part of the family." 
 
Special Talent 
From the start of Fowlkes collegiate career, he illustrated his ability to make a difference on the field.  Fowlkes explained, "When I first got here, I was told I had a high chance of being redshirted, because of the experience and depth we had at the cornerback position."  This ignited a fire within him, drawing on the resilience he had built as a child.  This fueled his determination to work harder and prove himself, turning adversity into motivation.  A couple of games later, he had an exceptional game when he finished with two Interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.  Fowlkes was selected GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week, and later in the season, he won WSU's Defensive Rookie Player of the Year award and was named to the All-GLIAC Honorable Mention Team. 

The following season, Fowlkes was playing at a high level.  In game two of his sophomore year, he recorded a career-high 12 tackles against Missouri S&T.  A few weeks later, Fowlkes recorded an interception against Concordia University, the third of his collegiate career.  Later in the season, Fowlkes faced some adversity with injuries.  He tore a ligament in his elbow in game six against Davenport University.  Also, he found out his mother was sick and needed his help.  Fowlkes left in the middle of the football season. 

Coach Robinson mentioned "his mother needed his help. She was sick at the time with cancer, and it was weighing on Fowlkes.  As good as a player that he was, he needed a break from football." Fowlkes is a religious man who believes he was put on earth to do more than play football.  He chose to leave football and save lives as a firefighter. 

Fowlkes describes the decision as a tough one because he loves football, but he has always had a heart for others. 

Bigger than me 
"As much as my mom loved me helping others and saving people's lives, she told me that she missed watching me play football and that I could always be a firefighter after football, but my playing days had a ticking clock," commented Fowlkes.  He explained how hard it was leaving the game of football and how when you spend time away from something you love, it makes you miss it so much more.  "Every day, God wakes you up, it is another chance.  He has not given up on you, so do not give up on yourself.  I just say keep going.  Put everything you got into it.  Because being a college athlete is not for a regular person." 

After spending time away from the game, Fowlkes decided it was time to make a comeback.  He started working harder than ever to be better than before.  This past year, Fowlkes started the season with a great fall camp and was named one of the captains of the team.  He played exceptionally well this season starting all 11 games at safety.  He made 61 tackles, forced one fumble, had an interception, and recorded two pass breakups.  Fowlkes ranked among the GLIAC leaders with 30 assisted tackles.  He plans to play at Wayne State for his last year and then graduate from Wayne State in May of 2026.  He dreams of playing in the NFL and later becoming a firefighter.

 
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Players Mentioned

Elijah Fowlkes

#2 Elijah Fowlkes

S
5' 9"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Elijah Fowlkes

#2 Elijah Fowlkes

5' 9"
Junior
S