EIU multi-position athlete Gipson finds a home, emerges in starring receiver role

Terrance Gipson celebrates a first down after reeling in his acrobatic 46-yard catch during Saturday’s 27-20 Eastern Illinois win against regional rival Indiana State. (Photo by Dominic Baima, EIUPanthers.com)

CHARLESTON – When Eastern Illinois landed junior college transfer quarterback Terrance Gipson in 2023, the Panthers listed the 6-foot, 190-pounder as an “athlete”.

Gipson, a Texas native who began his collegiate journey at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, has been that much and more at EIU.

“I’m proud of a guy like Terrance Gipson, who has had a long journey to get here,” Eastern head coach Chris Wilkerson said. “He waited his turn and played different positions.”

For the record, Gipson has been a quarterback, running back, cornerback and now a receiver and kick returner for the Panthers.

In Saturday’s home opener against Indiana State, Gipson established career-bests with six receptions for 100 yards in EIU’s 27-20 win.

“He’s been as diligent as you can be and finally had his opportunity and made some plays for us,” Wilkerson said.

One of those plays was a 46-yard reception in which he out-leaped Indiana State defensive back Trey King, who was draped on Gipson to the point of being flagged for pass interference. 

Gipson held onto the ball, completing the reception as he hit the O’Brien Field turf.

“When you’re in those moments you’re really just focused on the ball. It’s like a blackout moment,” Gipson said. “My focus was there, and I knew I had it.”

The catch allowed EIU to advance the ball from its own 11-yard line to the Indiana State side of the field.

The play ignited the Panther offense and led to a 34-yard field goal by freshman Drew Schiller, upping EIU’s lead to 17-13 at halftime.

The long and winding road

Gipson left SMU to play quarterback at East Los Angeles on the California junior college circuit prior to transferring at EIU. 

Now a senior, Gipson relishes his opportunity to finally see meaningful playing time at the Division I FCS level.

Yet, that opportunity turned out to be one that tried his patience.

A week before last year’s first game, Gipson tore his MCL. 

And while the EIU coaching staff had selected Georgetown transfer Pierce Holley to get the starting nod at quarterback, it also had preseason plans for Gipson. 

“We recruited him as an athlete, initially we thought as maybe one of our ‘slash guys,’” said Wilkerson, meaning Gipson would play multiple offensive positions making him a threat to run, pass or receive on any given down.

However, Gipson’s preseason injury and the emergence of Holley changed everything.

“Pierce did his job last season, so he earned his spot,” Gipson said. “I felt like I’m an athlete, so I can be anywhere. I just kept my head down, kept working and waiting for my moment.”

That moment came Saturday against Indiana State when starting wide receiver DeAirious Smith was forced to the sidelines with an injury.

“Last week I got about seven or eight plays. This week the coaches said there would be more of a rotation. Unfortunately, my guy D (Smith) went down and that put me into the game more,” Gipson said. “I knew I was in there to play. My moment was there, and thank God I was able to seize it.”

No overnight sensation

While it may well have been the first glimpse of Gipson’s talents for EIU fans, there is far more to the story for the coaching staff.

“I’m so proud of Terrance as he continues to grind,” Wilkerson said. “It would be very easy, especially in today’s day and age to leave (via the transfer portal). 

“He didn’t do that. He stayed with us, worked his tail off and now he’s ready when his number is called.”

For Gipson, the positional merry-go round has become his story. But it’s a story he continues to write and revise. 

“When I went to defensive back, it was kind of boring to me,” he said. “I just couldn’t catch onto the tempo of DB and fall in love with it.”

Thus, Gipson’s shift back to offense became his salvation.

“I felt at home at quarterback, but I’m definitely feeling that home at receiver now. I’m getting in the groove and feel like I can take it far,” he said.

Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.

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