Gardner-Webb All-America Linebacker Tanner Burch Out For Season
October 06, 2014 | Football
BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb announced Monday that All-America inside linebacker Tanner Burch would miss the entire 2014 season with an injury.
Burch (Savannah, Ga. / Savannah Christian Prep) missed the first six games after suffering an injury during practice the week of the season opener at Furman.
"After consulting with our medical staff and Tanner, we felt that it is in his best interest to redshirt this season and return at full strength in 2015," said Gardner-Webb head coach Carroll McCray. "Our young linebackers have learned a great deal from Tanner Burch during his absence so far this season, and we hope that they will continue to develop as we move forward."
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Burch is a two-time All-Big South Conference selection and was named preseason third-team FCS All-America by both The Sports Network and College Sporting News this past summer. He led the Runnin' Bulldogs in tackling with over 100 hits in both 2012 and 2013 and was among the national leaders in tackles per game as a sophomore.
Burch has 237 career tackles and is within 41 hits of moving into the career top-20 in Gardner-Webb's record books. He was a major cog in Gardner-Webb's defensive surge in 2013, which saw the 'Dogs rank No. 5 nationally and set a Big South record in total defense.
Burch – who played as a true freshman and has a redshirt year remaining – is the second all-star linebacker to go down for the season at Gardner-Webb. Running mate Chad Geter is also out after playing in just three games. Geter will seek a medical redshirt.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (3-3) played without four defensive starters in Saturday's 27-24 win over Charlotte – and were without seven starters overall in that contest.
Gardner-Webb (3-3) will enjoy an open date before traveling to face former Big South Conference member VMI in Lexington, Va., on October 18. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm (wgwg.org).
