BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb nose guard Josh Ramseur will miss the 2018 season after undergoing surgery this month, and will apply for a sixth year of eligibility.

Ramseur (Kingstown, N.C. / Burns HS) was named to the Big South's preseason All-Conference honorable mention team on Tuesday in conjunction with the league's annual media day.

"Josh was a leader on our defensive front last season and was looking forward to continuing in that role in 2018," said head coach Carroll McCray, who will be in his sixth season in charge of his alma mater. "This was disappointing news, but we are confident in Josh's ability to recover for the 2019 season. We are also confident in the young men we have at the nose guard position who will step up and perform in his absence."

The 5-foot-11, 283-pounder missed the final four games of the 2016 season with an injury, but returned to form in 2017 to post a career-high 50 total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a sack. Ramseur earned a spot on the second-team All-Big South Conference team for his efforts.

He was a finalist for Hero Sports FCS Comeback Player of the Year following the 2017 season.

With Ramseur unavailable, Gardner-Webb will turn to a young, but capable, four-man rotation at the position. Redshirt sophomore K'Maron Patterson (6-2, 298) played in all 11 games last season and finished with 3.0 tackles for loss and a sack – and will be in prime position to earn the starting nod in August. Classmate Alexander Ikoku (6-3, 268) also has game experience at the position, collecting a sack and a fumble recovery last season against Charleston Southern in extended playing time.

True Freshman Janathian Turner (6-3, 300) has the size and athleticism to make an early push for playing time after a strong career at Towers (Ga.) High in Decatur – and dual-threat lineman Jazz Hawkins (6-1, 275, Fr.) was highly sought after following a standout senior season at Mays (Ga.) High in Atlanta.

Gardner-Webb opens its 2018 season on Saturday, September 1 at home vs. Limestone. Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm on the Big South Conference.