BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb All-Big South Conference nose guard Josh Ramseur has been granted a sixth year of eligibility and will play the 2019 season as a graduate student for the Runnin' Bulldogs.

Ramseur (Kingstown, N.C. / Burns HS) missed all of the 2018 season after an offseason injury. The 5-foot-11, 290-pound standout will anchor a strong returning front seven in Gardner-Webb's 3-4 defensive scheme. He was a preseason All-Big South selection heading into the 2018 season before his injury.

"We really missed Josh's leadership and ability last season in the middle," said head coach Carroll McCray. "His return will shore up our defensive front, with several returning players who gained valuable experience in his absence. We are very excited with the news that Josh will have a sixth year to finish his career here. He's an All-Conference caliber young man."

Ramseur earned second-team All-Big South honors in 2017 after a breakout season, when he totaled 50 total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a sack. He was especially effective against triple option teams, registering nine tackles each vs. No. 9 Wofford (9/23/17) and Kennesaw State (10/21/17). He had eight tackles and a sack vs. Liberty.

For his efforts, after missing part of the 2016 season with injuries, Ramseur was a finalist for 2017 Hero Sports FCS Comeback Player of the Year honors.

In three seasons and 27 games played, Ramseur has totaled 95 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also has one blocked kick to his credit. He had 36 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss during a productive sophomore season – seeing action in just seven games in 2016.

Ramseur is part of a large football family. Older brothers Kenneth (Gardner-Webb, Tim (NC State) and Tank (Tuskegee) all played college football. Younger brother Aaron is currently playing at East Carolina – with the Pirates on Gardner-Webb's 2019 schedule (Sept. 7).

Ramseur will rejoin a defensive line that welcomes back six of its top seven men from the 2018 season, as well as welcoming back talented interior linemen K'Maron Patterson (6-2, 298, R-Jr.) and Donnie Thompson (6-3, 295, R-So.) from injury. 

Gardner-Webb opens its 2019 season on Saturday, August 31, at Charlotte.