BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb football added a graduate transfer to its 2019 roster Wednesday, with former Norfolk State receiver Chuma Awanna joining the Runnin' Bulldogs for his final season of eligibility.
 
Awanna (6-3, 215) is currently enrolled in the Godbold School of Business MBA program and will begin workouts on campus with the rest of his teammates this week in conjunction with the second session of summer school. An honor roll student, Awanna graduated from Norfolk State with his undergraduate degree in sociology this past May.
 
Awanna joins a Gardner-Webb incoming recruiting class that was ranked No. 43 nationally in FCS by Hero Sports in February.
 
"This was a perfect match for Chuma, our football program and university," said head coach Carroll McCray. "He was very interested in pursuing an MBA after graduation and we needed to add some size at the receiver position. Chuma's character and presence will make a big impact on our young skill players this season and he has a chance to catch a lot of balls in 2019 while getting a strong graduate degree."
 
Awanna started 23 career games at Norfolk State, including 19 over his final two seasons with the Spartans. He is coming off his best statistical campaign, catching 39 passes for 492 yards and two touchdowns in 2018. That season effort included five catches for 95 yards and a touchdown against eventual MEAC champion North Carolina A&T and six catches for 89 yards against Morgan State. 
 
Awanna caught 66 career passes for 867 yards and five touchdowns over 32 career games played in three seasons at Norfolk State.
 
Prior to his time as an undergraduate, Awanna spent one postgraduate season at Fork Union Military (Va.) Academy and played high school football at Deep Creek (Va.) High in Chesapeake.
 
Gardner-Webb graduated its top four receivers from last season, including All-Big South Conference performer Kyle Horton. McCray and his staff did recruit one of the top young groups of receivers in the FCS nationally in February, including high school standouts Jacquez Bailey (6-2, 185), Devron Harper (5-10, 185), Gunnar Hitzeman (5-11, 175) and Jameson Turner (6-4, 195).
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs report for preseason camp on August 4 in preparation for the August 29 season opener at Charlotte (7:30 pm kick / ESPN+).