NEW YORK, N.Y. – Gardner-Webb defensive end Ty French was named to the Associated Press FCS All-America Team following a sensational junior season with the Runnin' Bulldogs.

French (Moultrie, Ga. / Colquitt County HS) is Gardner-Webb's 87th NCAA Division I FCS All-America selection and first Associated Press selection since linebacker Chad Geter in 2016. French is the 120th football All-American in the program's senior college history.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound standout was a second-team All-America choice after posting 72 total tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss (minus-97 yards) and a Big South-record 11.5 sacks (minus-72 yards). French added an interception and 18 quarterback hurries to go with a forced fumble.

The production paid off for the Runnin' Bulldogs, who won the 2022 Big South Conference title – the program's first in 19 seasons – and advanced to the second round of the FCS Playoffs in its first postseason appearance since 1992.

French, who was a Hero Sports Freshman All-America selection in the spring 2021 season and a Sophomore All-America choice following the fall 2021 season, was a key cog in a GWU defense that ranked among the national top-10 all season in third down defense and team sacks.

He has been strong throughout his career with Gardner-Webb, posting 160 career tackles, 37.5 tackles for loss (minus-220 yards), 24.0 sacks and 42 pressures in 26 games. French is only five sacks off of Gabe Wilkins' Gardner-Webb career record and is one sack away from breaking the Big South's career mark.