BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb football opened training camp on Tuesday morning, working for just over two hours on the turf in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium.

Head coach Tre Lamb's squad practiced for 18 periods, beginning at 9:05 a.m. in helmets, jerseys and shorts. Gardner-Webb will transition over the next five days into shells – helmets and shoulder pads – and full pads.

The Runnin' Bulldogs welcome back 24 starters and 62 letterwinners from last season and enter the 2022 campaign with one of the most experienced, deep teams in recent memory. GWU claimed 10 spots on the preseason All-Big South Conference team last week and will get its first test in just over four weeks when Limestone comes to town for the September 1 season opener.

Kickoff that night is set for 7:00 (ESPN+) and will mark Gardner-Webb's first Thursday night season opener at home in program history. The only previous home game played on a Thursday night in Spangler Stadium came on November 3, 2011 – a 34-13 win over Virginia State.

The depth was evident often on Tuesday morning, with Gardner-Webb running two different groups simultaneously during team blitz and pass skeleton drills. The Runnin' Bulldogs also spent plenty of time on special teams and closed out the day with a long period of ball security drills.

OFFENSIVE NOTES
* With Preseason Big South Offensive Player of the Year and two-time league rushing champ Narii Gaither returning, the running back position is in great hands. Gaither isn't alone, however, with hard-charging Donovan Jones and Janiero Crankfield expected to provide additional octane in the backfield.

* Gardner-Webb enters the 2022 season with six scholarship quarterbacks on the roster. Preseason All-Big South signal caller Bailey Fisher returns and was joined on Tuesday by freshmen Xavion Brower, Will Mattison and Glenn Rice, Jr. Jacksonville State transfer Matthew Caldwell and redshirt freshman Kendall McKoy are in the mix as well. Brower, Fisher and McKoy each participated in spring practice after Brower graduated early from Butler (N.C.) High in Charlotte.

* After a 2021 season that saw depth at the receiver position depleted by injuries, Gardner-Webb stocked up. Idaho transfer Cutrell Haywood has a strong chemistry already with the returning quarterbacks after a strong spring semster. All-Big South standouts Justin Franklin and TJ Luther headline the returning core, with several freshman expected to make a push for playing time before the season begins. Former four-star recruit AJ Johnson is among that group, as is Dalton (Ga.) High product Karim Page.

DEFENSIVE NOTES
* Gardner-Webb's defensive line is a load. All-America end Ty French causes choas even without pads on, but he is far from the only talent up front. Two 300-pounders anchor the middle and have All-Big South potential. Those men, Janathian Turner and Charlie Jackson, are both wearing single-digit jersey numbers this season – with Turner switching to No. 1 and Jackson to the No. 9 jersey. Veteran Stormy Mosteller and returning letterwinner Brice Bass each bring good size to the strong side end position opposite French and have good game experience. 

* Linebacker Tray Dunson has moved back outside to the nickel position and is at 100 percent after missing the final 10 games of the 2021 season with an injury. One of the team's most athletic players at 6-foot-2, 221-pounds, Dunson joins returning starters William McRainey and Honus Wagner to form a strong core group. One true freshman who garnered rave reviews upon his arrival in June will also compete for snaps at the nickel spot. Three-star recruit Ty Anderson was one of the top tacklers in Georgia at Thomasville (Ga.) High, and has the speed and ability to be a big factor in 2022.

* One notable position change from last season is Zay Jones' move to cornerback. The special teams standout played receiver last season in a reserve role. He made a big impact at Hampton, recovering a fumble for a touchdown on a kickoff.