CHARLESTON, S.C. – Gardner-Webb running back Narii Gaither was named to the 2022 College Football Performance Awards FCS National Performer of the Year Watch List on Thursday, adding to a long and growing list of accolades.

Gaither (Rock Hill, S.C. / Rock Hill HS) ran 13 times for 137 yards and a touchdown in the season opening blowout of Limestone one week ago. Despite playing less than two full quarters, Gather ranks second nationally with 10.5 yards per carry and among the national leaders in rushing yardage after the first week of the 2022 campaign.

The 5-foot-10, 181-pound senior is only 384 rushing yards away from the 2,000-yard mark for his career. He has run for 1,128 yards over his last 11 games (102.5).

The CFPA Trophy is a 22-inch, K-9 optic crystal tower with an eight-inch crystal football on top. There are 38 players on the initial watch list. The FCS Performer of the Year will be announced on January 13, 2023.

Gaither, also a preseason FCS All-America selection who is on the 2022 Walter Payton Award Watch List, is the lone Big South Conference performer to make the CFPA Watch List.

Gardner-Webb travels to face Coastal Carolina on Saturday, September 10 at 6:00 pm in Conway, S.C. The game will stream live on ESPN+ and will air live on WGNC Radio 1450 AM / 101.1 FM with Dave Friedman and Reggie Walker.