CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ty French continues to haul in national accolades and honors, being named to the 2023 FCS Mid Season All American Team by Phil Steele and draftscout.com, announced on Friday, Oct. 20.
These teams were selected by Phil Steele & the draftscout.com staff. French was named to the Midseason All-American Second Team
French has been fantastic for the Runnin' Bulldogs, with 27 tackles (12 solo), 8.5 tackles-for-loss, and 3.5 sacks. With a half sack against Elon, French set a new Big South record for career sacks. The Moultrie, Ga. native now has 27.5 career sacks, just 1.5 shy of tying the Gardner-Webb program record for sacks set by Gabe Willkinson (1990-93).
French also has 8.5 tackles-for-loss this season, the second-most in the conference and the seventh-most in the FCS. For his career, French has 49 tackles-for-loss, the fourth-most in program history.
Even when French hasn't gotten after the quarterback, he has been effective, with three pass-break ups and five QB hurries.
French was a preseason All-American selection by Phil Steele in the preseason, while also taking home Big South-OVC Football Association Preseason Defensive Player of the Year by the publication.
French was one of three players from the Big South-OVC to earn the honor, joining Sam Franklin, Daylan Dotson, and Aidan Laros from UT Martin. Steven Parker of Incarnate Word was named Phil Steele's Midseason FCS Defensive Player of the Year.
Gardner-Webb closes out their nonconference slate this weekend, hosting RV Eastern Kentucky in a rematch of the 2022 FCS Playoffs on Saturday, Oct. 21. Kickoff from Spangler Stadium is set for 6:00 PM. Fans can purchase tickets online at gwusports.com.
