BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Defending Big South Conference champion Gardner-Webb opened 2023 Spring Practice on Monday afternoon in preparation for a highly anticipated season ahead.

Head coach Tre Lamb will have an experienced team heading into next season, with 18 starters returning on offense and defense.

Eight return on the offensive side, led by four starters up front and All-America running back Narii Gaither (5-10, 192, R-Sr.) who ran for 1,019 yards and seven touchdowns last season and enters his final campaign with 2,462 yards on the ground in 35 games.

The Rock Hill, S.C., native has averaged more than 100 yards per game in two of his last three seasons, eclipsing 1,000 yards in 2023 despite playing in only 10 games. The backfield has experienced depth with the return of Jayden Brown (5-9, 170, So.), Jalin Graham (6-1, 205, R-Jr.), Donovan Jones (5-9, 180, Jr.) and Janiero Crankfield (5-8, 175, R-So.).

All-Big South linemen Clayton Frady (6-5, 295, Sr.) and Gabriel Thompson (6-3, 304, Sr.) anchor the returing core up front.

Gardner-Webb will need to replace All-Big South quarterback Bailey Fisher, with returning experience at the position. Matthew Caldwell (6-4, 210, R-So.) and Xavion Brower (6-1, 190, R-Fr.) each gained game experience last season, with Caldwell starting one game for the Runnin' Bulldogs.

Transfer Ty Lyles (6-0, 200, R-So.) from Coastal Carolina and Will Mattison (6-4, 180, R-Fr.) will also take snaps this spring under center.

Two All-Conference receivers graduated, but 2022 preseason All-Big South selection Justin Franklin (5-9, 175, R-So.) returns from injury in the slot and veteran Jameson Turner (6-4, 211, R-So.) is back after missing last season. Karim Page (6-1, 180, R-Fr.), Ephraim Floyd (5-10, 180, So.) and Caleb Borders (5-10, 170, R-So.) each gained valuable playing time last season at receiver and former four-star recruit A.J. Johnson (6-3, 206, R-Fr.) has a chance to make a major impact this spring. Veteran Darius Hough (6-2, 210, R-Jr.) also returns to the mix after missing the final 11 games last season with an injury.

Gardner-Webb has one of the top tight end rooms in the country, with Deland Thomas (6-4, 236, R-Jr.), Jonathan Burns (6-4, 235, R-So.) and Anthony Herock (6-3, 238, R-Jr.) each capable of putting up big numbers – and each with starting experience.

The Runnin' Bulldogs return 10 starters on an experienced defense, headlined by All-America veterans Ty French (6-3, 230, Sr.) at end and Raequan Ousley (5-11, 170, R-Jr.) at corner.

French, who finished sixth in the 2022 Buck Buchanan Award voting and was a Ted Hendricks Watch List finalist, enters his fourth season with the Runnin' Bulldogs as one of the nation's best pass rushers. The Moultrie, Ga., native has 160 career tackles, 36.5 tackles for loss and 24.0 career sacks – just one shy of the Big South Conference record and four shy of the Gardner-Webb mark.

Ousley was outstanding in his first full year as a starter, leading the Big South 19 passes defended (17 pass break ups, 2 interceptions) and posting 56 total tackles. He had 70 yards worth of returns with picks coming at Robert Morris (10/8) and vs. North Carolina A&T (11/19) in the Big South title game.

All-Big South linebacker William McRainey (6-0, 219, Sr.) is back after posting his second-straight 100-tackle season (104). The 2022 Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year has 228 career hits in just 27 games and has proven to be a durable play maker.

McRainey is joined by returning starters Brendan Jackson (6-2, 210, Jr.) and Tray Dunson (6-2, 221, Gr.), with Honus Wagner (6-0, 225, Sr.), 2022 Big South Defensive Freshman of the Year Ty Anderson (6-1, 210, So.), Christian Wright (5-10, 235, R-Sr.) and Jeremy Mitchell (6-0, 205, R-Sr.) also capable starters.

French's defensive line running mates include All-Conference tackle Charlie Jackson (6-4, 320, Sr.), ends Brice Bass (6-4, 250, Sr.) and Nick Hunter (6-5, 220, Jr.) as well as versatile tackle Willie Harris (6-1, 274, Jr.). All played key roles last season. Mid-year transfers Brandon Wilson (6-1, 270) from Georgia Southern and Ayden Bell (6-3, 270) from Lamar University are competing for snaps inside in a bid to replace All-Big South interior lineman Janathian Turner.

The secondary is bolstered by the return of starting safeties Jamari Brown (5-11, 200, R-Sr.), TJ Jones (5-10, 170, Jr.), AJ Thomas (6-1, 190, Sr.) and Josiah Wright (6-0, 190, Sr.) as well as the addition of mid-year transfers and NCAA Division II All-America selections Diondre Glover (5-11, 175) from Central Missouri and Wendell McClain (6-0, 170) from Notre Dame (OH) College.

Gardner-Webb will work through 15 practices from now until the end of March, with the 2023 Spring Game set for Friday, March 31 at 7 pm in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium.

GWU opens the 2023 regular season on Saturday, September 2, at Appalachian State, with the home opener slated for September 9 vs. Elon.