Yanez Selected as Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week
October 05, 2026 | Football
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb linebacker Tre Yanez has been named the Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week following his standout performance in the Runnin' Bulldogs' 12-10 victory over Charleston Southern in the North/South BBQ Bowl.
Yanez recorded a game-high 13 tackles, including five solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack, as Gardner-Webb's defense held Charleston Southern to just 178 yards of total offense and 38 passing yards. The Buccaneers also went 0-for-12 on third down in the contest.
The performance marked Yanez's fifth double-digit tackle game in six contests this season. He currently ranks sixth nationally in tackles per game (11.2), fourth in tackles for loss per game (1.83) and 11th in sacks per game (0.83).
Yanez played a key role in a defensive effort that helped Gardner-Webb earn its first Ohio Valley Conference victory of the season and its fifth consecutive win over Charleston Southern. The Runnin' Bulldogs held the Buccaneers scoreless over the final 27 minutes, including a pair of fourth-down stops.
The national honor comes just two weeks after Yanez was named the OVC Defensive Player of the Week following Gardner-Webb's win over North Carolina Central. He has now earned weekly conference or national recognition twice in the last three weeks.
