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Gresock Named Phil Steele OVC Preseason Offensive Player of The Year, 13 Runnin' Bulldogs Chosen As All-Conference
August 03, 2026 | Football
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Per release, Carson Gresock of the Gardner-Webb football team has been named Phil Steele OVC Preseason Player of The Year, while 13 Runnin' Bulldogs been named to the site's preseason All-OVC team
One of the most significant returning players in FCS, Gresock is one again expected to lead Gardner-Webb on offense and is the Phil Steele OVC Preseason Player of The Year. Gresock was excellent in 2025 for Gardner-Webb, starting all 12 games while rushing for 814 yards and over 6.5 yards per carry with 14 touchdowns. The Columbus, Ohio native ran for 137 yards against Eastern Illinois on October 11th, and also posted a four-touchdown game at Lindenwood on October 25th. Gresock through two seasons at GWU has run for over 1000 yards, and scored 19 touchdowns on the ground.
Gresock joins offensive lineman Will Fitzpatrick as First Team Offense selections, while quarterback Cole Pennington is picked as Second Team Offense while wide receiver Jalile Bost, tight end Collin Carroll and offensive lineman Jabari Edwards are all selected as Third Team Offense. Pennington saw action in 10 games in 2025, including much of the later season where he completed 61% of his passes for over 1600 yards and seven touchdowns.
Selected as First Team Defense for GWU are linebacker Cahari Haynes and defensive back Josiah Harris, while the Dawgs put three players on Second Team Defense - defensive lineman Trey Weems, defensive lineman AJ Mebane, and linebacker Cole Dutkovich. Linebacker Tre Yanez and defensive back Jamarion Ravenell are also selected as Third Team Defense. Haynes returns for another season at Gardner-Webb after leading the team in tackles during the 2025 campaign, recording 44 solo, 34 assist and 78 total to go along with three sacks.
GWU returns to the gridiron on Thursday night, August 27th at Austin Peay. Tickets are on sale now.
One of the most significant returning players in FCS, Gresock is one again expected to lead Gardner-Webb on offense and is the Phil Steele OVC Preseason Player of The Year. Gresock was excellent in 2025 for Gardner-Webb, starting all 12 games while rushing for 814 yards and over 6.5 yards per carry with 14 touchdowns. The Columbus, Ohio native ran for 137 yards against Eastern Illinois on October 11th, and also posted a four-touchdown game at Lindenwood on October 25th. Gresock through two seasons at GWU has run for over 1000 yards, and scored 19 touchdowns on the ground.
Gresock joins offensive lineman Will Fitzpatrick as First Team Offense selections, while quarterback Cole Pennington is picked as Second Team Offense while wide receiver Jalile Bost, tight end Collin Carroll and offensive lineman Jabari Edwards are all selected as Third Team Offense. Pennington saw action in 10 games in 2025, including much of the later season where he completed 61% of his passes for over 1600 yards and seven touchdowns.
Selected as First Team Defense for GWU are linebacker Cahari Haynes and defensive back Josiah Harris, while the Dawgs put three players on Second Team Defense - defensive lineman Trey Weems, defensive lineman AJ Mebane, and linebacker Cole Dutkovich. Linebacker Tre Yanez and defensive back Jamarion Ravenell are also selected as Third Team Defense. Haynes returns for another season at Gardner-Webb after leading the team in tackles during the 2025 campaign, recording 44 solo, 34 assist and 78 total to go along with three sacks.
GWU returns to the gridiron on Thursday night, August 27th at Austin Peay. Tickets are on sale now.
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