Gardner-Webb University Athletics

All-America candidate … Has earned Freshman All-America and Sophomore All-America honors so far in his career from Hero Sports … A two-time, first-team All-Big South Conference choice … One of the most dominant pass rushers in the nation … Preseason All-Big South Conference selection by the league’s head coaches and media … Also named preseason All-Big South by Phil Steele Football … Exceptional speed for a man his size … Long arms provide a notable advantage in getting to the quarterback and defeating blocks … Hard-worker with a knack for getting into the backfield … Has 22.5 career tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks in just 14 career games played … Has also registered 24 quarterback hurries during his brief career with the Runnin’ Bulldogs … Has disrupted teams to the tune of 132 lost yards for his career … Two-time National Player of the Week for his career.

2023 at Gardner-Webb
Buck Buchanan Award Watch List
Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List
STATS Perform Preseason FCS All-American (First Team)
The Bluebloods Preseason All-American
The Bluebloods Preseason All-Conference (First Team)
Phil Steele Preseason Big South-OVC Defensive Player of the Year
Phil Steele Preseason All-Conference (First Team)

2022 at Gardner-Webb: French is a finalist for the Stats Perform FCS Buck Buchanan National Defensive Player of the Year Award, Ted Hendricks Award and the first Runnin’ Bulldog to be voted Big South Defensive Player of the Year since 2008. He finished the regular-season as the Big South leader in sacks with 11.5 -- setting the league single-season record.  He tallied 72 total tackles, 15 tackles-for-loss, one interception and one forced fumble.  French is ninth nationally in sacks per game (0.88) and 44th in TFL per contest (1.2). French had 4.5 sacks in three games vs. FBS opponents this season and held a streak of three-straight games with 2.0 sacks.  During the five-game Big South season, French was tops with 5.5 sacks, ranked sixth with 6.5 TFL, and amassed 23 total tackles.  He posted a tackle-for-loss in ten of 13 appearances, as well as a sack in nine outings. 

2021 at Gardner-Webb: First-team All-Big South choice at defensive end for the second season in a row … Named to the 2021 Hero Sports Sophomore All-America Team … Finished strong with 61 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss (minus-94 yards) and 8.5 sacks (minus-59 yards) … Added 14 quarterback hurries to lead the Big South for the second season in a row … Recovered two fumbles, including one for a touchdown … Forced two fumbles, both on sacks … Heated up late in the season, recording 10.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks in the final four games … Named FCS National Defensive Player of the Week vs. Robert Morris (10/23) … Finished with nine stops (six solo), 5.0 tackles for loss (minus-41 yards), 3.0 sacks (minus-30 yards), two forced fumbles and four quarterback hurries … Recovered one of those fumbles for a touchdown … Had seven solo stops and two sacks on the road at Hampton (11/6) … Had at least one sack in four consecutive games to end the season … Made nine tackles vs. Georgia Southern (9/4) and North Carolina A&T (11/20) … Had five stops and three hurries vs. Campbell (10/9).

Spring 2021 at Gardner-Webb: Started all four games … Named 2021 Big South Defensive Freshman of the Year … A first-team Hero Sports Freshman All-America selection … Led team with 35 total tackles, which also ranked third in the Big South Conference … Led the Big South in tackles for loss with 8.0 (minus-38 yards) and ranked No. 9 nationally … Led the Big South with 4.0 sacks (minus-32 yards), which also ranked No. 9 nationally … Led the nation with 10 quarterback pressures in four games … Also broke up one pass, blocked a kick and forced one fumble … Recovered one fumble … Named FCS National Freshman of the Week after posting 12 hits and 4.0 tackles for loss in a win over No. 24 Elon (2/27) … Named honorable mention FCS National Freshman of the Week following games vs. Presbyterian (3/6) and No. 18 Monmouth (4/3) … Had five quarterback pressures to go with 1.5 sacks vs. Presbyterian.

High School: High School: Played at powerhouse Colquitt County (Ga.) High under Coach Justin Rogers … Helped Packers to a 9-3 record in 2019 … Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports.com and Rivals.com … Rated as the No. 114 outside linebacker in the Class of 2020 nationally … Earned first-team Class 7A All-State honors from RecruitGeorgia.com … An honorable mention Class 7A All-State selection by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution … A two-time All-Region 1-AAAAAAA selection …Posted 116 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and three quarterback sacks on the season … Broke up five passes as well in 2019 … Helped Colquitt County to a 14-1 record and state runner up finish in 2018 … Team finished ranked No. 14 nationally … Finished junior season with 45 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks and 16 quarterback pressures … Garnered FBS offers from South Alabama and UAB.