Gardner-Webb football enters the 2026 season with continuity, confidence and an expectation they can contend for a playoff spot
The Runnin’ Bulldogs were picked fourth out of eight teams in the Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll Thursday, and first-year head coach Kris McCullough made it clear during Friday’s OVC Football Media Day that his program isn’t in rebuilding mode. He believes his first team in Boiling Springs can leave an immediate mark in league play.
The Bulldogs received 30 points in voting by the league’s head coaches, finishing behind near unanimous favorite UT Martin, Southeast Missouri and Lindenwood.
“The foundation is there, as far as the winning tradition of Gardner-Webb, it’s just how can we take that next step forward?” McCullough said.
Gardner-Webb tied with Lindenwood for third place in last year’s OVC race with a 5-3 conference mark, 7-5 overall. Defending champion Tennessee Tech went 8-0 in the OVC last year but moved to the Southern Conference heading into this season.
2026 OVC Preseason Poll
- UT Martin (6 first-place votes) – 47
- Southeast Missouri (1) – 38
- Lindenwood (1) – 37
- Gardner-Webb – 30
- Charleston Southern – 26
- Western Illinois – 23
- Eastern Illinois – 14
- Tennessee State – 9
Gardner-Webb Media Day: Five Things That Stood Out
The Bulldogs aren’t trying to dramatically reinvent themselves
McCullough repeatedly praised the previous coaching staffs, led by Cris Reisert (2024-25) and Tre Lamb (2021-23).
McCullough mentioned talent already being in place, and adding recruits and transfers rather than rebuilding.
That should be reassuring to Gardner-Webb fans who have watched their program reach the playoffs twice in the 2020s and get close last season.
“They didn’t leave the cupboard bare. We’ve definitely got talent,” McCullough said.
This offense could be really good
On paper, the Bulldogs appear capable of fielding one of the OVC-Big South’s most balanced offenses.
The Bulldogs are fortunate to return starting quarterback Cole Pennington and running back Carson Gresock, who is on the preseason Walter Payton Award watch list. They’ve also added multiple high-impact transfers, including wideout Jalile Bost who is on the OVC’s preseason watch list.
“Cole is probably the best passer that I’ve ever had, and he’s also a great leader,” McCullough said. “I think you’re going to see us try to establish the run and try to physically dominate people in the trenches, but we’re going to have the ability to throw it around the yard as well.”
The defense sounds feisty
McCullough believes this could be one of the best front sevens he’s coached.
Defensive end A.J. Mebane, a transfer from App State, is expected to set the pace on the defensive front. Mebane recorded 39.5 sacks and 50 tackles-for-loss in three seasons at Southern Durham High before committing to the Mountaineers.
Tre Yanez earned second team all-conference at linebacker for McCullough’s Texas-Permanian Basin team in 2025. He finished with 52 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss.
The Bulldogs’ defensive representative at media day, defensive back Josiah Harris, intercepted five passes a year ago, including three against Tennessee State. He’ll help anchor Gardner-Webb’s defensive backfield.
McCullough used words like tenacious, ball-seeking and hard-hitting to describe the unit as a whole.
McCullough remains committed to recruiting locally
The new Gardner-Webb coach said he plans to tap into the high school talent surrounding the school’s Boiling Springs campus – Cleveland, Rutherford, Lincoln and Gaston counties being the closest. Both Shelby and Crest high schools in Cleveland County won state titles a year ago. Players from Rutherford County also dot the current roster.
“You want a team full of winners, but you also want guys from the community where there’s going to be more of us in the seats,” McCullough said. “I think you’re going to see a lot of success from the local heroes, those local kids who chose Gardner-Webb as their home.”
Players to Watch
One of the benefits of media day is hearing teammates identify players they see standing out before the season begins.
Quarterback Cole Pennington highlighted the Bulldogs’ receiver depth, mentioning Giovanni Adopte and Brian Green among the pass catchers fans should get to know. He called Gresock “one of the best running backs in the nation” and of course praised his offensive line that “plays physical, plays mean, plays tough.”
Defensive back Josiah Harris echoed praise for linebacker Trey Yanez and defensive end A.J. Mebane as defenders capable of making a significant impact this season.
Eleven Bulldogs Earn Preseason Recognition
Gardner-Webb placed 11 players on the OVC preseason Players to Watch lists, chosen by coaches.
Offense
- QB Cole Pennington
- RB Carson Gresock
- WR Jalile Bost
- TE Collin Carroll
- OL Will Fitzpatrick
- PK Andrew Bontekoe
Defense
- DL AJ Mebane
- LB Tre Yanez
- DB Josiah Harris
- P Aidan Bonde
- LS Jacob Mull
RB Carson Gresock Collecting Preseason Honors
Gardner-Webb senior running back Carson Gresock was one of 30 players nationally named to the Walter Payton Award Watch List earlier this week by Stats Perform. The award is given to the top offensive player in the FCS.
Gresock is coming off an all-conference season in 2025. He rushed for 798 yards and a team-high 14 touchdowns. This is Gresock’s second national preseason honor. He also was named to the Lindy’s Sports 2026 All-FCS Team (second team).
Return to OVC Branding
The 2026 season marks the return of the conference’s football branding to simply the Ohio Valley Conference after three seasons competing either as the Big South/OVC Football Association or OVC/Big South. Gardner-Webb and Charleston Southern are the last remaining schools from the old Big South football conference.
What’s Next
In the coming days, the Runnin’ Bulldogs will open fall camp and will get ready for the season opener, a Thursday night, Aug. 27 road trip to Austin Peay.
👉 View Gardner-Webb’s 2026 football schedule
👉 Preview the upcoming Gardner-Webb at Austin Peay game
