Returning starter at tight end … One of the Big South’s top receivers at the position … A preseason All-Big South selection by Phil Steele Football … Big, strong and athletic tight end … Former standout basketball player who has emerged as a high quality blocker as well … Has a chance to play a major role in a veteran offense in 2022.

2022 at Gardner-Webb: Played and started at tight end in the first seven games of the season before suffering a season-ending injury ... Had receptions in five consecutive games over the year ... Finished with 12 catches for 134 yards to go along with a pair of touchdowns ... Hauled in TDs at Elon (9/17) and at Robert Morris (10/8) ... Caught a season-high four passes twice coming at Coastal Carolina (9/10) and vs Mercer (9/24) ... Went for a season-long 49 yards for a reception at Marshall (10/1).

2021 at Gardner-Webb: Made 11 starts at tight end in his first season with the program … Caught 28 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns … Earned All-Big South Conference honors from Phil Steele Football … Ranked second in the Big South among tight ends in catches and touchdown receptions … Caught at least one pass in nine games … Caught six passes for 32 yards and a touchdown in the opener at Georgia Southern (9/4) … Caught six passes for 47 yards vs. Campbell (10/9) … Had five catches for 36 yards and a score at Hampton (11/6) … Caught two passes for 23 yards and a score vs. Western Carolina (9/25).

Spring 2021 at Gardner-Webb: Played in the final three games of the spring season … Caught three passes for 37 yards … Hauled in two passes for 25 yards at Charleston Southern (4/17) … Caught a 12-yarder vs. No. 18 Monmouth (4/3) … Had a 19-yard kickoff return at Charleston Southern … Made three special teams tackles on the season … Two of three catches on the season went for first downs.

2019 at Catawba: Played in 11 games and made nine starts at tight end … Caught 13 passes for 93 yards … Posted a season-high 29 yards on three catches vs. Mars Hill … Caught three passes for 17 yards vs. Lenoir-Rhyne.

2018 at Catawba: Redshirted.

High School: Two-sport star at Rosman (N.C.) High … Played just one full season of high school football … Finished senior year by leading Western North Carolina with 153 total tackles at outside linebacker … Added 16 tackles for loss and 10 sacks … Caught 59 passes for 757 yards and six touchdowns at receiver … Scored 1,688 career points and pulled down 573 rebounds on the hardwood … Average 24.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game as a senior to earn All-WNC honors from the Asheville Citizen-Times … Was named SMC Player of the Year as a junior and was a three-time All-Smoky Mountain Conference selection in basketball … Scored 40 points or more three times over final two seasons in basketball.

Deland Thomas