JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State cornerback Yul Gowdy earned Freshman All-America honors from HERO Sports on Monday.
 
When the national outlet released its Freshman All-Americans, the redshirt-freshman from Birmingham was one of its honorable mention selections. He marks the fourth Gamecock player to earn at least one All-America honor this season, joining offensive lineman B.J. Autry, wide receiver Josh Pearson and safety Marlon Bridges.
 
Gowdy grabbed OVC All-Newcomer honors after a solid redshirt freshman season as a starting cornerback for the Gamecocks in 2018. After an injury ended his 2017 season early, he received a medical redshirt and made the most of it in the 2018 season.
 
The poduct of Minor High School in Birmingham, Gowdy recorded 41 tackles, 31 solo, and also intercepting a pass that he returned 15 yards for a score in the Tennessee State game. He also broke up 10 passes on the year.
 
He had a career-high nine stops against Eastern Illinois on Oct. 13 and had six in the Gamecocks' win over East Tennessee State in the First Round of the FCS Playoffs.