Football
Brown Loading Bears’ Roster with Some Talent at Quarterback
Behind starter Will McElvain, UCA has talented quarterbacks for this season in Austin Myers, Eric McGehee and Jack Patterson.
From UCA Sports Information
CONWAY, Ark. — If there is one thing for certain in college football in the state of Arkansas, a University of Central Arkansas football team coached by Nathan Brown will never lack for quality quarterback play.
The 2024 edition of the Bears, the seventh season with Brown as head coach, is no exception.
UCA returns two-year starter Will McElvain (Des Moines, Iowa), a unanimous preseason All-United Athletic Conference (UAC) selection who threw for 2,477 yards and 24 touchdowns with just five interceptions last season, his second at UCA after transferring from Northern Iowa prior to the 2022 season. For his career, McElvain has passed for 9,022 yards, with 5,029 coming at UCA in the past two seasons.
“Our offense ticks with Will McElvain,” said Brown, the all-time leading passer at UCA and a member of the UCA Sports Hall of Fame. “He’s going on his third year starting in our program and you saw him take a step from Year 1 to Year 2. He really made a leap in some of the decision making, playmaking ability. And he was doing that in 2023 with a sore foot. He played the back half of the year with a bum foot and still had that kind of success.
“His production and his efficiency last year was what separated him. His touchdown-to-interception ratio was the best we’ve had here in years. I certainly hope that that continues in 2024, because if it does, I feel like that’s going to give us a chance to win every Saturday.”
Brown said he and offensive coordinator Ken Collums, also a former record-setting UCA quarterback and Hall of Famer, depend on McElvain’s intangibles as much as anything.
“I think he’s one of the better leaders I’ve been around,” said Brown. “Taking a lot of the offensive players and working on the side, doing extra, putting the work in that it requires to play the position of quarterback at a high level. He’s doing all that, in my opinion, as well as anyone in football at our level.
“Football is a quarterback sport. If you don’t have the guy behind center that can push you over the limit, then you’re probably going to struggle. So it’s obviously a blessing to have Will back for Year 3. I think the expectation level for him is an all-conference, all-American caliber season, and I think he’s excited for that.”
Brown threw for school records of 10,558 yards and 100 touchdowns at UCA from 2005-08. McElvain could easily top the 11,000-yard mark for his entire career.
“When you think about his production over his career at Northern Iowa and here at UCA… when it’s all said and done, his will go down as one of the best NCAA FCS careers that a quarterback has had. You’re talking if he just averages the numbers he’s had his first two years here, you’re talking about a 12,000-yard passer, or right at it. And that’s an amazing feat and something that he can definitely be proud of when it’s all said and done.
“But I also think Will will tell you, he cares about the wins and losses. Obviously from Year 1 to Year 2, we got better at that. And now our obvious goal is to take it a step further.”
McElvain was invited to be an instructor at the prestigious Manning Passing Academy in June, an honor that could pay dividends for both McElvain and the Bears.
“That was huge. What an honor for Will,” said Brown. “One, to get invited. That’s a personal-invite academy. Obviously the Manning name, probably the top name in the quarterback world in the history of football. It shows that you’ve put together a good enough career and they recognize that you have enough potential, that they see enough in you to come and represent them and tutor outstanding high school kids who paid their way to get better that week.
“And he probably grew himself as much from the experience as any thing. I think he took some things from some of the board sessions they do, some of the drills they do. And then just the conversations with two, and you can include Archie in that, so three of the greatest living quarterbacks. What a cool deal. And then a chance to match yourself up with some of the best in the country, some of the top talent at the college level. The Power 4 quarterbacks, it was a who’s who list of quarterbacks there. They had the best of the best.
“And it was also a chance to represent our logo. That’s a big deal with the national exposure that you gain at an academy like that, that has the prestige that the Manning Passing Academy has.”
Beyond McElevain, Brown said the remainder of the quarterback room is impressive.
“Excited about the quarterback position. We’ve done a good job recruiting high school talent,” he said. “Will is a unique recruit, because we brought him in as a transfer, and we haven’t done that historically at quarterback. But behind him is a group of high school guys that we recruited right out of their prep careers.
UCA quarterback Austin Myers (Ted McClenning / AllBears+ Images)
“I think Austin Myers (Vilonia) has set himself up to be in position to be a starting caliber quarterback. I think it it wasn’t for Will, we would feel great about Austin Myers going under center Aug. 31 at Arkansas State. I think he’s put the work in, I think he’s got the respect of his teammates, he’s got some physical traits that not all quarterbacks are blessed with.
“He’s long, he’s physical, he’s more athletic than a lot people will probably give him credit for. And he really has a grasp for what Coach Collums and our offense is trying to accomplish every single day. He’s really immersed himself in the playbook, he’s going into Year 3. We would have felt great with him last year getting reps, but now we fast forward another year and he’s even more advanced, more solid in the playbook, more solid with decision making.
“I know a lot of times in the world we’re in right now, you don’t talk about the future at quarterback a lot because it’s such a revolving door. But Austin Myers is a UCA Bear. He grew up being a UCA Bear, a Faulkner County guy from this area, I think it means more to him. He’s just one you root for. He’s one you want to succeed. He’s one that when he does get a chance and an opportunity to take the reins, you hope the success follows because he’s such a good kid and has put his time in and has set himself up to have success at UCA.”
Brown said the next two on the list should continue that run of talent at the position.
UCA quarterback Eric McGehee (Ted McClenning / AllBears+ Images)
“We’re excited about two young freshmen that we brought in, Jack Patterson (Marion and Eric McGehee (Little Rock),” said Brown. “Both unbelievable talents, and totally different quarterbacks. Eric is one of the more athletic quarterbacks we’ve brought in to our program. He’s a two-time state champion at Little Rock Parkview. I believe he has maybe one loss as a starter in his prep career.
“He’s just a winner. He helped turn that Parkview program into a powerhouse and what they are today, one of the premier programs in the state of Arkansas. A lot of credit goes to Eric McGehee. To keep an in-state product like that, with his upside and talent _ maybe one of the most electric arms I’ve recruited _ is exciting.”
UCA quarterback Jack Patterson (Ted McClenning / AllBears+ Images)
Patterson comes to UCA from a stellar prep career in Mississippi.
“Jack Patterson is a young man we brought in from North Point Christian High School, a private school in north Mississippi. He’s actually originally from Marion. His prep career speaks for itself. He is a guy who was player of the year in his conference, was an All-State private school player. Just a smart, cerebral kid, a big kid. And kind of like Austin, he’ll surprise you with his athletic ability, but really can make all the throws.”
When a Hall of Fame quarterback like Brown is excited about the quarterback room, that usually bodes well for the Bears.
“Those are the four guys we’re excited about,” he said. “We think we have a really good quarterback room. That’s a position I take personally, as one that’s coached quarterbacks, one who’s been a coordinator, one who has played the position. So hopefully we’re always going to have a lot of talent and a lot of depth in that room. I feel like we’re in a really good spot in that room right now.
“Especially when you look around the country, and you look at our depth in that room and it’s built with high school guys that we recruited and brought in from Day 1 and developed and hopefully turned them into something special.”
Football
Seven Bears named to Phil Steele’s preseason All-UAC teams
UCA players have earned preseason recognition from Phil Steele, highlighting the team’s experience and emerging young talent
CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas heads into the 2025 football season with no shortage of expectations, and now, seven players have the preseason accolades to match.
Phil Steele’s Preseason All-UAC selections, released Monday, shine a spotlight on a program blending seasoned leadership with rising stars, as four Bears were named to the offensive squads and three to the defensive teams.
Senior offensive linemen Will Diggins and Jamal Mull headline the group, each earning first team All-UAC honors.
Diggins and Mull have become the bedrock of UCA’s front line, combining for more than 60 starts over four years. Their consistency and experience have paved the way for three consecutive top-25 offenses, including last year’s unit, which ranked 14th nationally in both total offense and rushing.
Diggins, already an ASUN Freshman of the Year and an All-American, adds another line to an already decorated résumé as he enters his final season.
Mull, well-known for his steadfast play in the trenches, returns for a fourth year as a starter.
With coach Nathan Brown taking over play calling, Mull’s grasp of the system and leadership are expected to anchor an offense that has averaged over 427 yards per game during his tenure.
Wide receiver Malachi Henry, the only sophomore on the first team offense, is poised for a breakout campaign after a stellar freshman year that saw him named a Freshman All-American.
Henry hauled in 41 receptions for 683 yards and five touchdowns in 2024, emerging as one of the Bears’ most reliable targets. He logged at least four catches in seven games, with a season-high eight against Southern Utah, showcasing the consistency that makes him a focal point of the passing game heading into 2025.
Sophomore running back Landon Chambers earned third team recognition, a testament to his growing role in a loaded backfield.
Chambers made the most of limited opportunities last year, finishing with 176 rushing yards on 32 carries and 43 receiving yards on four catches.
His best performance came against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, when he rushed for 102 yards on just 15 attempts. Chambers’ six yards per touch suggest greater things to come as he steps into a more prominent role this fall.
On the defensive side, the Bears return talent and production at key positions. Defensive lineman Bradley Clark and defensive back Dillon Williams were each named to the second team, joining a unit that helped UCA finish as the UAC’s top defense by yards allowed last season.
Clark, a disruptive force up front, posted 29 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks, making an impact in nearly every game. His knack for plugging gaps and pressuring quarterbacks is a critical asset for the Bears’ front seven.
Williams, the team’s leading returning tackler, anchors a secondary that contributed to the league’s third-best scoring defense. In 2024, he finished with 80 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack, showing a relentless pursuit of the football.
Williams posted five games with at least five tackles, including a season-high nine against Abilene Christian, and recorded an interception against West Georgia.
His leadership and playmaking ability will be central to a defense aiming to build on last year’s performance.
Rounding out the list is senior safety Person, UCA’s second-leading returning tackler. With 53 stops last season, including 33 solo tackles and four pass break-ups, Person adds experience and instincts to the secondary.
His presence is vital for a defense looking to limit big plays and forcing turnovers.
The seven selections underscore UCA’s depth on both sides of the ball. With a blend of battle-tested veterans and promising underclassmen, the Bears appear well-positioned to compete in the UAC and beyond. The preseason recognition is both a testament to last season’s success and a challenge to improve in the months ahead.
There is no guarantee that preseason accolades will translate to victories, but the foundation is set.
With seven Bears on Phil Steele’s All-UAC teams, UCA heads into 2025 as one of the most watched teams in the conference.
Football
UCA opens fall camp as quarterback competition takes center stage
Myers says competition drives improvement as Bears open with a spirited three-hour practice under the morning sun
CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas began fall camp Wednesday, completing a three-hour morning practice as the Bears prepare for their season opener in 20 days.
Bearsoach Nathan Brown said he was pleased with the team’s effort and energy.
“We attacked at a high rate of speed, effort was good, a lot of retention from spring and summer,” Brown said. “That’s what you’re looking for as a coach, not having to coach a lot of x’s and o’s, details.
“I’m very pleased with the way we attacked, it’s hot out here. I don’t care if you start at 8 in the morning or 3 in the afternoon, it’s July, it’s going to be warm.”
UCA Bears coach Nathan Brown at opening practice of fall camp. | Ted McClenning-AllBears+ Images
The Bears will continue camp for three weeks, including two team scrimmages. The first full scrimmage is scheduled for Aug. 9.
UCA enters the season with a quarterback competition following the departure of last year’s starter Will McElvain. Incumbent backup Austin Myers took first-team reps Wednesday, while Middle Tennessee transfer Luther Richesson worked with the second team.
“Honestly, Austin, Luther, those are kind of the three right now,” Brown said. “Redshirt freshman, he’s going to be a good player here, but I didn’t think we made great decisions today.
UCA Bears quarterback Luther Richesson at opening practice of fall camp. | Ted McClenning-AllBears+ Images
“I’ve got high expectations for that room, obviously being in that room fulltime now, calling plays, I’ve got a vested interest in what each day holds. We’ll improve though, we’re just a little green, but every guy in that room has talent.”
Brown is taking over playcalling duties this season after the departure of offensive coordinator Ken Collums.
“I’m feeling the head coaching duties, obviously,” Brown said. “But a little more intense with the day to day operations, practice scripts, everything’s going through my lips, my lens now. That’s not to pat myself on the back, we’ve got a great offensive coaching staff that have bought into our scheme.
“But yeah, definitely more intense for me, and that’s great, it feels good to do it. We’ve had a lot of success here, I’ve run the offense before, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity with these guys.”
Myers said the competition is helping the team improve.
“It’s different (without McElvain), but we’ve got a really good quarterback room, a lot of guys competing for that job, and that breeds success when you’ve got guys behind you that are pushing you to get better,” he said. “I’ve never felt better throwing the ball, this summer was great.
“Competition breeds success, I don’t want guys behind me that just give me the job, I want them to push me to be better every day. If you have that at every position, you’re going to have a successful football team.”
Myers said having Brown call plays brings encouragement.
“When you get to hear from the head guy directly, that’s different,” he said. “He’s in every meeting we have, and he played here, he was a great quarterback at UCA, so for him to come full circle to calling plays again, it gives us a lot of encouragement.
“To see how the offense has worked in the past when he was offensive coordinator, the success they’ve had, that’s really awesome, we can do something special.”
UCA opens the season at Missouri on Aug. 28.
Football
Bears football opens 2025 camp with new staff, optimism
UCA starting fall practices with both seasoned leaders and new faces, as the Bears look to refine their approach for 2025
CONWAY, Ark. – Coach Nathan Brown prepares to open his eighth season at the helm of Central Arkansas, and starts fall camp on Wednesday with the first of 19 practices before the season opener later in August.
After five players were named to the Preseason All-UAC Team, the Bears are finally ready to put rubber to the road as the squad preps for the 2025 season. Behind two well-awarded senior offensive linemen, Will Diggins and Jamal Mull, the Bears open camp with a host of new faces in key positions.
UCA will also look for increased production from freshman All-American wideout Malachi Henry, and more backfield touches for sophomore running back Landen Chambers.
Defensively, the Bears return a good number of defensive backs, including Preseason All-UAC selection Dillon Williams. Also back on defense are linebacker Buck Cobbs and lineman Bradley Clark, who combined for 14.0 tackles for loss last season.
The Bears take their first official snaps of fall camp on Wednesday, practicing from 9-11 a.m. each day through the end of the week, with practice on Sunday set for 3:30 p.m.
The cycle repeats until August 19, with Monday through Saturday practices from 9-11 a.m., and Sunday practices from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
UCA will have two scrimmages, one on Saturday, August 9, and the second on August 16.
Information from UCA Sports is included in this story.
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