Football

Brown Well Aware What Bears Have with Walker Anchoring Defensive Line

UCA has decorated starter in line with David Walker continuing to pile up awards and more are expected this year.

Published

12 months ago

August 24, 2024

CONWAY, Ark. — The obvious center of attention for Central Arkansas’ defensive line will once again be All-American David Walker. With good reason, according to coach Nathan Brown.

“You can’t start talking about the defensive line without talking about David Walker, and that’s across the country,” said Brown of his highly celebrated senior from Stuttgart, Ark. “He’s probably going to go down as the most decorated defensive lineman in UCA history, and we’ve had some highly talented individuals to play defensive line here.

“But I don’t know how many can honestly say they have the potential to be a three-time defensive player of the year in a conference, any conference. And probably a three-time consensus All-American. That’s pretty hard to do.”

Brown could have added at any level because not many players at any level could do that. There may have been a specialist or two along the way, but not enough to jump into instant memory.

Walker, a 6-2, 260-pounder, was a six-time All-American as a sophomore two years ago when he was named the Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Defensive Player of the Year. A year ago, he added three more All-America honors and was the United Athletic Conference (UAC) Defensive Player of the Year as well. Walker led the UAC In tackles for loss (18.0) and sacks (8.5) last season and broke the school single-game record with 6.5 tackles for loss against Tarleton State.

Walker is on the preseason Buck Buchanahn Award Watch List and the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List.

“Everything that David has accomplished, and is going to accomplish, is well deserved,” said Brown. “You’re not going to meet a better young man. He is as respectful and humble as they come. He is, without a doubt, the leader of our team. He’s really taken that role on from his first two years when he was really a lead-by-example kind of guy. Year 2 kind of pushed a little more with the vocal side of it. And now he’s the full-on leader of this football team. And guys follow him.

“They follow him because of what he’s done, but also just the way he is. It’s easy to follow someone who does everything right, and David does a lot of things right.”

Walker is one of a long line of talented defensive end/linebackers to play for the Bears in the NCAA Division I era, including Jonathan Woodard, Larry Hart, Markell Carter and Jacob Ford, who were all NFL draftees.

“His pro potential is as big as anyone we’ve had,” said Brown. “He has a chance to be as highly rated a prospect, going into the 2025 NFL Draft, as anybody we have had, and that’s saying something because we’ve had guys like Robert Rochell, Tre Smith, Dezmin Lewis, George Odum. And he’s in the same cut and mold that those guys were.

“Not only is he a great pass rusher, and I think that’s where he kind of makes his mark, but he’s as good against the run as he is rushing the passer. Evidence of that is his tackles for loss, which may be even more impressive than his sack numbers. The numbers he’s put up in two years here of tackling ball carriers in the backfield is pretty phenomenal.”

Brown said Walker may be utilized in a number of ways for his final season.

“He’ll be at our bandit position. He’ll be on the edge rushing 80 percent of the time,” he said. “We’re going to put him in some positions to stand up because of his athletic ability. He’s 260 pounds but he’s a 4.5 40 (-yard dash) guy. We’ll drop him into coverage, we’ll put him in some situations where we may stand him up and blitz him in different gaps to get some different matchups.

“He’s mostly going to be where he was the first two years, pinning his ears back and putting pressure on the offensive backfield. But we’re going to be creative with David because he allows us to be. And he’s smart enough to allow us to do that.”

The Bears lost Walker’s counterpart on the other side in all-conference end Logan Jessup, who graduated after a stellar career at UCA.

“The question is obviously who is going to step up on the other side of him,’ said Brown. “We’ve had Logan Jessup there for the past three or four years, and you talk about a model of consistency. He was one of the greatest to ever play here, in my opinion, as well. We’re going to have to see guys like (sophomore) Buck Cobbs from Jacksonville, who has had moments with sacks or tackles for loss in 2023. A guy like (sophomore) Samuel Horton from Gadsden, Ala., who had some nice moments last year as an edge guy.

“(Junior) Baryle Davenport (Chickasaw, Ala.) is going into Year 4 with us. He has a huge upside, he’s just been plugged behind David and Logan, and it’s hard to play behind those guys. So those are some edge guys who are going to have to step up and make an impact. Also (sophomore) Duncan Parham, who plays that edge spot, outside linebacker position like David. He’s a third-year player out of Norman, Okla., who needs to take a big step forward. He’s had a good offseason in the spring.

“Freshman Carmilo Allen from Fordyce. He’s as physically gifted an edge guy as we have brought in. He’s 6-3, 245 pounds and moves with light feet. We’ll see how physical he is once practice starts, but I think he’s a guy who will travel and will have an opportunity for a role this season. We have to have guys step up so you can’t just key on David Walker. And those guys will get some single coverage opportunities because Walker is on the other side, and we have to be able to take advantage of those one-on-ones.”

The Bears must replace two inside players in Stephon McGlaun and Jace McCoy.

“Inside we start with a couple of guys. Both have played a lot for us, the production hasn’t necessarily been there numbers-wise. But they’ve played a lot of snaps,” said Brown. “(Senior) Javeon Jones, 6-3, 290, started games for us last year. He’s battled shoulder injuries over the course of his two years with us but man, he’s such a warrior, so consistent, in the right place at the right time. Just a huge upside, and I think he’s poised to have his most productive year yet.

“Bradley Clark from Pine Bluff, 6-2, 320 pounds, his physical ability is as good as about anybody I’ve coached on the interior D-line. He’s a kid that when he goes, when he’s in the right mindset, he’s nearly unblockable. (Sophomore) Kyion Williams, who missed last season. We signed him last December with a knee injury. He’s a guy with a linebacker background who has grown into a defensive lineman. You could see him play three different positions on our line. He’s got great pass-rushing ability, really twitchy. I could see him play inside and outside. I’m expecting a huge year out of him.

“Noah Tice, 6-2, 290 pounds out of Mississippi, a big body who has had a great offseason. (Junior) John Jackson, we signed in December, another big body (6-1, 305), very mature, no-nonsense guy who gets up there and gets to work. A late signee that I’m very excited about is Kendarius Clark, who transferred in from a lateral FCS school and he was their best defensive lineman. He’s going to come in and compete for a starting job. He has the production in the past as an all-conference caliber player at his previous school. He just goes to work. You can see it in his eyes, he has what you’re looking for in a defensive lineman.”

Brown also noted a pair of freshman who could figure in the mix.

“Two freshmen we brought in that I’m excited about are Reid Jones out of Tulsa and Jaden Moore out of West Feleciana High School in St. Francisville, La. Those two guys are young, talented freshmen and one of them is going to have to travel and play some sort of role. You don’t want them to play huge as true freshmen, but when they show us what they can do, their roles could grow. But one of them is going to have to be ready to give us some depth this year, and both of them have the size to do that.”

Information from UCA Sports is included in this story.

Up Next

WATCH: UCA coach Nathan Brown on Season-Opener at ASU

Don't Miss

Experience Making Brown’s Life More Comfortable in Bears’ OL

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

Published

13 hours ago

August 4, 2025

All Bears Plus

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

Published

6 days ago

July 30, 2025

All Bears Plus

UCA Bears quarterback Austin Myers at opening practice of fall camp. | Ted McClenning-AllBears+ Images

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

Published

1 week ago

July 28, 2025

All Bears Plus

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.