Football
UCA’s Brown Updates Rotary Club on progress near end of camp
Glad to get senior linebacker David Walker to come back and now he’s drawing NFL scouts to UCA.
CONWAY, Ark. — As a physical fall camp winds down, Central Arkansas coach Nathan Brown gave the fans at the Rotary Club an update Thursday. It was all positives for the Bears right now.
After a 7-4 season last year, UCA is ranked in the preseason FCS polls and is the coaches’ choice to win the UAC this year.
“It goes to show we recruited and retained well,” Brown said. “We have 17 of 22 starters back and when you have that, it’s a big deal. [High ranking] is great, a good place to be. The goal is to still be there in December.”
He also took that opportunity to talk about getting a key piece of the defense back. While the casual fan only looks at the offense, Brown noted getting linebacker David Walker back. He’s a two-time defensive player of the year.
“He is such a committed Bear,” Brown said. “He had opportunities to leave, but he decided he was committed to UCA, his team and coaches. He’s nine sacks away from the all-time sack record at UCA.”
Linebacker David Walker in practice drills (Ted McClenning | AllBears+ Images)
Walker, from Stuttgart, started his college tenure at Southern Arkansas and transferred to UCA in 2022 and kept playing at a high level.
“He is on the radar for the Senior Bowl,” Brown said. “He’s had dozens of NFL scouts coming to check him out. No. 8, keep an eye on him.”
Brown also took the opportunity to tell the fans how important they are to the program as well.
“We have five home games this year,” Brown said. “I want you to understand your importance to our program, come out and support these young men.”
The Bears open the season Aug. 31 in Jonesboro against Arkansas State at 6 p.m. on ESPN+. The first home game will be Sept. 14 against Austin Peay on The Stripes at First Security Field. That one will also be broadcast on ESPN+.
Former UCA athletics director Vance Strange with Nathan Brown at Rotary Club.
