13 Aug 2025 Seven Bears selected to Phil Steele’s All UAC selections
CONWAY — Phil Steele has released his Preseason All-UAC selections, with Central Arkansas football claiming seven spots across the three teams. The Bears earned four spots on the publication’s preseason offensive teams, and three spots on the defensive side of the ball.
Just like the All-UAC list, two senior offensive lineman, Will Diggins and Jamal Mull, start the accolades for the Bears, both being named First Team All-UAC lineman. The two have combined for over 60 starts across their four seasons, and have the duo has blocked for three-straight top-25 offenses in the nation, including last season’s 14th-ranked offense and 14th-best rushing attack. Diggins, a former ASUN Freshman of the Year, All-UAC and All-American lineman, adds a third preseason honor to his tally entering his senior season.
Mull, a three-year starter in the trenches, brings another dose of leadership and understanding of the Bears’ offense, as head coach Nathan Brown takes over play calling this season. Behind Mull and the offensive line, the Bears have averaged over 427 yards of offense per game over the last three years.
The third offensive player on the first team for Central Arkansas is standout wide receiver Malachi Henry. A Freshman All-American last year, Henry posted 41 catches, 683 yards and five touchdowns for one of the best offensive teams in the nation. He had four or more catches in seven games, including a season-best eight against Southern Utah, and is set to add to his workload in 2025.
The Bears also see sophomore running back Landon Chambers on the publication’s third team. The third back in a stacked backfield last season, Chambers saw his touches increase as the season progressed, and he finished the season with 176 yards on 32 carries and 43 yards on four catches, averaging over six yards per offensive touch. He had season-bests of 15 carries for 102 yards against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and had 20 or more yards in three of his last four games.
Defensively, the Bears bring back talent along the defensive line and in the secondary, with Bradley Clark, Dillon Williams and Dude Person being named to the publication’s Second Team All-UAC. Clark, a menace in the trenches, recorded 29 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss (-32 yards) and 2.5 sacks (-23 yards) last season. His ability to plug holes, shut down runs and pass rush is a key skill set for the Bears. He logged tackles in all but one game last year, and had a TFL in six different contests.
Williams, who returns to a secondary that helped produce the third-best scoring defense in the UAC last year, is also the Bears’ leading returning tackler. After posting 80 total tackles, 4.0 TFLs (-11 yards) and 1.0 sacks (-3 yards), Williams’ nose for the ball and relentless pursuit will stand out among a secondary that returns multiple starters. Williams had five games of five or more tackles, with a season-best nine against Abilene Christian, and had an interception against West Georgia.
Person, entering his final season as a Bear, is the team’s second-leading tackler that returns from last season’s team, totaling 53 total stops. The safety brings back a nose for the ball, as shown by his 33 solo stops and four pass break-ups, returning length and instincts to the UAC’s number one defense by yards allowed.
