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.

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were counting on rookie outside linebacker David Walker from Central Arkansas to inject new energy into their defense this fall.

Instead, Walker will spend his first NFL season on the sidelines after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament during a non-contact drill in last Friday’s training camp practice, a blow across the team’s facility and left coaches and teammates scrambling to fill a sudden void.

Walker, a fourth-round draft pick out of UCA, had quickly impressed coaches with his speed and tenacity. Just weeks into his first pro camp, he’d found himself working with the second-team defense and drawing praise from veterans for his work ethic.

That momentum came to a halt when Walker went down late in practice, grabbing his right knee. He was able to limp off with assistance, but the concern was immediate and, by Monday, confirmed.

Walker will undergo surgery and miss the entire 2025 season, coach Todd Bowles told reporters on Monday.

“It’s tough, especially for a young guy who was showing so much promise,” Bowles said. “David had earned a lot of respect in a short time. We’ll support him all the way through his recovery and look forward to getting him back next year.”

The timing couldn’t be worse for the Buccaneers, whose defense is in transition after several offseason departures. Walker was one of a handful of rookies expected to compete for snaps in a linebacking corps looking to get younger and faster.

His absence forces the Buccaneers to dig deeper into their depth chart, a storyline that’s become all too familiar for NFL teams as preseason injury lists grow longer each year .

Across the league, ACL injuries remain a persistent problem. Through the first week of camps in 2025, at least six rookies or second-year players have already been sidelined with torn ligaments.

For Walker, the setback comes just as his NFL journey was gaining steam.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Buccaneers defensive captain Lavonte David. “He was soaking up every bit of knowledge, always asking questions. You hate to see a young guy lose a year like that.”

Walker’s story had drawn attention even before his injury. Lightly recruited out of high school, he became one of UCA’s most productive defenders.

His faith and work ethic were the stuff of preseason features.

“I’m big on my faith,” Walker told local reporters last month. “I’ve overcome a lot to get here. Every day in this league is a blessing.”

Walker’s injury occurred on a running play late in practice, according to team insiders. He stayed on the ground for several minutes before being helped to his feet.

“You could tell right away it was serious,” said fellow rookie Sterling Shepard, who was among the first to reach Walker on the field. “He just kept saying, ‘I’ll be back. I’ll be back.’ That’s who he is.”

The Buccaneers placed Walker on injured reserve Monday, officially sidelining him for the season but preserving a spot on the roster for his return in 2026.

While the team has weathered major injuries before, the ripple effects of losing a promising rookie are especially acute.

“Depth is everything,” Bowles said. “Football is a game of attrition, but you never get used to this part.”

Walker’s injury also reignites debate about the demands of NFL training camps. Team medical staff have increased emphasis on injury prevention, but the physical nature of the sport and the drive among rookies to make an impression means risk is never far away.

“There’s only so much you can do,” said Dr. James Andrews, renowned orthopedic surgeon. “The ACL is vulnerable, particularly for athletes changing direction at high speed. Sometimes it’s just bad luck.”

For now, the Buccaneers must turn to other young prospects and veterans to fill Walker’s spot in the rotation. The team had already added depth at linebacker in free agency, but Walker’s versatility and special teams potential made him a unique fit.

“We’ll have to adapt,” said defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers. “You can’t replace a guy like that overnight, but the next man up has to be ready.”

Walker, meanwhile, begins the long road to recovery. He’s expected to undergo surgery this week and begin a rehab process that could last nine to 12 months.

“I’ve been through adversity before,” he wrote on his Instagram page Monday night. “This is just another chapter. I’ll be back stronger, and I’ll be cheering on my brothers every step of the way.”

The outpouring of support from teammates and fans has been immediate.

“He’s got all of Tampa behind him,” said Bowles. “You don’t stop rooting for someone just because they can’t play. He’s a part of this team, and he always will be.”

Now the Buccaneers move forward, but their rookie linebacker’s absence will be felt long after the season opener. “Football teaches you to get back up,” said Lavonte David. “We’re all pulling for him to do just that.”

CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas senior offensive lineman Will Diggins has been named to the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-American Third Team, highlighting a list of Bears players expected to play pivotal roles in the upcoming 2025 season.

Diggins, a Bryant, Ark., native, returns as one of the most experienced players on the Bears’ roster. The 6-foot-4, 325-pound lineman has started more than 60 games in his college career, helping anchor an offensive front that consistently ranks among the best in the United Athletic Conference.

“It’s an honor, but my job’s just getting started,” Diggins said Tuesday. “Individual recognition is nice, but I’m more focused on what we can accomplish as a team this year.”

UCA opens its season at Missouri, presenting an early opportunity for Diggins and the Bears to test themselves against a Southeastern Conference opponent. The Bears’ schedule also includes three nonconference games and eight UAC matchups as they look to build on last season’s 3.7 yards per carry rushing average.

“Will is a unique player that is going to be in the conversation for every major honor this year,” coach Nathan Brown said. “He’s the kind of guy you build a program around. He’s tough, smart, and his teammates feed off his energy.”

Diggins is joined by senior offensive lineman Jamal Mull among UCA’s preseason all-conference honorees, with five Bears earning UAC preseason recognition. The group’s continuity and experience are seen as central to the team’s hopes of contending for a conference title and postseason berth.

Since joining Division I in 2006, UCA has steadily risen in the FCS ranks, making multiple playoff appearances and establishing a reputation for physical, disciplined football. Diggins credits his upbringing in Bryant for instilling the work ethic that has become his trademark.

“I was always taught to earn everything,” Diggins said. “That’s how we do it in Arkansas. You put in the work, you get the results.”

Diggins’ approach is evident both in the weight room and on the field, where teammates describe him as a leader who holds others accountable.

“He’s a guy who sets the tone, who won’t let anybody get away with less than their best,” Mull said. “If you mess up, he’ll let you know. But he’ll also be the first to pick you up after.”

With the preseason honors in hand, Diggins remains focused on team goals. “We want to win this conference. We want to make a run in the playoffs. That’s what we talk about every day,” he said.

The Bears will rely on Diggins’s experience and leadership as they navigate a challenging schedule and pursue postseason success.

“He’s the guy you want in your corner when things get tough,” Brown said. “And things are going to get tough. That’s football.”

The 2025 season opens this fall, with Diggins and the Bears aiming to prove they belong among the FCS elite.