CONWAY, Ark. _ University of Central Arkansas senior defensive end Jonathan Woodard was named to the STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year Watch List on Wednesday.

    Woodard was one of 22 players named to the list, including one of seven finalists for the 2014 national defensive player of the year honors. Woodard, from Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tenn., was joined by two other Southland Conference players, P.J. Hall of Sam Houston State and Harlan Miller of Southeastern Louisiana.

    Woodard, 6-foot-6, 271 pounds, was the 2014 Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league in tackles for loss and sacks. He is now second on the career sack list at UCA with 25, trailing UCA Sports Hall of Fame member Mike Coffman by five.

    Woodard, the 2012 SLC Freshman of the Year, is a three-time All-SLC selection.  

    UCA opens the 2015 season on Thursday, Sept. 3 at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. The Bears follow that with a matchup at Big 12 Oklahoma State on Sept. 12 in Stillwater.