CONWAY, Ark. _ University of Central Arkansas defensive end Jonathan Woodard was a first-team selection on the STATS FCS Preseason All-America team on Thursday.

    Woodard, a senior from Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tenn., was joined on the three teams by eight other Southland Conference players, two of those on the first team. 
  
  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 and was a finalist for the 2014 Buck Buchanan Award.  

    Woodard and the Bears open the 2015 season on Thursday, Sept. 3 at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.