CONWAY, Ark.  — University of Central Arkansas offensive lineman Cole Caruthers has been named a preseason first-team FCS All-American by College Sports Madness. The organization has also slotted the Bears at No. 33 in its preseason FCS Poll.

Caruthers, a senior tackle from Sugar Land, Texas, was a second-team All-Southland Conference selection last fall after helping the Bears' offense average  452.9 yards per game. Caruthers is a two-time All-SLC selection and one of 17 seniors on the UCA squad heading into the 2014 season. He is the third Bear to earn preseason All-American honors in 2014, joining Jatavious Wilson and Jonathan Woodard, who were both named to the 3rd team by The Sports Network last month.

The Bears, who were 7-5 and tied for third in the SLC last season, were 33rd in the CSM preseason poll. Under new head coach Steve Campbell, UCA opens the 2014 season on Aug. 30 at Texas Tech.