CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears had three football players named Monday to the STATS FCS preseason All-America team.

    Senior offensive guard Stockton Mallett (Harrison, Ark.) was a second-team selection, while senior cornerback Tremon Smith (Anniston, Ala.) and senior rover George Odum (Millington, Tenn.) were third-team All-America selections. Ten Southland Conference players received All-America honors from STATS.

    Mallett was a first-team All-Southland selection in 2016, helping the UCA offense finish second in the league in rushing offense and scoring offense, and fourth in total offense. Smith and Odum were also first-team All-SLC picks last fall. Odum was UCA's leading tackler and ranked eighth in the SLC with 86 total tackles (league-high 60 solo tackles). Smith is a two-time All-SLC cornerback who also returns punts for the Bears.

    UCA, picked second in the SLC preseason poll, opens the 2017 season on the road at Big 12 Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan., on Sept. 2. The Bears' first home game is Sept. 16 when they open league play against Southeastern Louisiana at First Security Field at Estes Stadium.