CONWAY, Ark._ The University of Central Arkansas had a league-high eight players named to the 2022 All-ASUN Conference Football Team on Wednesday, along with the Defensive Player of the Year and the Freshman of the Year awards.

    Sophomore defensive end David Walker was named the Defensive Player of the Year, while freshman offensive lineman Will Diggins is the 2022 Freshman of the Year.

    The All-ASUN selections included: Walker, defensive end Logan Jessup, safety Cameron Godfrey, safety TaMuarion Wilson, running back Darius Hale, wide receiver Jarrod Barnes, offensive lineman Jaylin Hendrix and punter Chandler Caughron.

    Walker, a sophomore from Stuttgart (Ark.) High School and Southern Arkansas, led the ASUN and all of FCS in tackles for loss (22, minus 107 yards) and was first in the ASUN and second in FCS in sacks (12, minus 83 yards). Walker finished his first season at UCA with 66 total tackles, one pass breakup and one forced fumble.

    Diggins was a key element on UCA's offensive line that helped the Bears average 434.5 yards and 32.1 points per game. Hendrix, a senior from Everman (Texas) High School, is a three-year starter for the Bears in the offensive line.

    Jessup, Walker's counterpart at defensive end, is a junior from Wynne (Ark.) High School who finished the season with 47 total tackles, including 12.0 tackles for loss (-50 yards) and 7.5 sacks (-42), along with three pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

    Hale, a sophomore from Pearland (Texas) High School, was UCA's leading rusher for the second consecutive season, finishing with 954 yards and 10 touchdowns, despite missing most of three games due to injury. Hale also had two receiving touchdowns.

    Wilson, a sophomore from Bryant (Ark. ) High School, led the Bears and the ASUN in tackles with 104, including 6.5 tackles for loss (-34) and 2.0 sacks (-20). He also had two interceptions, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

    Godfrey, a junior from Klein Collins High School in Spring, Texas, led the Bears with three interceptions to go along with 48 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a team-high seven pass breakups.

    Caughron, a sophomore from Evangel Christian High School in Memphis, Tenn., led the ASUN in punting this season with a 42.4-yard average on 40 punts.

    Barnes, a junior from Cabot (Ark.) High School, was UCA's leading receiver with 40 receptions for 708 yards and five touchdowns. Barnes also returned 17 punts for a 15.1-yard average, including a pair of touchdown returns.