14 Arkansas Football Players Make Preseason All-American List

The 25th Annual USA College Football Division II Preseason All-Americans were announced and 14 Arkansas football players representing five schools from the Great American Conference in state have garnered selections.

The Henderson State University Reddies led the way with five players picked, four of whom were first team selections. Bios for each of the Arkansas football players selected first-team preseason All-Americans are below.

Kevin Rodgers

Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-3
Weight: 215
Class: Junior
Hometown: Rockwall, Texas
Previous School: Heath HS

2011: Played in seven games making six starts for the Reddies . . . Named GAC Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 12 when he led Henderson to a 41-36 win over OBU . . . Against the Tigers, he completed 26-of-41 passes for 332 yards, and had scoring strikes of 67, 48, and 36 yards . . . Completed 29-of-49 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns against Delta State . . . Ended the year completing 134-of-215 passes for 1267 yards and 9 scoring strikes . . . A member of the All-GAC Academic Honor Roll.

2010: Redshirted.

PREP: Attended Rockwall-Heath High School where he lettered two years in football . . . A second-team all-district selection and Academic All-State pick his senior year after throwing for 2600 yards and 20 touchdowns . . . Team finished 13-1 his junior season.

PERSONAL: Born Nov. 26, 1991 . . . Son of Ted and Linda Rodgers . . . Has two brothers, Kyle and Rick . . . Enjoys golfing, hunting and playing video games . . . Favorite professional team is the Dallas Cowboys . . . Majoring in Pre-Law.

Kelton Hays

Position: Offensive Lineman
Height: 5-11
Weight: 284
Class: Junior
Hometown: Jonesville, La.
Previous School: Jena HS

2011: A member of the All-GAC Academic Honor Roll . . . Saw extensive playing time and ended the year with grade of 85 percent.

2010: Played in six games . . . Graded out at 78 percent against Southeastern Oklahoma . . . Was a member of the All-GSC Academic Honor Roll.

2009: Redshirted.

PREP: Was a three-sport athlete at Jena High School . . . Had 40 sol stops and 15 assisted tackles his senior year and earned All-District honors on both offense and defense . . . Also earned All-District honors as a center his junior year . . . Competed in track and powerlifting . . . A member of the FCA and National Honor Society.

PERSONAL: Born December 28, 1990 . . . The son of Chris and Nikki Clark . . . Has two brothers Kyle and Kaleb, and one sister, Kinley . . . Favorite professional team is the Pittsburgh Steelers . . . Majoring in business management.

RJ Taylor

Position: Offensive Lineman
Height: 6-0
Weight: 280
Class: Junior
Hometown: Moultrie, Ga.
Previous School: Colquitt County HS

2011: A starter on the offensive line . . . Has been a part of an offensive line that has averaged nearly 400 yards of offense and 31.5 points per game over the past three years.

2010: Participated in 21 plays and had a grade of 81% against ATU . . . Played six games and ended season with a grade of 84 percent . . . A member of the GSC Academic Honor Roll.

2009: Redshirted.

PREP: An All-Region selection as a junior and senior under Coach Rush Propst at Colquitt County High School.

PERSONAL: Born July 6, 1991 . . . Son of the late Ralph E. Taylor and Faye Taylor . . . Has one sister, Brittany . . . Favorite food is fried chicken . . . Majoring in finance.

Keaton Stigger

Position: Linebacker
Height: 6-2
Weight: 245
Class: Senior
Hometown: Collierville, Texas
Previous School: Univ. Central Arkansas

2011: First-team All-GAC selection after leading the Reddies in tackles with 64 stops on the year . . . Had two fumble recoveries including a 16-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Harding . . . Named GAC Defensive Player of the Week against Harding after having nine tackles and a fumble return for a touchdown . . . Recorded a season-best 11 tackles against Southwestern Oklahoma and had 10 tackles against South Alabama . . . A member of the All-GAC Academic Honor Roll.

COLLEGE: Played at Central Arkansas, redshirting in 2009.

PREP: A two-time Class 5A All-Region selection at Collierville High School . . . Selected Best of the Preps by the Commercial Appeal . . . Participated in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl All-Star game . . . Compiled 93 tackles and three sacks his senior season, while also rushing for 627 yards on 81 carries . . . Ended his high school career with 223 tackles . . . Was the team MVP and captain his senior season . . . Lettered three years in football and basketball.

PERSONAL: Born March 6, 1991 . . . Son of Antonio and Jackie Graham . . . Majoring in general studies.