SEARCY – Eric Mitchell, a junior offensive lineman from Harrison, Arkansas, has been named to the Hero Sports Preseason All-America Team.

Mitchell, who started all 11 games last season at left tackle, is the lone returning starter on the offensive line that paved the way for Harding to rush for 371.7 yards per game. The Bisons also allowed only two sacks on 86 passing attempts.

Mitchell has played in all 22 games over the last two seasons after spending 2012 as a redshirt. He is a health and kinesiology major and has twice earned Academic All-Great American Conference honors.

Hero Sports says on its website (www.herosports.com) that its mission is to advance interest and appreciation for small-school athletics through aggregating and publicizing stories about teams, players, fans, and coaches.