KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island Football's linebacker A.J. Pena was named to the FCS Football Central Preseason All-American Team, per an announcement put out by the organization on Monday.

Pena garnered a spot on the Second Team and was one of 10 CAA Football players to earn the recognition. Delaware, Elon, Richmond, Towson, UAlbany and William & Mary were also represented. 

A returning All-CAA Football Third Team honoree, Pena enters his junior campaign with the ninth-most career sacks in program history (14.5). A year ago, he finished 12th in the country with 0.82 sacks per regular season game. He also checked into the top-20 in TFLs, coming in at 17th overall (15.5). 

With 81 career tackles, he is well within reach of eclipsing the centennial mark. The Branchburg, N.J. native has appeared in 22-straight games for the Rams over two years and will be one of the team's leaders on the defensive side of the ball. 

This marks the second-straight year that Rhode Island has rostered a Preseason All-American, as former offensive lineman Nick Correia was tabbed by numerous organizations in 2023. 

2024 FCS Football Central Preseason All-American Team
First-Team Offense
QB: Mark Gronowski (South Dakota State)
RB: Lan Larison (UC Davis)
RB: Jamar Curtis (Lafayette)
RB: ShunDerrick Powell (Central Arkansas)
WR: Efton Chism III (Eastern Washington)
WR: Javin Whatley (Chattanooga)
WR: Darius Cooper (Tarleton State)
WR: Nick DeGennaro (Richmond)
TE: JJ Galbreath (South Dakota)
OL: Marcus Wehr (Montana State)
OL: Charles Grant (William & Mary)
OL: Gus Miller (South Dakota State)
OL: Jackson Slater (Sacramento State)
OL: Grey Zabel (North Dakota State)
OL: Nick Taiste (South Carolina State)
AP: Marcus Yarns (Delaware)

First-Team Defense
DL: David Walker (Central Arkansas)
DL: Elijah Williams (Morgan State)
DL: Marlon Taylor (Chattanooga)
DL: Dylan Hendricks (North Dakota State)
DL: Brody Grebe (Montana State)
LB: Adam Bock (South Dakota State)
LB: Micah Davey (McNeese State)
LB: Noah Martin (Samford)
LB: Erick Hunter (Morgan State)
LB: Amir Abdullah (Illinois State)
DB: Tucker Large (South Dakota State)
DB: Cole Wisniewski (North Dakota State) 
DB: Isas Waxter (Villanova) 
DB: Dalys Beanum (South Dakota State) 
DB: Kenny Gallop Jr. (Howard)

First-Team Special Teams
K: Will Leyland (South Dakota) 
P: Trey Wilhoit (Florida A&M) 
KR: Abraham Williams (Idaho) 
PR: Tucker Large (South Dakota State) 
AP: Junior Bergen (Montana)

Second-Team Offense
QB: Cole Gonzales (Western Carolina)
QB: Cam Miller (North Dakota State)
RB: Bronson Yoder (William & Mary)
RB: Kayvon Britten (Tarleton State)
RB: Amar Johnson (South Dakota State)
WR: Bo Belquist (North Dakota)
WR: Jared Richardson (Penn)
WR: Carter Bell (South Dakota)
WR: Daniel Sobkowicz (Illinois State)
TE: Carter Runyon (Towson)
TE: Cole Grossman (Montana)
OL: Justus Perkins (Montana State)
OL: Ryder Langsdale (Lafayette)
OL: Payton Collins (Eastern Kentucky)
OL: Evan Beernsten (South Dakota State)
OL: Jaison Williams (Youngstown State)
OL: Reid Williams (Chattanooga)
AP: Tommy Mellott (Montana State)
AP: Griffin Woodell (UAlbany)

Second-Team Defense
DL: Elijah Ponder (Cal Poly)
DL: Dallas Afalava (Idaho)
DL: Eli Mostaert (North Dakota State)
DL: Ckelby Givens (Southern)
DL: Finn Claypool (Drake)
DL: Malachi Bailey (Alcorn State)
LB: Riley Wilson (Montana)
LB: Logan Kopp (North Dakota State)
LB: Shane Hartzell (Villanova)
LB: Ken Standley (Mercer)
LB: William McRainey (ETSU)
LB: A.J. Pena (Rhode Island)
DB: Saiku White (Lafayette)
DB: Trevin Gradney (Montana)
DB: Caleb Curtain (Elon)
DB: Isaiah Reed (Brown)
DB: Oshae Baker (UT Martin)
DB: TaMuarion Wilson (Central Arkansas)

Second-Team Special Teams
K: Griffin Crosa (North Dakota State)
P: Matt Noll (Jackson State)
KR: Donovan Wadley (Merrimack)
PR: Darius Lewis (Southeastern Louisiana) 
AP: Jaylon Spears (Nicholls State)