BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Rising senior linebacker Mario Brown has been named preseason second-team Division I FCS All-America by Lindy's College Football Preview Magazine.

The former J.L. Mann (S.C.) High standout has been honored by the publication for two seasons in a row as a member of its preseason All-America Team.

Brown is entering his third season as a starter with the Runnin' Bulldogs at linebacker, and has experience playing both outside and in the middle of the GWU defense. In the past two seasons, the 6-foot-2, 230-pounder has registered a combined 213 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 14 pass break ups and 7.0 quarterback sacks.

He is a two-time All-America selection on the Division I FCS level, earning honorable mention honors last season (Sports Network) after recording 104 hits, 14 tackles for loss, six break ups and two sacks.

Brown was a third-team All-America choice in 2006 (Football Gazette) after leading Gardner-Webb with 109 tackles (55 solo). He also had 12 tackles for loss and a career-high 5.0 sacks that season. His 25-tackle effort in a win at Southeastern Louisiana earned Brown consensus National Defensive Player of the Week honors in 2006.

The Greenville, S.C., native has been selected first-team All-Big South Conference twice in his career, and is a strong candidate for the league's top defensive honor heading into the 2008 campaign. Brown has also emerged as a prospect for the 2009 NFL Draft.

Gardner-Webb opens its 2008 season on Thursday, August 28, at Tennessee Tech (8:00 pm ET kickoff).