CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University head football coach Jeff Faris and the Governors' coaching staff added 24 signees, with one transfer, two junior college, and 21 high school players joining the Govs during December's early signing period.

Austin Peay signed five players from the State of Tennessee, highlighted by transfer wide receiver Walker Merrill, who began his career at Tennessee before transferring to Wake Forest. The Govs also signed wide receiver Clay Merrill, who is the younger brother of Walker; both prepped at Brentwood High School.
The Governors rounded out the in-state signees with a trio of players from the Midstate; offensive lineman Sam Roston (Brentwood HS) is joined by defensive backs Isaac Bonds (Centennial HS) and AJ Morton (East Nashville Magnet HS).

Faris and company also signed five players from the State of Alabama, highlighted by Niko Barnes, who began his career at East Central Community College in Mississippi. From the Alabama prep ranks, the Govs added defensive lineman Chandler Vaughn and offensive lineman Aaron Young, who were teammates at Bob Jones High School, in addition to wide receiver Denver Harper (Russell County HS) and offensive lineman AJ Williams (Thompson HS).

Austin Peay added five players from North Carolina with quarterback Trey Blakeney, defensive back Morgan Linton, and wide receiver Syir Sutton all signing out of Hough High School. Austin Peay also added defensive linemen Xavier Lewis (Rolesville HS) and Adrian Scott (Corvian Community HS) from The Old North State.

From the State of Georgia, the Governors four prep signees included defensive back Saalim Davis (Gainesville HS [Fla.]), tight end Evan Gober (Brookwood HS), Jason Grier Jr. (North Cobb HS), and wide receiver Kamari Maxwell (New Hampstead HS).

Austin Peay rounded out the class with two more offensive linemen and three defensive linemen. Starting on the offensive side, Stratton Smith (Northwest Mississippi CC) is the Govs' second junior college addition and is joined by three-star Ben Stotts (Christian Academy of Louisville). On defense, the Governors added Elijah Daniels (Buchholz HS), Sammy Green (Hilliard Bradley HS), and Anthwone Montgomery II (Vero Beach HS).

Barnes, Blakeney, Green, Lewis, Maxwell, W. Merrill, Montgomery, Smith, Sutton, and Williams will join the Governors for the spring semester and be eligible to participate in spring practice as early enrollees. The December signing period continues through Friday. Faris and the Austin Peay coaching staff then turn their attention toward the February signing period, which opens Feb. 5.

For more offseason news and updates on Austin Peay football, follow along on X and Instagram or be sure to check back at LetsGoPeay.com.

December 2025 Signing Class

‡ - early enrollee/mid-year transfer (10)