CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Eleven Austin Peay State University football players were named to the Phil Steele All-United Athletic Conference Preseason Teams ahead of the 2026 season, highlighted by junior quarterback Chris Parson, who was selected as the publication's UAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

Parson, from Brentwood, Tennessee, was the 2025 First Team All-UAC quarterback in a revelatory first season in Clarksville. The Ravenwood High School product threw for 3,003 yards in his first season as a Governor, with 23 touchdowns through the air along with a team-high (and program record for a quarterback) 14 scores on the ground. Parson didn't only lead the Governors in rushing with 743 yards – he finished fifth in the UAC in rushing yards and was one of only three quarterbacks in the nation with 3,000 yards passing and 700 yards rushing. 

Austin Peay's signal-caller was named Third Team All-American by both Stats Perform and FCS Football Central in 2025, in addition to being named a finalist for the Stats Perform Walter Payton Award, given annually to the most outstanding offensive player in FCS. This preseason, he was named UAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year in addition to earning a pair of preseason All-America honors from Stats Perform and FCS Football Central. Parson also was named to the 2026 Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List in July. 

Parson was joined on Phil Steele's first team offense by wide receiver Jaden Robinson, tight end Jackson Head and offensive lineman Joshua Sales Jr. - a Preseason First Team All-American by FCS Football Central and Stats Perform FCS and a Second Team Preseason All-American by Phil Steele - all of whom also earned Preseason First Team All-UAC recognition from the league's head coaches. Senior wide receiver Nate Garnett Jr. was named to Phil Steele's second team.

On defense, senior transfers David Portu (Charleston Southern) and Jefferson Bretanys Desca (Wheeling) earned first-team honors, while defensive lineman Antori Hamilton, linebacker Jake Stonebraker and defensive back Quan Peterson, a Newberry transfer, were second-team selections.

Senior punter Logan Leftrick rounded out Austin Peay's representation on the Phil Steele preseason team as the first-team All-UAC punter. 

The Governors kick off the 2026 season, Aug. 27 against Gardner-Webb at Fortera Stadium; season and single-game tickets are on sale now by calling 931-221-PEAY. For news, updates, and future ticket information, follow Govs football on X (@GovsFB), Instagram (@GovsFootball), and Facebook, or stay tuned here at LetsGoPeay.com.