CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay Governors, in many ways, had a successful football season in 2025. Going into last year, the Govs assembled the fifth best recruiting class in the FCS.
Then the team got off to a hot start by knocking off Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro. It was the first time the Govs had beaten an FBS opponent since knocking off Kansas State back in 1987. The team went on to go a perfect 6-0 at home and finished with a 7-5 record. The Govs were left out of the FCS Playoffs, but the progress from year-to-year is undeniable.
Now, head coach Jeff Faris enters this offseason hoping to build off of 2025’s success. Securing the return of star quarterback Chris Parson is a huge deal, but that’s not the only big move Faris has made this offseason.
The college football transfer portal was open at the beginning of the year from Jan. 2 to Jan. 16, and the Govs were able to land several talented players during that timeframe. The team has announced a total of 43 transfer portal additions, however. Here are some of the most notable new Govs.
Chance Fitzgerald, WR, Vanderbilt
Chance Fitzgerald is a native of Middle Tennessee and graduated from Nolensville High School. Originally rated as a four-star recruit by 247Sports, Fitzgerald committed to Virginia Tech out of high school.
After playing sparingly for the Hokies over two seasons, Fitzgerald transferred to Vanderbilt for the 2025 season. The receiver didn’t appear in a game for the Commodores and entered the portal with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
In Clarksville, Fitzgerald should be another big-bodied target for Parson to throw to, as the pair will now look to build chemistry ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Braylon Harmon, WR, Tennessee
Fitzgerald isn’t the only receiver Faris snagged from the SEC. Braylon Harmon also comes to Clarksville after spending two seasons with the Volunteers. Harmon appeared in four games in 2025 and caught one pass for 41 yards, according to Sports Reference.
Like Fitzgerald, Harmon is a Tennessee native who will be looking to get more targets than he did last season, as he prepares for a new opportunity with APSU.
Kendal Howard, EDGE, Wake Forest
Kendal Howard was originally a three-star prospect out of Lord Botetourt High School in Daleville, Virginia.
The talented pass-rusher committed to Wake Forest out of high school but didn’t see any action in two seasons with the team.
Hamilton DiBoyan, K, South Alabama
The Govs needed a kicker after former starter Carson Smith transferred to Arizona State this offseason. Hamilton DiBoyan has FBS experience and should handle kicking duties in 2026.
In 2025, DiBoyan went 20-of-22 on extra points and 6-of-9 on field goals, according to Sports Reference, and the kicker made both of his field goal attempts between 40 and 49 yards.
Justin Wimpye, DB, Youngstown State
Justin Wimpye was extremely productive in 2025 for the Youngstown State Penguins. The Cincinnati native racked up 60 tackles, 11 pass deflections, and three interceptions in 2025, according to the athletics department of Youngstown State.
247Sports rated Wimpye as a three-star transfer prospect this offseason.
David Portu, EDGE, Charleston Southern
Like Wimpye, David Portu is another incoming Gov who was productive at the FCS level in 2025.
At Charleston Southern, Portu racked up 43 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and four pass deflections according to the athletics department of Charleston Southern. The Florida native was also rated a three-star transfer prospect by 247Sports.
Jefferson Desca, ILB, Wheeling
Jefferson Desca arguably had the best 2025 season of any incoming Gov. Desca played for D-II Wheeling University and collected 114 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two interceptions, according to Wheeling University athletics.
Desca, originally from Canada, could be an immediate contributor in the middle of the Govs defense.
Matthew Wilson, QB, Appalachian State
The Govs made it a point to retain Chris Parson as their starting quarterback next season, but it never hurts to have depth. Matthew Wilson spent the first two seasons of his college career at App State but didn’t receive a ton of playing time.
The quarterback completed 12 of his 22 pass attempts for 128 yards and two interceptions in 2025 according to Sports Reference. Wilson was originally a three-star prospect out of Rock Hill High School in South Carolina.
William Wiebush, S, Wake Forest
William Wiebush is another Tennessee native who is coming back to his home state. Wiebush was originally a three-star prospect out of Page High School in Franklin and spent 2025 with Wake Forest.
Wiebush didn’t see any action last season, but he should factor into the Govs’ secondary rotation in 2026.
Ben Marshall, TE, California
Ben Marshall is yet another Tennessee native. The tight end spent his first three collegiate seasons playing for the Cal Golden Bears.
Marshall has experience playing on both sides of the ball, so it’ll be interesting to see how he’s used by the Govs in 2026-27.
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