CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Over this past weekend, Austin Peay’s starting quarterback Chris Parson took to social media to announce his plans of returning to APSU for the 2026-27 college football season. Then, the redshirt sophomore quarterback broke down his decision with Govs head football coach Jeff Faris on the Q108 Morning Crew show with Kyle and Tiffany.
Parson transferred to Austin Peay after playing in the SEC for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. In 2025, he put up big numbers in the FCS with the Govs, as he threw for over 3,000 passing yards with 23 passing touchdowns, while limiting his interceptions to 5. He also showed off his dual-threat capabilities as he ran for over 740 rushing yards with 14 rushing touchdowns.
APSU finished the 2025 season with a 7-5 record, which included going undefeated at home, while Parson’s success in Clarksville led him to be named a 2025 Stats Perform Walter Payton Award Finalist, as well as a 2025 First Team All-UAC selection, according to APSU athletics.
National championship intentions
“I’m coming back for the 2026 season, ready to make a run for the national championship,” Parson said on Q108. “I love my teammates, love Coach Faris and the rest of the coaching staff, coming back was the best decision for me. I’m excited to get this thing rolling, I’m excited to get back to Clarksville and get to work.”
Parson said that he feels as though he’s returning to his family, as Clarksville feels like home to him. “I feel like we have unfinished business,” he said. “Missing out on the opportunity to be with those guys, that was something I didn’t want to pass up.”
He said that in the back of his mind, he always knew that Austin Peay is where he wanted to be.
As for Faris, he said retaining Parson’s is an early Christmas gift, and he’s glad he got his commitment before Dec. 25. “The on-the-field production is unbelievable that he’s had, but he’s so much more than that. He’s the leader not only on the football team, but at our university and in this community. He’s everything right with college football, and there’s no bigger fan of Chris than me.”
APSU football 2026-27 schedule
- Game 1: Sept. 5, at Vanderbilt University.
- Game 2: Sept 12, vs Morehead State University.
- Game 3: Sept 19, at North Dakota State.
- Game 4: Oct. 10, vs Tarleton State.
- Game 5: Oct. 17, at West Georgia.
- Game 6: Oct. 24, at North Alabama.
- Game 7: Nov. 7, vs Eastern Kentucky.
- Game 8: Nov. 14, vs Abilene Christian.
- Game 9: Nov. 21, at Central Arkansas.
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