CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University’s football team increased its speed and athleticism with the 12 players added Wednesday on college football’s National Signing Day.
The Governors depth to both sides of the football, in particular, adding speed to the wide receiver and tight end positions as well as defensive end. The Governors also added an explosive running back.
“We filled needs, that’s what we usually do recruiting-wise with the best players we can and from there we spot pick people we think are going to fit into our program and fit chemistry of what we are trying to do,” APSU coach Rick Christophel said. “We are excited about the people we have signed.
“Out of the 12 guys, we will redshirt a good portion of them. There will be two or three of them that will have to play. But the offensive linemen and two of the defensive ends, hopefully, we will be able to redshirt. We signed two really good, athletic tight end candidates that we believe are really going to be good football players down the line. Our recruiting efforts fit the needs of what we had to have. “
The Governors, in particular, added speed at wide receiver in Mikhail Creech, of Ooltewah High School, and Brett Pippen, of Sevier County, and LaDarius Chatman, of Craigmont.
“We lose four wide receivers next year,” Christophel said. “We signed four or five last year and now we have added more, that helps with our depth.”
However, the most impressive aspect of the Govs recruiting was their ability to not only add athleticism to the roster but versatility as well. Corey Teague was signed as a 6-1, 230-pound defensive end, but he also played wide receiver and running back at Ezell Harding. Dustin McPhetridge was an All-State quarterback at Powell High School who threw and rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a senior. He also played linebacker as a senior. He is expected to play tight end for the Governors.
Trey Salisbury played multiple positions at Smith County High School but the Governors project the 6-5, 205 pounder as a defensive end. Samuel Cooper was signed as a 6-4, 220-pound tight end but as a senior at Nashville Christian shifted inside to tackle.
However, the day’s most intriguing signee could be running back Omar Williams. The 5-9 Memphis native (St. George Independent School) overall statistics are impressive enough—1,930 yards rushing on 212 carries, including 23 TDs. But in his last two high school games he combined for more than 650 rushing yards. In the Division 2-A state title game, Williams broke the state championship game records for most rushing attempts (43) and yards (322) in being named the game’s offensive MVP.
“We are really excited about him,” Christophel said. “He is a guy our coaches said we had to get. The thing about Omar is he just lights up the room. He has that ever-present smile and the sparkle in his eyes when he walks in.”
The Governors, who saw J.J. Rutledge, a cornerback, transfer from Air Force at semester start, also added one junior college transfer. Defensive end Malcolm Goines, originally from Chattanooga (Red Bank), will join APSU from Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College.
Governors Signees:
Elijah Annor
Offensive Lineman
6-1, 270
Pearl-Cohn High School
Old Hickory, Tenn.
LaDarius Chatman
Wide Receiver
5-11, 160
Craigmont High School
Memphis, Tenn.
Samuel Cooper
Tight End
6-4, 220
Nashville Christian
Kingston Springs, Tenn.
Mikhail Creech
Wide Receiver
6-3, 175
Ooltewah High School
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Malcolm Goines
Defensive End
6-2, 260
Grand Rapids Community College
Red Bank High School
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Tyler Miles
Lineman
6-4, 300
Science Hill High School
Johnson City, Tenn Brett Pippin
Wide Receiver
5-11, 170
Sevier County High School
Sevierville, Tenn.
Gage Scurlock
Quarterback
5-11, 175
Smith County High School
Elmwood, Tenn.
Trey Salisbury
Defensive End
6-5, 205
Smith County High School
Lebanon, Tenn.
Corey Teague
Defensive End
6-1, 230
Ezell Harding
LaVergne, Tenn.
Omar Williams
Running Back
St. George’s Independent School (Collierville)
Memphis, Tenn.
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