APSU Sports Information
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University (APSU) head football coach Mark Hudspeth announced 11 signees for the 2019 class during the first day of the early signing period, Wednesday, December 19th, 2018.
The first part of Hudspeth’s initial signing class at Austin Peay includes nine high school seniors, one prep school transfer and one mid-year transfer.
Six of the additions hail from Tennessee, three are from Alabama and one each come from Kentucky and Mississippi.
“I think they’re a very talented group,” Hudspeth said. “I think this is a group that’s coming in on the ground floor with a new head coach and a new staff. I’m excited for them and excited they’re going to join our family at Austin Peay.”
One of the focal points of the early signing period was to bring in talent along the offensive and defensive fronts. The Govs offensive line lost three four-year starters to graduation, and the defensive line also lost three starters to graduation. Six of the incoming student-athletes will play along the line of scrimmage for the Govs.
“Once we came in and had a chance to evaluate the roster, obviously they graduated some very talented guys up front on both sides of the ball, so that’s been a major point of emphasis,” Hudspeth said.
It’s been a whirlwind week for Hudspeth, who was announced as the 20th head football coach at APSU Tuesday, December 11th. The Governors hosted a recruiting event this past weekend, so among all of his other duties in being introduced as head coach, Hudspeth had to evaluate recruits in just a week’s time.
“It’s been a really big undertaking considering we were able to sign this class today with the limited staff that was here,” Hudspeth said. “I have to give a lot of credit to the graduate assistants that kept this class intact during the transition. I really appreciate all the athletics department support staff, the GA’s and coach (Marquase) Lovings, who came on board early to close this first signing day out. A lot of people put a lot of hard work in, and we’re really excited about the guys that we signed today.”
The APSU Signees
Gavin Campbell
OL, 6-5, 285, Southaven, Mississippi (DeSoto Central HS)
Played offensive tackle at DeSoto Central High School, and was a first-team all-district selection as a senior. He was chosen to participate in the 2018 Bernard Blackwell North/South All-Star Classic and the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game
TeKael DeMunn
LB/DB, 6-0, 200, Opelika, Alabama (Opelika HS)
A versatile defender who spent time at linebacker and strong safety for coach Erik Speakman at Opelika High School. As a senior, he posted 49 tackles, 2.0 sacks and two forced fumbles in eight games, and recorded 72 total tackles, including 4.0 for loss, in 13 games as a junior. He helped lead Opelika to the Alabama state quarterfinals in 2017. He also played basketball and baseball.
JaQuan Foote
LB, 6-0, 220, Opelika, Alabama (Opelika HS)
Played linebacker for coach Erik Speakman at Opelika High School and had 46 tackles, 1.0 sack and a pass deflection during his senior season. He posted 68 tackles as a junior and helped led Opelika to the Alabama state quarterfinals in 2017. He comes from a football family, and is related to former NFL players Larry Foote and Lardarius Webb.
Derreion Greenlee
DL, 6-1, 284, Memphis, Tennessee (Lausanne Collegiate School)
A two-way player, he starred at Lausanne Collegiate School along the offensive and defensive lines. He helped lead Lausanne to the state semifinals in his senior year. He also competed in track and field in shot put and discus.
Caden McKinnis
DL, 6-3, 272, Russellville, Kentucky (Logan County HS)
Played defensive tackle for coach Todd Adler at Logan County High School. He was named to the 2018 Kentucky Best of the Bluegrass All-Star team. As a junior, he led the team with 86 tackles and helped Logan County go from four straight winless seasons to 10-0 in the regular season and a win in the playoffs. He was named first-team All-Sky Conference as a junior and senior. Rivals and 247sports.com tabbed him as a two-star prospect, and he’s ranked the No. 36 prospect in the state of Kentucky by 247sports.com. He held an offer from the United States Military Academy, among others.
Blake Mitchell
OL, 6-0, 310, Brentwood, Tennessee (Ensworth HS/Mississippi State)
Walked on at Mississippi State as a reserve offensive lineman in 2017. He played in three games as a freshman, primarily on special teams, and appeared four times during his sophomore season. He played on the offensive and defensive lines at Ensworth High School.
Geordon Pollard
WR, 6-2, 186, Pinson, Alabama (Pinson Valley HS)
Played wide receiver at Pinson Valley High School, and helped lead his team to a state championship in his senior year. A natural athlete, he transitioned to football after a successful prep career as a basketball player as a guard/forward.
David Russell III
DL, 6-1, 274, Nashville, Tennessee (Father Ryan HS)
Played defensive end for coach Brian Rector at Father Ryan High School. He earned all-region distinction as a senior, and was selected preseason all-state. He played in the 2018 East vs. West Tennessee All-Star Classic held at Fortera Stadium. 247sports.com rated him as a two-star prospect. He also played basketball for Father Ryan.
Lelan Wilhoite
ATH, 5-10, 179, Murfreesboro, Tennessee (Siegel HS/Jireh Prep Academy)
Comes to Austin Peay after spending the fall at Jireh Prep Academy. He played running back at Siegel High School as a senior, and rushed for 1,692 yards and 18 touchdowns. As a junior at Nashville Christian High School, he rushed for 1,212 and 19 scores, and he combined for 864 yards and eight touchdowns during his freshman and sophomore seasons. He was named a three-star prospect by Rivals and held offers from FBS programs Appalachian State, Central Michigan and Coastal Carolina. The speedster also competed in track and field.
Jariel Wilson
RB, 5-9, 188, Franklin, Tennessee (Centennial HS)
Played running back at Centennial High School, and was named the 2018 6A Offensive Player of the Year after his senior campaign. He earned 6A All-Conference recognition as a sophomore, junior and senior. Additionally, he played guard for the basketball team.
Zach Yates
OL, 6-2, 320, Eads, Tennssee (Briarcrest Christian HS)
Played tackle and guard along the offensive line for Briarcrest Christian High School. He was named second-team TSSAA D2AAA All-Region as a junior and senior. He was selected to participate in the 2018 East vs. West Tennessee All-Star Classic held at Fortera Stadium.
From APSU Head Coach Mark Hudspeth
On the rest of the recruiting cycle
“Over the course of the next five weeks, we have a quite a few left to sign, which is a good thing. That will allow the rest of our coaching staff, once they get here, to help evaluate our incoming players and help the recruiting process.”
