Austin Peay Football Announces 2025-26 Roster

austin Peay Women’s Basketball Adds Three Transfers for Upcoming Season

Clarksville, TN – The Austin Peay State University women’s basketball team has bolstered its roster with the addition of three talented transfers, announced today. Head Coach brittany Smith has brought in guard Jada Williams, forward Lameria Thomas, and forward Maeva Fotsa, each poised to contribute to the Governors’ program.

Williams arrives from Georgia State, where she made a notable impact over two seasons. The Waxahachie, Texas native started 39 of 61 games, averaging 9.5 points and 23.1 minutes per contest. Notably, she showcased her scoring prowess with a 21-point performance against Clemson in December 2023 and a career-best 24 points against Coastal Carolina in January. Before her time with the Panthers, Williams excelled at Hutchinson Community College, starting in 65 of 66 games and reaching double figures in a remarkable 61 of those appearances, including 27 games with 20+ points. Her high school career at Waxahachie HS saw her surpass 1,500 career points.

“Jada is a dynamic guard who can score in multiple ways,” said Coach smith. “Her experience at the Division I level and her proven ability to put the ball in the basket will be a huge asset.”

Joining Williams is Lameria Thomas, a forward transferring from Shelton State Community College. Thomas played in 67 games,making 44 starts,and averaged 6.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. The Montgomery,Alabama native demonstrated her rebounding ability with a career-high 21 rebounds against East Mississippi Community College. Thomas also brings championship experience, having been a key contributor to Prattville Christian Academy’s three Alabama State Championship teams (2021, 2022, 2023), including the program’s first title in 2021.

“Lameria is a tough, physical player who excels on the glass,” Coach Smith commented. “Her rebounding and defensive presence will be invaluable to our team.”

Rounding out the transfer class is Maeva Fotsa,a forward who joins the Governors after time at both george Washington and South Georgia tech. At South Georgia Tech, Fotsa was a dominant force, averaging 12.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game during the 2023-24 season. She scored in double figures in 19 games, with four reaching the 20-point mark, and recorded 17 games with 10 or more rebounds. Her career-highs include 26 points against Shelton State and 19 rebounds against hillsborough.

“Maeva is a versatile forward with a knack for rebounding and scoring,” said Coach Smith. “Her size and athleticism will add another dimension to our offense and defense.”

Looking Ahead: The Growing Trend of Transfer Portal Impact

these additions highlight a growing trend in college basketball: the increased utilization of the transfer portal. Historically,recruiting focused heavily on high school prospects. Now, coaches are strategically leveraging the portal to address immediate needs and quickly elevate program competitiveness. Transfers bring experience, often filling specific skill gaps, and can contribute immediately, unlike freshmen who require development time.

the success of a program increasingly hinges on its ability to identify and integrate these experienced players. Austin Peay’s additions demonstrate a focused approach to building a roster capable of competing in the ASUN Conference and beyond. fans can follow the Governors’ season updates on X and Instagram (@GovsWBB) and at LetsGoPeay.com.

What key stats will be used to evaluate the performance of the quarterbacks?

New Faces & Returning Governors: A Deep Dive

The Austin Peay State University football program has officially unveiled its roster for the highly anticipated 2025-26 season. Head Coach Scotty Walden and his staff have been busy assembling a team poised to compete in the United Athletic Conference (UAC). This roster blends seasoned veterans with exciting new talent, signaling a commitment to sustained success for Austin Peay football.Here’s a complete breakdown of the key players and positional groups.

Quarterback Corps: Leadership and Competition

The quarterback position will be a focal point heading into the season.

Returning Starter: Junior signal-caller Mike DiLiello is expected to lead the offence once again. DiLiello finished the 2024 season with impressive passing numbers and a strong command of the offense. His experience will be crucial.

New Additions: Freshman recruit Jaxon Smothers, a three-star prospect from Nashville, TN, brings athleticism and a strong arm.He’s expected to compete for playing time and develop as a future leader. Walk-on transfer,Ben Harris,adds depth.

Key Stats to Watch: Completion percentage, passing yards per game, and interception rate will be critical indicators of quarterback performance.

Running Backs: Power and Versatility

Austin Peay’s running game aims to be a cornerstone of the offense.

Leading Rusher: Senior Terrence Edwards returns as the team’s leading rusher from the previous season.His power and ability to break tackles make him a threat in the red zone.

Speed Threat: Sophomore Elijah davis provides a change of pace with his remarkable speed and agility. He’s a valuable asset in open space.

fresh Faces: The addition of transfer running back, Jamal Thompson, from Eastern Kentucky, is expected to add another dimension to the running attack.

Offensive Line Impact: The success of the running backs will heavily rely on the performance of the offensive line, particularly in creating running lanes.

Wide Receivers & Tight Ends: Explosive Playmakers

The receiving corps boasts a mix of experience and youthful potential.

Top Receiver: Senior Trey Goodman is the go-to target for DiLiello. His route-running ability and reliable hands make him a consistent threat.

Emerging Talent: Sophomore wide receiver, Camren thomas, showed flashes of brilliance in 2024 and is poised for a breakout season.

Tight End Contribution: junior tight end, Jacob dunning, is a reliable target in the passing game and a strong blocker.

Red Zone Targets: expect Goodman and Dunning to be key targets in the red zone, utilizing their size and athleticism.

Defensive Line: Stopping the Run & Pressuring the Quarterback

The defensive line is tasked with disrupting opposing offenses.

Defensive end Anchors: Senior defensive ends, Jalen Johnson and Demetrius Dicker, are expected to lead the pass rush and set the edge against the run.

Defensive Tackle Strength: Junior defensive tackle, Michael Harris, provides interior pressure and anchors the run defense.

New Recruits: The coaching staff added three highly-rated defensive linemen in the recruiting class,aiming to bolster the depth and talent on the line.

Sack Leaders: Johnson and Harris are projected to be the team’s leading sack artists.

Linebackers: The Heart of the Defense

The linebacker corps is crucial for stopping the run and covering receivers.

Leading Tackler: Senior linebacker, David Schwietz, is the team’s leading tackler and a vocal leader on defense.

Coverage Specialist: Junior linebacker,Kaleb Banks,excels in pass coverage and is a key asset against opposing tight ends and running backs.

Run Stopper: Sophomore linebacker, Jamar Moss, is a physical presence who excels at stopping the run.

Defensive Playcalling: The linebackers will play a vital role in executing the defensive playcalling and making adjustments during games.

Secondary: Coverage and Ball Hawks

The secondary aims to limit passing yards and create turnovers.

Cornerback Duo: Seniors Jamal Wade and Marcus Trice form a formidable cornerback duo, known for their coverage skills and ability to challenge receivers.

Safety Leadership: Junior safety, Johnathan Stone, is a hard-hitting safety who provides leadership and stability to the secondary.

Ball-Hawking Ability: the coaching staff emphasizes creating turnovers, and the secondary is expected to be a key component in achieving that goal.

Pass Breakups: Wade and Trice are projected to lead the team in pass breakups.

Special Teams: A Critical Component

Kicker: Sophomore kicker, Maddux Trujillo, is expected to handle kicking duties.

Punter: Senior punter, Logan Hughes, provides consistency and leg strength.

Return Specialists: The coaching staff is evaluating several players for return specialist roles, focusing on speed and agility.

* Field Position: Special teams play will be crucial in controlling field position and providing scoring opportunities.