APSU Sports Information
Clarksville, TN – The dynamic defensive duo of defensive end Jaison Williams and linebacker Gunnar Scholato earned more preseason recognition ahead of the 2018 season, as Phil Steele named the standouts to his Preseason FCS All-America Team.
Williams, a junior, has been named to the second team while Scholato, a senior, has been named to the fourth team.
Williams led the team and finished second in the Ohio Valley Conference with 9.5 sacks. He compiled 44 total tackles, including 11.5 for loss, and tied the program record with four forced fumbles.
He also led the team with 13 quarterback hurries on the season. He was recently named second-team Preseason All-America by STATS and HERO Sports and also earned Preseason All-America recognition from Lindy’s and Street & Smith.
Scholato led the Governors in tackles for the second-straight season, racking up 99 total stops, including a team-leading 12 behind the line of scrimmage. He proved to be more than just a tackling machine, as he recovered two fumbles, recorded an interception and blocked a field goal attempt. He recently earned third-team Preseason All-America honors from STATS and HERO Sports.
Phil Steele tabbed Williams as his Preseason OVC Defensive Player of the Year. Williams and Scholato are joined by offensive lineman Kyle Anderton and punter Devin Stuart on Steele’s first-team Preseason All-OVC squad.
On his second-team Preseason All-OVC, Steele has quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall, running back Kentel Williams, offensive linemen Ryan Rockensuess and Byron Glass, and defensive back Malik Davis. Running back Ahmaad Tanner made the third-team Preseason All-OVC, according to Steele.
The Govs will hold their first intrasquad scrimmage at 10:00am Saturday, August 11th at Fortera Stadium. The scrimmage is open to public, and fans can sit in the west (home) grandstand.
Austin Peay opens the season against reining SEC Champion and FBS national runner-up Georgia at 2:30pm CT on September 1st.
