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HomeSportsAPSU Football has Five Players named to HERO Sports preseason All-OVC squad

APSU Football has Five Players named to HERO Sports preseason All-OVC squad

APSU FootballSeattle, WA – Five Austin Peay State University (APSU) football student-athletes have been named to the HERO Sports Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference team, released Tuesday night

Austin Peay State University has Five Govs named to HERO Sports preseason All-OVC squad. (APSU Sports Information)

The defending OVC champions saw wide receiver DeAngelo Wilson and center Blake Mitchell represented on offense, while defensive lineman Josephus Smith, linebacker Jack McDonald and 2019 consensus All-American defensive back Kordell Jackson named to the defensive team. Wilson, Mitchell, Smith and Jackson were also named to the HERO Sports Preseason All-American team in late-May. 

Jackson, a Birmingham, Alabama native, led the OVC with seven interceptions – two returned for touchdowns – and ultimately was responsible for 10 of the APSU Govs 25 turnovers gained. When he wasn’t providing lockdown protection, Jackson could often be found in the opposing backfield, with eight of his 47 tackles resulting in lost yardage.

A Leeds, Alabama native, Smith frequently caused mayhem in the opponent’s backfield, rolling up 18.5 tackles for loss thanks to eight games where he recorded multiple stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also served as the focal point for a run defense which led the OVC and ranked eighth nationally with just 104.1 yards per game allowed.

McDonald converted back to linebacker ahead of his sophomore season and led Austin Peay State University with 118 tackles, including 9.5 tackles for loss. McDonald also had an interception, fumble recovered and fumble forced to help lead APSU to its first Ohio Valley Conference championship since 1977. He was a HERO Sports sophomore All-American in 2019. 

Wilson, a Bowling Green, Kentucky native, returns after piecing together the finest season by a receiver in program history, finishing with 89 catches for 1,564 yards and 15 touchdowns – each program records. He recorded eight 100-yard outings during the season and was the first APSU Govs receiver to average more than 100 yards per game since Lanis Frederick in 2006.

Brentwood, Tennessee product Mitchell was the center for an offensive line that helped the Govs post record-setting offensive numbers in 2019. Austin Peay State University led the OVC in scoring (34.5 ppg), third-down conversions (42.1 percent) and fourth-down conversions (62.1 percent), while the offensive line allowed just 1.00 sacks per game, ranking eighth nationally.

With the Govs’ season opener now just 66 days away, the quickest way for fans to renew or purchase season tickets is to visit LetsGoPeay.com/buytickets and click on the Football Season Tickets link. Fans may also call the Austin Peay State University ticket office at 931.221.PEAY (7329) to complete the purchasing process.

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