Entering the 2025 season, the FCS brought in more than 800 transfers from the FBS.
One of the biggest hits from that transfer list was quarterback Chris Parson.
Parson arrived at Austin Peay from Mississippi State and was an immediate splash for the Govs.
Parson was a coveted recruit out of Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, TN, as a four-star prospect by ESPN and On3 and a three-star by 247Sports and Rivals. 247 ranked Parson as the No. 30 quarterback in the country.
He chose Mississippi State over 17 offers from power-conference programs. From 2023 to 2024 at Mississippi State, Parson appeared in six games with one start. Parson then entered the portal after the 2024 season and was ranked a 3-star transfer. He landed at Austin Peay, where he shined last season.
In 12 games, Parson went 206/326 passing (63%) for 3,003 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions while rushing 168 times for 743 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was named on the All-UAC First Team, earned All-American accolades from Stats Perform and FCS Football Central, and finished No. 10 in Walter Payton Award voting.
The Govs improved from 4-8 in 2024 to 7-5 last season. They dropped a heartbreaker at No. 5 Tarleton State in the regular-season finale, losing 45-44 in overtime. Had Austin Peay won, it would have certainly made the FCS playoffs. Instead, the Govs were among the “First 4 Out” alongside Monmouth, Presbyterian, and Southern Utah.
Parson was incredible in that Tarleton game, throwing for 293 yards with four TDs and rushing for 194 yards with two more scores. Austin Peay went for the win in overtime, but Parson airmailed an open receiver, a painful errant throw in an otherwise brilliant performance.
It was a gut-wrenching end to the season. But it also provides motivation and anticipation for what Austin Peay can accomplish in 2026.
Especially with Parson announcing his return.
He could have easily given the FBS another shot by entering the transfer portal this offseason. But Parson elected to run it back with the Govs. He’ll be a redshirt junior in 2026, a year that could be special for Austin Peay.
