SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The Shelbyville Central Golden Eagles’ superstar tailback, Robert Bailey, officially signed with Austin Peay on Wednesday, surrounded by friends, family, teammates, classmates, and coaches.

“First and foremost, I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity and supporting me, I want to thank my parents for believing in me, and I want to thank all the coaches that have been with me and keeping up with me over the years,” Bailey said.

Bailey (center) surrounded by classmates and teammates after signing with Austin Peay on Wednesday.

Submitted Photo

In Shelbyville’s first season back in the highest classification of Tennessee high school football, Bailey took home the 2025 Region 6-6A Offensive Player of the Year, carrying the ball 189 times for 1,227 yards and eight touchdowns in just nine games played. As the engine of the Shelbyville offensive attack, he helped lead the Golden Eagles to a 5-6 (4-2) record, punching the Golden Eagles’ ticket to a third consecutive postseason appearance under Jud Dryden despite the jump up into Class 6A.

“It feels great to be a Governor,” Bailey said afterwards, “I’m just ready to work my tail off and show my talent when I get up there.”

Last season, Austin Peay went 7-5 (4-4) overall in the FCS under second-year head coach, Jeff Faris, but finished a perfect 6-0 at home for the first time since 1949. Bailey will be joining his former teammate, William Bobo, in Clarksville for the 2026 season.