2026 SoCon Football Preview: Mercer's Standard is Non-Negotiable Despite a New Head Coach and Massive Roster Turnover
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| Wide Receiver Brayden Smith is the SoCon's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year (photo courtesy of Mercer Athletics) |
MERCER
Head Coach: Joel Taylor (1st Yr at Mercer/12-10 in two seasons at West Georgia)Offensive Coordinator: Austin Davis
Defensive Coordinator: Tripp Weaver
2025 Record: 11-2, 8-0/SoCon Champions/Lost to South Dakota 47-0 in second round of FCS Playoffs
2026 Projected Finish: No. 1 in SoCon Coaches Poll/No. 5 by FCS Nation
Basic Offensive Scheme: Spread
Basic Defensive Scheme: Multiple
Home Stadium: Five Star Stadium (10,553)
Starters Returning/Lost Offense: 3/8
Starters Returning/Lost Defense: 1/10
Key Returnees Offense: OG Tyler Murray (’26 First-Team All-SoCon); WR Brayden Smith (’25 First-Team All-SoCon/’26 Preseason SoCon Offensive Player of the Year); RB Micah Bell; WR Travion Solomon; TE Samuel Albee; QB JP Pickles; QB Jake Maxwell; OL Pierson Sears; OL Luke Schulz; QB Jake Wilson; WR Zachary Lewis; WR Camauri Simmons
Key Losses Offense: QB Braden Atkison (Jerry Rice Award Winner/First-Team All-SoCon/transferred to Oregon State); WR Kendall Harris (transferred to Old Dominion); OL Amari Atchison (Second-Team All-SoCon/transferred to Jacksonville State); RB CJ Miller (First-Team All-SoCon/transferred to Toledo); WR Adjatay Dabbs (First-Team All-SoCon/transferred to Toledo); OL Jamari Freeman (Second-Team All-SoCon/transferred to Mississippi State); C Gavin Marks (graduated/out of eligibility); OL Xavier Jennings (First-Team All-SoCon/out of eligibility/graduated)
Key Returnees Defense: LB Mac Bradley; LB Antonio Butts Jr.; DE Kobe McInnis; S Carter Kermott; LB Wyatt Hester; LB Ethan McDowell; S Kai Reyes; DL Ke’Vion Wellington; S Ryan McNally; S Jayvyn Fraziars; CB Evan Taylor; OLB Braydon Dudley; CB Justin Ferguson; LB Wyatt Hester, S Carter Kermott; DE Kobe McInnis; S Kai Reyes
Key Losses Defense: DE Andrew Zock (transferred to Toledo/Buck Buchanan Award Winner/SoCon Defensive Player of the Year/First-Team All-SoCon); NT Justin Gilbert (out of eligibility); DT Jordan Swain (Second Team All-SoCon/graduated/out of eligibility); LB Julian Fox (transferred to Toledo); NT Justin Gilbert (graduated/out of eligibility); LB Julian Fox (transferred to Toledo); LB Drew Clare (First-Team All-SoCon); LB Donovan Watkins (transferred to Toledo); CB KJ Thomas (SoCon All-Freshman Team/transferred to Toledo); SS Kaleb Hutchinson (First-Team All-SoCon/transferred to Toledo); FS Tommy Bliss (out of eligibility); CB Carmelo O’Neal (transferred to Alabama); OL Bryson Wilson (West Georgia)
Key Transfer Portal Additions: DL Kehinde Akintunde (College of Dupage); OL Brody Balliew (West Georgia/Furman); QB Jaylen King (Florida State/ETSU/Gardner-Webb); OL Jamarcus Hill (Kent State); TE Kaden Hanson (West Georgia); DL Rashawn Washington (South Carolina State); DL Louis Wilkinson III (Lincoln); OL Jake Atha (West Georgia); S Brandon Gunn (West Georgia); WR Eric Rasheed (North Greenville/Western Carolina); CB Emanuel Lane (Monmouth); S Sam Martin Jr. (Wagner); CB McKaden Smith (West Georgia); LB CJ Favors (West Georgia); S Nigel Gay (Catawba); CB Cameron Goggins (Florida Atlantic); DL Marquis Williams (West Georgia); S Javonte Walker (Central Washington); OL Jacorey Wright (Shorter)
Best Quote From Media Day (July 21, 2026/Greenville S.C/Hotel Hartness): “There’s no pressure just to be honest with you...,That’s because my expectations are higher than anyone else’s and some people ask me you know ‘what’s the biggest difference between when you were here last time and when you’re here now and I say when I walk in the office everyday I look to the left and there’s two doggone conference championship trophies, but my goal is to replicate that success on a national level.” –Mercer head coach Joel Taylor
Bears ’26 Outlook
--The Mercer Bears enter the 2026 football season as the coaches’ favorite to claim the Southern Conference title under the direction of first-year head coach Joel Taylor. The Bears lost a total of 46 lettermen to either graduation or the transfer portal, while a total of 36 lettermen return (16 offense, 14 defense, 6 specialists) off a team that went 11-2 overall and 8-0 in the Southern Conference last season.
Over the past five seasons, the Bears have won 49 games, including a 37-11 mark in league play since the start of the 2020-21 season. The Bears have a 21-3 mark over the past three seasons in league play, and have made three-straight FCS Playoff appearances, and will enter the campaign with a string of 12-straight league wins.
With a total of 66 newcomers, including 46 from the transfer portal, the fact that Mercer was picked to win a third-straight title under a new head coach by his new coaching colleagues is a testament to both the kind of respect that his cohorts have for him, as well as the fact that Joel Taylor is just that good of a football coach.
It’s also a testament to the winning culture that he had a lot to do with in terms of setting it in place in his initial stint in Macon, serving as the program’s defensive coordinator from 2020-23 under former head coach Drew Cronic.
After getting the West Georgia program up and running in its transition to the FCS, which included winning 12 games just last season, Taylor now returns to Mercer with the same high standard of expectation for his team, as well as embracing the challenge of sustaining that excellence of winning championships he helped put in place some six years ago.
The Bears, like virtually everyone else in the league, have some major holes to address that came mostly because of the coaching transition, as well as the Bears' overall success over the past three seasons. Mercer has won 12-straight SoCon games entering the 2026 season, including having won back-to-back titles for the first time since Wofford won three in a row from 2017-19.
Home Stadium: Five Star Stadium (10,553)
Starters Returning/Lost Offense: 3/8
Starters Returning/Lost Defense: 1/10
Key Returnees Offense: OG Tyler Murray (’26 First-Team All-SoCon); WR Brayden Smith (’25 First-Team All-SoCon/’26 Preseason SoCon Offensive Player of the Year); RB Micah Bell; WR Travion Solomon; TE Samuel Albee; QB JP Pickles; QB Jake Maxwell; OL Pierson Sears; OL Luke Schulz; QB Jake Wilson; WR Zachary Lewis; WR Camauri Simmons
Key Losses Offense: QB Braden Atkison (Jerry Rice Award Winner/First-Team All-SoCon/transferred to Oregon State); WR Kendall Harris (transferred to Old Dominion); OL Amari Atchison (Second-Team All-SoCon/transferred to Jacksonville State); RB CJ Miller (First-Team All-SoCon/transferred to Toledo); WR Adjatay Dabbs (First-Team All-SoCon/transferred to Toledo); OL Jamari Freeman (Second-Team All-SoCon/transferred to Mississippi State); C Gavin Marks (graduated/out of eligibility); OL Xavier Jennings (First-Team All-SoCon/out of eligibility/graduated)
Key Returnees Defense: LB Mac Bradley; LB Antonio Butts Jr.; DE Kobe McInnis; S Carter Kermott; LB Wyatt Hester; LB Ethan McDowell; S Kai Reyes; DL Ke’Vion Wellington; S Ryan McNally; S Jayvyn Fraziars; CB Evan Taylor; OLB Braydon Dudley; CB Justin Ferguson; LB Wyatt Hester, S Carter Kermott; DE Kobe McInnis; S Kai Reyes
Key Losses Defense: DE Andrew Zock (transferred to Toledo/Buck Buchanan Award Winner/SoCon Defensive Player of the Year/First-Team All-SoCon); NT Justin Gilbert (out of eligibility); DT Jordan Swain (Second Team All-SoCon/graduated/out of eligibility); LB Julian Fox (transferred to Toledo); NT Justin Gilbert (graduated/out of eligibility); LB Julian Fox (transferred to Toledo); LB Drew Clare (First-Team All-SoCon); LB Donovan Watkins (transferred to Toledo); CB KJ Thomas (SoCon All-Freshman Team/transferred to Toledo); SS Kaleb Hutchinson (First-Team All-SoCon/transferred to Toledo); FS Tommy Bliss (out of eligibility); CB Carmelo O’Neal (transferred to Alabama); OL Bryson Wilson (West Georgia)
Key Transfer Portal Additions: DL Kehinde Akintunde (College of Dupage); OL Brody Balliew (West Georgia/Furman); QB Jaylen King (Florida State/ETSU/Gardner-Webb); OL Jamarcus Hill (Kent State); TE Kaden Hanson (West Georgia); DL Rashawn Washington (South Carolina State); DL Louis Wilkinson III (Lincoln); OL Jake Atha (West Georgia); S Brandon Gunn (West Georgia); WR Eric Rasheed (North Greenville/Western Carolina); CB Emanuel Lane (Monmouth); S Sam Martin Jr. (Wagner); CB McKaden Smith (West Georgia); LB CJ Favors (West Georgia); S Nigel Gay (Catawba); CB Cameron Goggins (Florida Atlantic); DL Marquis Williams (West Georgia); S Javonte Walker (Central Washington); OL Jacorey Wright (Shorter)
Best Quote From Media Day (July 21, 2026/Greenville S.C/Hotel Hartness): “There’s no pressure just to be honest with you...,That’s because my expectations are higher than anyone else’s and some people ask me you know ‘what’s the biggest difference between when you were here last time and when you’re here now and I say when I walk in the office everyday I look to the left and there’s two doggone conference championship trophies, but my goal is to replicate that success on a national level.” –Mercer head coach Joel Taylor
Bears ’26 Outlook
--The Mercer Bears enter the 2026 football season as the coaches’ favorite to claim the Southern Conference title under the direction of first-year head coach Joel Taylor. The Bears lost a total of 46 lettermen to either graduation or the transfer portal, while a total of 36 lettermen return (16 offense, 14 defense, 6 specialists) off a team that went 11-2 overall and 8-0 in the Southern Conference last season.
Over the past five seasons, the Bears have won 49 games, including a 37-11 mark in league play since the start of the 2020-21 season. The Bears have a 21-3 mark over the past three seasons in league play, and have made three-straight FCS Playoff appearances, and will enter the campaign with a string of 12-straight league wins.
With a total of 66 newcomers, including 46 from the transfer portal, the fact that Mercer was picked to win a third-straight title under a new head coach by his new coaching colleagues is a testament to both the kind of respect that his cohorts have for him, as well as the fact that Joel Taylor is just that good of a football coach.
It’s also a testament to the winning culture that he had a lot to do with in terms of setting it in place in his initial stint in Macon, serving as the program’s defensive coordinator from 2020-23 under former head coach Drew Cronic.
After getting the West Georgia program up and running in its transition to the FCS, which included winning 12 games just last season, Taylor now returns to Mercer with the same high standard of expectation for his team, as well as embracing the challenge of sustaining that excellence of winning championships he helped put in place some six years ago.
The Bears, like virtually everyone else in the league, have some major holes to address that came mostly because of the coaching transition, as well as the Bears' overall success over the past three seasons. Mercer has won 12-straight SoCon games entering the 2026 season, including having won back-to-back titles for the first time since Wofford won three in a row from 2017-19.
On offense, the Bears were dynamic a year ago, as quarterback Braden Atkinson led an offense that averaged 36.1 PPG and 485.2 YPG to rank second in the SoCon and ranked third nationally in total offense, as well as ranking 13th overall in scoring offense a year ago. Atkinson would go on to claim the Jerry Rice Award, which is given to the nation’s top freshman performer.
Defensively, the Bears were also a team to be reckoned with, as the Bears second in the SoCon and 44th nationally in total defense (353.6 YPG), as well as also placing second in the league in scoring defense (25.5 PPG) and tied for 51st nationally in the same category.
Defensively, the Bears were also a team to be reckoned with, as the Bears second in the SoCon and 44th nationally in total defense (353.6 YPG), as well as also placing second in the league in scoring defense (25.5 PPG) and tied for 51st nationally in the same category.
Mercer was once again exceptional in stopping the run last season, completing the campaign allowing just 110.2 YPG and a lot of that was thanks to a dominant defensive line, which included Buck Buchanan Award winner defensive end Andrew Zock, who ranked second in the nation in tackles-for-loss (20.0 TFL) and seventh in total sacks (11.5).
Mercer dominated its way through the 2025 SoCon slate, winning five of its league games by double digits, with only Wofford (W, 23-22), ETSU (W, 38-34) and at Western Carolina (W, 49-47) proving to be real challenges in single-digit affairs.
Mercer dominated its way through the 2025 SoCon slate, winning five of its league games by double digits, with only Wofford (W, 23-22), ETSU (W, 38-34) and at Western Carolina (W, 49-47) proving to be real challenges in single-digit affairs.
The dominant run through the SoCon came a little bit as a surprise when you consider the Bears found the early non-conference slate a bit of a challenge, as Mercer had its season opener against No. 8 UC Davis canceled due to lightning, while getting off to an uncharacteristic start at home, with a 15-10 loss to non-scholarship Presbyterian.
Mercer was the only SoCon representative in the FCS postseason, and unfortunately, it found that everything snowballed all at once in the opening round playoff loss to South Dakota State, abruptly ending what had been a magical season by handing the Bears a 47-0 loss in the rain at Five Star Stadium.
Mercer was the only SoCon representative in the FCS postseason, and unfortunately, it found that everything snowballed all at once in the opening round playoff loss to South Dakota State, abruptly ending what had been a magical season by handing the Bears a 47-0 loss in the rain at Five Star Stadium.
The Bears had entered the playoffs as the No. 6 seed, however, but a weak Southern Conference meant that the Bears were the only team from the league to make it into the postseason, however.
Though not an excuse, it certainly could be argued that the team already knew that head coach Mike Jacobs would be leaving to take the Toledo job vacancy at the end of the season, and that might have influenced the play on the field. Whatever the case may be, it was a disappointing end to what was another fantastic season for Mercer.
Mercer’s sustained success will now be in the hands of a man in Joel Taylor, who knows the program well, having spent four seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator before taking the head coaching job at West Georgia following the 2023 season, which is where Mercer started to experience its first bit of real success and achieving the success it had set out to achieve nine years earlier with a return to the gridiron after a 72-year hiatus, as the Bears qualified for the FCS postseason for the first time in program history back in ’23.
Mercer’s sustained success will now be in the hands of a man in Joel Taylor, who knows the program well, having spent four seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator before taking the head coaching job at West Georgia following the 2023 season, which is where Mercer started to experience its first bit of real success and achieving the success it had set out to achieve nine years earlier with a return to the gridiron after a 72-year hiatus, as the Bears qualified for the FCS postseason for the first time in program history back in ’23.
The Bears would even get the program’s first playoff win, taking down Gardner-Webb in the opening round, 17-7, at Five Star Stadium before running into eventual national champion and top overall seed South Dakota State in Brookings, dropping a 40-0 decision to conclude what was an eight-win campaign (8-5) under Drew Cronic in his final season before moving on to become Navy’s Offensive Coordinator.
The ’23 season was the start of what has become a “Mercer Machine” on the SoCon gridiron, as two SoCon titles and subsequent FCS Playoff runs later, the Bears look to become the first team since Wofford to win three-straight SoCon shared or outright titles, as the Terriers claimed gridiron crowns in 2017, ’18 (shared with Furman and ETSU) and ’19.
The ’23 season was the start of what has become a “Mercer Machine” on the SoCon gridiron, as two SoCon titles and subsequent FCS Playoff runs later, the Bears look to become the first team since Wofford to win three-straight SoCon shared or outright titles, as the Terriers claimed gridiron crowns in 2017, ’18 (shared with Furman and ETSU) and ’19.
If the Bears follow through on those lofty preseason predictions, they would be accomplish the feat for just the ninth time and would become the eighth different program in the 93-year history of the SoCon Football to claim three-straight titles, joining Duke (1943-45), West Virginia (1953-56), Furman (1980-84; 1988-90), Georgia Southern (1997-2002), Appalachian State (2005-10); Chattanooga (2013-15) and Wofford (2017-19).
Should the Bears claim a third-consecutive outright SoCon title, it would mark just the fourth time in the history of the league to accomplish the feat, and only second time one of the current members have accomplished the feat.
Should the Bears claim a third-consecutive outright SoCon title, it would mark just the fourth time in the history of the league to accomplish the feat, and only second time one of the current members have accomplished the feat.
Only Furman’s run from 1980-83, which saw the Paladins win four-straight outright crowns under the leadership of Dick Sheridan would mark a better run. The other two programs to accomplish such a feat in the SoCon have long since joined the FBS ranks, with both West Virginia (1953-56) and Duke (1943-45) posting similar dominant runs.
To do so, it will have to overcome a great amount of youth, the Bears’ roster consists of 47 true or redshirt freshmen and 74 of the 116-man roster are made up of either true freshmen, redshirt freshmen or sophomores, while only 42 are either juniors (24) or seniors (18). The Bears will be one of the youngest football teams in the SoCon this fall.
Previewing the Mercer Offense in 2026
There will be competition to fill the incredibly large shoes left by a guy like Braden Atkison at quarterback, with former ETSU quarterback Jaylen King and JP Pickles being the two primary competitors for the right to starting in the opener against East Texas A&M next month.
King spent last season at Florida State before transferring back into the Southern Conference. The redshirt junior signal-caller saw action in just one game at FSU, which was a 66-10 win over Kent State. King tallied two rushes for six yards in his only action of the 2025 campaign.
During the 2024 campaign, King spent his time as the starting quarterback at league rival East Tennessee State, posting 10 starts in 12 games. He finished the campaign by connecting 116-of-221 passes for 1,536 yards, with nine touchdowns and 11 INTs. King gave the Bucs a dual threat in the running game as well, finishing the campaign with 422 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 105 rush attempts, averaging 4.0 YPC.
The well-traveled transfer spent his freshman season at Gardner-Webb back in 2023, as he completed 107-of-201 passes for 1,223 yards, 11 TDs and eight INTs, while also rushing for 403 yards and five scores on 137 attempts, averaging 2.9 YPC. He helped the Bulldogs to their first-ever Ohio Valley Conference crown and was the OVC/Big South Freshman of the Year in 2023.
King has faced off against the current team he will play for in 2026, facing the Bears both in the opening round of the FCS Playoffs in 2023, as well as in the regular season in 2024, as he went 0-2 in those two contests. In a 37-31 loss to the Bears when King was at ETSU in ’24, King connected on 11-of-25 passes for 192 yards, with one TD and a pair of INTs. King brings experience and more of a dual-threat option under center for the Bears.
Pickles is quite the opposite of that of King’s skillset, as he transferred into the Mercer program prior to the 2025 season from UTEP, where he played in three games as a freshman back in 2024. In his first season with the Bears, Pickles logged action in nine games, completing 30-of-53 passes for 226 yards with one INT. Pickles is almost exclusively a drop-back passer and ended up being Mercer’s top backup option last season behind Atkinson.
A third quarterback that might be in the mix is Purdue transfer Jake Wilson, who like Pickles is in his second season with the Bears. The 6-2,205-lb signal-caller from Trophy Club, TX., didn’t see any game action in his two seasons as a Boilermaker, nor did he log any action last season with the Bears in his first season in Macon.
To do so, it will have to overcome a great amount of youth, the Bears’ roster consists of 47 true or redshirt freshmen and 74 of the 116-man roster are made up of either true freshmen, redshirt freshmen or sophomores, while only 42 are either juniors (24) or seniors (18). The Bears will be one of the youngest football teams in the SoCon this fall.
Previewing the Mercer Offense in 2026
There will be competition to fill the incredibly large shoes left by a guy like Braden Atkison at quarterback, with former ETSU quarterback Jaylen King and JP Pickles being the two primary competitors for the right to starting in the opener against East Texas A&M next month.
King spent last season at Florida State before transferring back into the Southern Conference. The redshirt junior signal-caller saw action in just one game at FSU, which was a 66-10 win over Kent State. King tallied two rushes for six yards in his only action of the 2025 campaign.
During the 2024 campaign, King spent his time as the starting quarterback at league rival East Tennessee State, posting 10 starts in 12 games. He finished the campaign by connecting 116-of-221 passes for 1,536 yards, with nine touchdowns and 11 INTs. King gave the Bucs a dual threat in the running game as well, finishing the campaign with 422 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 105 rush attempts, averaging 4.0 YPC.
The well-traveled transfer spent his freshman season at Gardner-Webb back in 2023, as he completed 107-of-201 passes for 1,223 yards, 11 TDs and eight INTs, while also rushing for 403 yards and five scores on 137 attempts, averaging 2.9 YPC. He helped the Bulldogs to their first-ever Ohio Valley Conference crown and was the OVC/Big South Freshman of the Year in 2023.
King has faced off against the current team he will play for in 2026, facing the Bears both in the opening round of the FCS Playoffs in 2023, as well as in the regular season in 2024, as he went 0-2 in those two contests. In a 37-31 loss to the Bears when King was at ETSU in ’24, King connected on 11-of-25 passes for 192 yards, with one TD and a pair of INTs. King brings experience and more of a dual-threat option under center for the Bears.
Pickles is quite the opposite of that of King’s skillset, as he transferred into the Mercer program prior to the 2025 season from UTEP, where he played in three games as a freshman back in 2024. In his first season with the Bears, Pickles logged action in nine games, completing 30-of-53 passes for 226 yards with one INT. Pickles is almost exclusively a drop-back passer and ended up being Mercer’s top backup option last season behind Atkinson.
A third quarterback that might be in the mix is Purdue transfer Jake Wilson, who like Pickles is in his second season with the Bears. The 6-2,205-lb signal-caller from Trophy Club, TX., didn’t see any game action in his two seasons as a Boilermaker, nor did he log any action last season with the Bears in his first season in Macon.
The SoCon All-Academic Team picked played his prep ball at Byrom Nelson High School where he led the state of Texas in passing in his final season of high school ball, as he finished the 2023 with an incredible 4,134 passing yards and 50 TDs, garnering all-state and Super Elite Team 6A laurels in his final season.
Adrian Parker (Franklin Pierce) also joined the program in the off-season and could also be in competition for time under center. In his three seasons at NCAA Division II Franklin Pierce, Parker completed 466-of-772 passes for 5,467 yards, with 41 TDs and 17 INTs, while rushing for 341 yards and three scores.
Adrian Parker (Franklin Pierce) also joined the program in the off-season and could also be in competition for time under center. In his three seasons at NCAA Division II Franklin Pierce, Parker completed 466-of-772 passes for 5,467 yards, with 41 TDs and 17 INTs, while rushing for 341 yards and three scores.
The final addition to the quarterbacks room made during the off-season was Marist transfer Jake Maxwell (Marist), who did not see any time in two seasons with the Red Foxes. The most notable freshman quarterback is three-star prospect Cam Hill, who comes to Mercer from Thomasville High School in Thomasville, GA, where he three for more than 7,500 yards and 80 touchdowns across three seasons as a prep.
Running back has always been a position that has seen the Bears put up solid numbers and garner all-league plaudits dating back to the resurrection of the football program back in 2013.
Running back has always been a position that has seen the Bears put up solid numbers and garner all-league plaudits dating back to the resurrection of the football program back in 2013.
From guys like Peyton Usher, Tee Mitchell (three-time All-SoCon honoree/2015-18) and Alex Lakes to more recent day ball-carriers like DeWayne McGee (2024 SoCon Offensive Player of the Year) and CJ Miller (2025 All-SoCon), the Bears have always managed to have talent and big-play capabilities within its offensive backfield.
With Miller having been the key running back option after a season-ending injury to starter and Charleston Southern Autavius Ison last season, he has now graduated leaving the door open for a new starter to step in and take the reins as a primary ground option this fall for the Bears.
With Miller having been the key running back option after a season-ending injury to starter and Charleston Southern Autavius Ison last season, he has now graduated leaving the door open for a new starter to step in and take the reins as a primary ground option this fall for the Bears.
With Ison, CJ Miller, Tyrell Coard and Ty Doughty all having moved on, it will open the door for a brand new option to emerge as RB1 this fall for the Bears, with a talented group of both portal guys and returnees making up what should be a solid unit that will have a blend of skills that should compliment one another. Micah Bell, Billy Martin, Malik Dryden, Zahmari Palode-Gary and Bryson James all expected to play key roles in the ground attack.
Palode-Gary comes to Mercer from a very prominent NCAA Division II program, in Pittsburg State, where he rushed for 1,408 yards and 13 TDs on 215 attempts in 23 games over the course of two seasons, including finishing the 2025 campaign by rushing for 964 yards and 10 touchdowns on 149 attempts.
The former Pitt State RB averaged 6.5 yards-per-carry over the course of two seasons for the Gorillas and figures to be in the mix to start day one for the Bears. James joins the program after a solid couple of seasons at NCAA Division II Anderson, while Bell and Martin are two guys that have been a part of a lot of success over the course of their careers as Mercer Bears.
Palode-Gary comes to Mercer from a very prominent NCAA Division II program, in Pittsburg State, where he rushed for 1,408 yards and 13 TDs on 215 attempts in 23 games over the course of two seasons, including finishing the 2025 campaign by rushing for 964 yards and 10 touchdowns on 149 attempts.
The former Pitt State RB averaged 6.5 yards-per-carry over the course of two seasons for the Gorillas and figures to be in the mix to start day one for the Bears. James joins the program after a solid couple of seasons at NCAA Division II Anderson, while Bell and Martin are two guys that have been a part of a lot of success over the course of their careers as Mercer Bears.
James had his most productive season with the Trojans in 2025, as he rushed for 612 yards and six scores on 114 attempts, averaging 5.4 yards-per-game. All told, James rushed for 1,023 yards and eight scores over the course of two seasons at Anderson and will bring plenty of speed to the Mercer backfield as a potential change-up guy coming out of the backfield.
Bell is one of the veterans on the roster and has been around long enough to be at Mercer when his new head coach was a defensive coordinator back in 2023. Since starting his career back in 2022 with the Bears, Bell has rushed for 670 yards and one TD on 159 attempts in 33 games for the Bears over the past four seasons.
Bell is one of the veterans on the roster and has been around long enough to be at Mercer when his new head coach was a defensive coordinator back in 2023. Since starting his career back in 2022 with the Bears, Bell has rushed for 670 yards and one TD on 159 attempts in 33 games for the Bears over the past four seasons.
The 5-10, 210-lb senior running back is rugged and is more likely to deliver a blow than go around a would-be tackler. Martin has seen only limited action in two seasons with the Bears, finishing the 2025 season with just 13 rush attempts for 82 yards. He could be in line to see an increase in reps this season.
Dryden came to Mercer from Stetson this past spring, and only saw limited action in two seasons with the Hatters. He has the potential to also add a speed element to the backfield for the Bears. Karlise Price and Colby Smith are a pair of true freshmen running backs that could see some meaningful reps in the ground game this fall.
Switching skill positions from running back to wide receiver, the Bears are expected to have one of the top units in the SoCon fall when it comes to having some of the league’s elite pass-catchers. It all starts with SoCon Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Brayden Smith.
Smith is a player that has been the model of consistency over the course of his Mercer career, whether that be providing big plays in the passing game or as a punt return specialist. Smith comes off a 2025 season, which saw him lead the Bears in receiving, hauling in 60 passes for 712 yards and seven TDs, averaging 11.9 YPR.
If you’ve watched Mercer at any length over the past three seasons, then you’ll know that Smith is not only a threat in the passing game, but also on special teams, where he has a pair of punt returns for a scores in his three seasons sporting the Mercer Orange and White.
Dryden came to Mercer from Stetson this past spring, and only saw limited action in two seasons with the Hatters. He has the potential to also add a speed element to the backfield for the Bears. Karlise Price and Colby Smith are a pair of true freshmen running backs that could see some meaningful reps in the ground game this fall.
Switching skill positions from running back to wide receiver, the Bears are expected to have one of the top units in the SoCon fall when it comes to having some of the league’s elite pass-catchers. It all starts with SoCon Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Brayden Smith.
Smith is a player that has been the model of consistency over the course of his Mercer career, whether that be providing big plays in the passing game or as a punt return specialist. Smith comes off a 2025 season, which saw him lead the Bears in receiving, hauling in 60 passes for 712 yards and seven TDs, averaging 11.9 YPR.
If you’ve watched Mercer at any length over the past three seasons, then you’ll know that Smith is not only a threat in the passing game, but also on special teams, where he has a pair of punt returns for a scores in his three seasons sporting the Mercer Orange and White.
As a receiving threat in his Bears career, Smith has played in 33 games, with 104 catches for 1,232 yards and 12 TDs, averaging 11.8 YPR. In addition to being the preseason pick to be the SoCon’s top offensive player this fall, Smith was also selected as a part of the STATS FCS preseason Walter Payton Award Watch List.
While the sure-handed and big-play wideout Smith returns to anchor the wide receivers room, there is plenty of both returning and incoming talent to supplement him as a big-play threat in the passing game this fall.
While the sure-handed and big-play wideout Smith returns to anchor the wide receivers room, there is plenty of both returning and incoming talent to supplement him as a big-play threat in the passing game this fall.
Redshirt junior Apollos Cook and redshirt senior Travion Solomon are a pair of holdovers at wide receiver that will have an opportunity to seize a more meaningful part of the offense this fall.
Both could play key roles in different capacities, with Solomon’s speed adding another potential big-play weapon, while Cook’s size and physicality at 6-3, 210 lbs could be a difference-maker when it comes to having a reliable option in third down situations.
Solomon is Mercer’s second-leading returning wideout, having hauled in 14 passes for 158 yards last season. Cook has the versatility with his athleticism and size to play both tight end and receiver for the Bears.
Redshirt sophomore Zachary Lowe is another player that stuck around looking for a larger role under the new staff in 2026. The Apex, N.C., product saw action in just three games as a redshirt freshman last season, making his college debut in Mercer’s lopsided win over VMI.
A wideout that could figure in right away as an impact player in the passing game this season is Alabama State transfer Asa Greg, who comes to Mercer with one year of eligibility remaining.
Redshirt sophomore Zachary Lowe is another player that stuck around looking for a larger role under the new staff in 2026. The Apex, N.C., product saw action in just three games as a redshirt freshman last season, making his college debut in Mercer’s lopsided win over VMI.
A wideout that could figure in right away as an impact player in the passing game this season is Alabama State transfer Asa Greg, who comes to Mercer with one year of eligibility remaining.
His most productive season with the Hornets came in 2024, as he hauled in 15 passes for 269 yards and a pair of touchdowns, averaging 17.9 YPR. In 2025, Greg hauled in 18 passes for 253 yards and a pair of scores, averaging 14.1 YPR. He will figure more prominently in Mercer’s system this fall.
One of the transfers that could factor in right away as a part of the Bears offense is North Greenville transfer Eric Rasheed Jr, as the redshirt junior arrives at Mercer with two years of eligibility remaining.
One of the transfers that could factor in right away as a part of the Bears offense is North Greenville transfer Eric Rasheed Jr, as the redshirt junior arrives at Mercer with two years of eligibility remaining.
Rasheed carries quite the Southern Conference legacy with him, as his father, Eric Rasheed Sr., was a three-time All-SoCon selection as a wideout at Western Carolina and was inducted into that school’s Hall-of-Fame back in 2000. While his son initially was going to follow in his father’s footsteps as a freshman at WCU back in 2023, opted to transfer out of the program after seeing very limited action in his rookie season with the Catamounts.
Rasheed, however, found his way in a big way during his time at North Greenville, especially in 2025, as he hauled in 53 passes for 973 yards and eight scores last season, averaging a very impressive 18.4 yards-per-reception.
Rasheed, however, found his way in a big way during his time at North Greenville, especially in 2025, as he hauled in 53 passes for 973 yards and eight scores last season, averaging a very impressive 18.4 yards-per-reception.
The North Greenville product spent his redshirt freshman campaign at NCAA Division III Wittenburg, Rasheed was able to haul in 38 passes for 726 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 19.1 YPR.
There are several other difference makers that have a chance to make a name for themselves in the Bears’ wide receiving unit this season, including Florida Atlantic transfer Kel Calixte, who redshirted his only season at FAU, as he did not see game action.
There are several other difference makers that have a chance to make a name for themselves in the Bears’ wide receiving unit this season, including Florida Atlantic transfer Kel Calixte, who redshirted his only season at FAU, as he did not see game action.
Coming out of Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, FL., Calixte was listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports. The 6-4, 210-lb wideout finished out his senior season by hauling in 42 passes for 747 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Javarius George, Camauri Simmons and Braylon Stewart are all young wideouts looking to find time within the rotation. Stewart found time in two games last season, and the 6-0, 190-lb product out of Raleigh, N.C., was able to retain his red shirt season. He saw very limited action in games against Samford and Auburn last season. George served as a backup at slot behind Brayden Smith, and he ended up hauling in five passes for 30 yards and one touchdown. Camauri Simmons logged action in 11 games as apart of the special teams unit.
Other true freshmen looking to break into the mix are Cardinal-Gibbons product Connor McGeehan, whose father (Kevin McGeehan) is the associate head coach at Wofford and former head coach at Campbell, while Jayden Futrell out of Harlem, GA by way of Harlem High School has good size at 6-3, 190 lbs, and that could give him a chance to see some playing time sooner rather than later.
Rounding out the receiving options will be veteran tight end Samuel Albee and transfers Kaden Hanson (West Georgia) as well as Jackson Kostmayer (Central Arkansas).
Javarius George, Camauri Simmons and Braylon Stewart are all young wideouts looking to find time within the rotation. Stewart found time in two games last season, and the 6-0, 190-lb product out of Raleigh, N.C., was able to retain his red shirt season. He saw very limited action in games against Samford and Auburn last season. George served as a backup at slot behind Brayden Smith, and he ended up hauling in five passes for 30 yards and one touchdown. Camauri Simmons logged action in 11 games as apart of the special teams unit.
Other true freshmen looking to break into the mix are Cardinal-Gibbons product Connor McGeehan, whose father (Kevin McGeehan) is the associate head coach at Wofford and former head coach at Campbell, while Jayden Futrell out of Harlem, GA by way of Harlem High School has good size at 6-3, 190 lbs, and that could give him a chance to see some playing time sooner rather than later.
Rounding out the receiving options will be veteran tight end Samuel Albee and transfers Kaden Hanson (West Georgia) as well as Jackson Kostmayer (Central Arkansas).
Like Micah Bell and Brayden Smith, tight end Samuel Albee has played a lot of football for the Bears the previous three seasons, including seeing action in 12 games with eight starts just last season. Albee enjoyed a breakout season of sorts in 2025 for the Bears, as he was able to haul in eight passes for 124 yards and two scores, averaging 15.5 yards-per-catch. Over the past three seasons, Albee has seen action in total of 39 games for Mercer, including having made 27 total starts.
Kostmayer will have one season of eligibility remaining following playing the last two at Central Arkansas after playing his first two at the JUCO level at Pearl River (Miss.) CC. The 6-5, 255-lb redshirt senior adds good size as a downfield receiving target, as well as playing a key role as a blocker in the ground game. He hauled in four passes for 35 yards for the Central Arkansas Bears last season.
The final piece to the offense and also a big determining factor on just how good this Mercer offense can be in year one under Joel Taylor will be the cohesiveness of the offensive line, which has been an important factor in the Bears enjoying the type of success they have been able to enjoy in each of the past two seasons.
Kostmayer will have one season of eligibility remaining following playing the last two at Central Arkansas after playing his first two at the JUCO level at Pearl River (Miss.) CC. The 6-5, 255-lb redshirt senior adds good size as a downfield receiving target, as well as playing a key role as a blocker in the ground game. He hauled in four passes for 35 yards for the Central Arkansas Bears last season.
The final piece to the offense and also a big determining factor on just how good this Mercer offense can be in year one under Joel Taylor will be the cohesiveness of the offensive line, which has been an important factor in the Bears enjoying the type of success they have been able to enjoy in each of the past two seasons.
First-Team All-SoCon selection and right guard Tyler Murray is the only starter back from a year ago, however, he is a good piece to build an O-Line around, as he is a legitimate contender for the Jacobs Blocking Award this fall.
The 6-2, 295-lb junior from Altavista, VA, projects as the starter at right guard for the Bears this fall. That’s where Murray logged a majority of his time a year ago, starting all 13 games last season, which included taking part in 904 snaps and yielding a grand total of just two sacks all season. He graded out 80.1% for the season in pass blocking situations, which ranked 39th in the FCS in pass blocking situations.
While Murray is the lone returning starter up front, there is some experience from the two-deep returning from a year ago, in redshirt sophomore right tackle Luke Schulz and redshirt sophomore right guard Pierson Sears.
The 6-2, 295-lb junior from Altavista, VA, projects as the starter at right guard for the Bears this fall. That’s where Murray logged a majority of his time a year ago, starting all 13 games last season, which included taking part in 904 snaps and yielding a grand total of just two sacks all season. He graded out 80.1% for the season in pass blocking situations, which ranked 39th in the FCS in pass blocking situations.
While Murray is the lone returning starter up front, there is some experience from the two-deep returning from a year ago, in redshirt sophomore right tackle Luke Schulz and redshirt sophomore right guard Pierson Sears.
Both could see their roles increase this season, whether that be as a backup or at other positions along the front as a starter, with Schulz being the odds-on favorite to start at right tackle heading into preseason camp.
Kelan Washington is another young player that is back and could compete for a starting job along the offensive front in fall camp. He was listed as the backup behind Jamari Freeman at left guard last season but was able to retain his freshman season of eligibility.
The other four starters along the offensive front remain questions that must be solved in preseason camp. One of the transfers expected to pay immediate dividends is Brody Balliew, who spent the 2023 and ’24 seasons at Furman before transferring to West Georgia to play for Taylor.
Kelan Washington is another young player that is back and could compete for a starting job along the offensive front in fall camp. He was listed as the backup behind Jamari Freeman at left guard last season but was able to retain his freshman season of eligibility.
The other four starters along the offensive front remain questions that must be solved in preseason camp. One of the transfers expected to pay immediate dividends is Brody Balliew, who spent the 2023 and ’24 seasons at Furman before transferring to West Georgia to play for Taylor.
Balliew started all 11 games at left tackle for the Wolves, and that’s likely where he could end up for the Bears this fall. Balliew is a preseason First-Team All-SoCon selection heading into the 2026 season.
Kent State transfer Jamarcus Hill is another player that projects as a starter this fall, as he could be the starter at left guard following the departure of Jamari Freeman.
Kent State transfer Jamarcus Hill is another player that projects as a starter this fall, as he could be the starter at left guard following the departure of Jamari Freeman.
The biggest question mark along the offensive line coming into the season is at center, where the Bears must replace both players that logged a good amount of reps at the position over the past couple of seasons, in both Gavin Marks and Blake Martin.
Two other transfers—Abiathar Curry (Northern Illinois) and Jacorey Wright (Shorter) are big and athletic and both have experience at offensive guard. Curry started all 12 games for Northern Illinois last season, with nine starts logged at right guard and the other three at left guard.
Overall Offensive Synopsis
With good talent and depth at running back, wide receiver and tight end, the biggest question marks for Mercer remain along the offensive line, as well as under center heading into the 2026 season. The Bears have experience under center should King win the starting job, however, his first go around in the SoCon at ETSU wasn’t an overwhelming success, and though JP Pickles is talented, he has yet to really show how talented he is in a big-game situation, so until that happens, quarterback remains a very big unknown. The best news is that has been the case each of the last two seasons, and the Bears found a freshman grow into the role in each of the best couple of campaigns, leading Mercer to back-to-back SoCon crowns, with Whitt Newbauer doing so back in 2024, while all rookie Braden Atkison did last season was go on to win the Jerry Rice Award as the best freshman player in FCS football last season.
The other major concern for the Bears offense is the offensive line, and for me, the center position. There is no player on the current roster that has played meaningful snaps at the position in a college game coming into the season. With that being undoubtedly the toughest position on the offensive line and arguably on the offensive side of the football, it is something to watch heading into the fall.
Previewing the Mercer Defense in 2026
Really since the start of Drew Cronic era back in 2020-21, Mercer’s calling card for often than not has been its outstanding play on the defensive side of the football, as it has been the most consistent element throughout the Bears’ current run of success over the past five seasons. Head coach Joel Taylor was a big part of why that would ultimately become the case for Mercer in his initial stint as defensive coordinator from 2020-2023.
The evidence of that dedication and physical culture originally established by Taylor when he was first with the Bears under Drew Cronic could even be seen last season after defensive lineman Andrew Zock put together a season that will be remembered for years to come, as he became the first Bears player and only the second player in Southern Conference history to ever win the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award, which is given each season to the top defensive player in all of FCS football.
Two other transfers—Abiathar Curry (Northern Illinois) and Jacorey Wright (Shorter) are big and athletic and both have experience at offensive guard. Curry started all 12 games for Northern Illinois last season, with nine starts logged at right guard and the other three at left guard.
Overall Offensive Synopsis
With good talent and depth at running back, wide receiver and tight end, the biggest question marks for Mercer remain along the offensive line, as well as under center heading into the 2026 season. The Bears have experience under center should King win the starting job, however, his first go around in the SoCon at ETSU wasn’t an overwhelming success, and though JP Pickles is talented, he has yet to really show how talented he is in a big-game situation, so until that happens, quarterback remains a very big unknown. The best news is that has been the case each of the last two seasons, and the Bears found a freshman grow into the role in each of the best couple of campaigns, leading Mercer to back-to-back SoCon crowns, with Whitt Newbauer doing so back in 2024, while all rookie Braden Atkison did last season was go on to win the Jerry Rice Award as the best freshman player in FCS football last season.
The other major concern for the Bears offense is the offensive line, and for me, the center position. There is no player on the current roster that has played meaningful snaps at the position in a college game coming into the season. With that being undoubtedly the toughest position on the offensive line and arguably on the offensive side of the football, it is something to watch heading into the fall.
Previewing the Mercer Defense in 2026
Really since the start of Drew Cronic era back in 2020-21, Mercer’s calling card for often than not has been its outstanding play on the defensive side of the football, as it has been the most consistent element throughout the Bears’ current run of success over the past five seasons. Head coach Joel Taylor was a big part of why that would ultimately become the case for Mercer in his initial stint as defensive coordinator from 2020-2023.
The evidence of that dedication and physical culture originally established by Taylor when he was first with the Bears under Drew Cronic could even be seen last season after defensive lineman Andrew Zock put together a season that will be remembered for years to come, as he became the first Bears player and only the second player in Southern Conference history to ever win the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award, which is given each season to the top defensive player in all of FCS football.
With Zock and nine other starters gone from the unit, the defense will now look like rebuilding around one of the top defensive linemen in the SoCon, as well as all of FCS football, in defensive end Kobe McInnis.
McInnis was outstanding last year as a freshman, and he will be one of the top defensive ends in the SoCon this fall. In fact, going back over the past three seasons, the Bears have produced some of the best defensive ends in the country, culminating with Zock’s award last season, and two years ago, with Brayden Mann being named as the SoCon’s top defensive player.
McInnis was outstanding last year as a freshman, and he will be one of the top defensive ends in the SoCon this fall. In fact, going back over the past three seasons, the Bears have produced some of the best defensive ends in the country, culminating with Zock’s award last season, and two years ago, with Brayden Mann being named as the SoCon’s top defensive player.
McInnis looks to be the next of those real standouts along the defensive front, as he comes off a rookie campaign that saw him post 25 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss and five sacks. The sophomore from Marietta is more athletic than Zock was, but maybe not quite as powerful and quick off the line of scrimmage. Nonetheless, he’s a force to be reckoned with heading up that Bears pass-rush this fall.
Ke’Vion Wellington could well be ready to step into a starting role at nose tackle this fall, as he will likely head into the season as the starter at nose tackle following a 2025 season that saw him back up Jordan Swain last season.
Ke’Vion Wellington could well be ready to step into a starting role at nose tackle this fall, as he will likely head into the season as the starter at nose tackle following a 2025 season that saw him back up Jordan Swain last season.
The redshirt junior saw action in a total of nine games last season for the Bears after transferring in from Austin Peay a couple of years ago. Last season, Wellington saw action in nine games as a reserve for the Bears, while also participating on the special teams unit as part of the team’s punt return defense unit. Wellington finished the season with one tackle and a quarterback hurry.
South Carolina State transfer Rashawn Washington and College of Dupage JUCO product Kehinde Akintunde are both expected to make immediate impacts for the Bears. Washington saw time in eight games last season for the Bulldogs and he finished the season by posting nine tackles, including six solo stops, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, broke up a pass and caused a fumble. The 6-4, 310-lb nose tackle will have one year of eligibility remaining in Macon.
Akintunde will likely also help the defensive interior. The 6-5, 285-lb product of Lagos, Nigeria will have two years of eligibility remaining after transferring into Mercer from the College of Dupage, helping lead his program to an NJCAA Division III national title last fall. In five starts as a sophomore last season, Akintunde totaled 14 tackles, three tackles-for-loss and a pair of sacks.
A potential impact player that comes to Mercer’s defensive line unit via the transfer portal is defensive end Louis Wilkinson III, who transferred into the program this past spring out of Lincoln University in Missouri after initially starting his career at Liberty.
South Carolina State transfer Rashawn Washington and College of Dupage JUCO product Kehinde Akintunde are both expected to make immediate impacts for the Bears. Washington saw time in eight games last season for the Bulldogs and he finished the season by posting nine tackles, including six solo stops, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, broke up a pass and caused a fumble. The 6-4, 310-lb nose tackle will have one year of eligibility remaining in Macon.
Akintunde will likely also help the defensive interior. The 6-5, 285-lb product of Lagos, Nigeria will have two years of eligibility remaining after transferring into Mercer from the College of Dupage, helping lead his program to an NJCAA Division III national title last fall. In five starts as a sophomore last season, Akintunde totaled 14 tackles, three tackles-for-loss and a pair of sacks.
A potential impact player that comes to Mercer’s defensive line unit via the transfer portal is defensive end Louis Wilkinson III, who transferred into the program this past spring out of Lincoln University in Missouri after initially starting his career at Liberty.
The 6-3, 250-lb defensive end will have one season of eligibility remaining at Mercer, and he would log action in eight games at Lincoln last season, which saw him post six tackles and half-a-tackle-for-loss.
Cam Moore (West Georgia) and Marquis Williams (West Georgia) could also provide immediate support along the defensive front. Moore didn’t see action as a sophomore last season, but logged action as a freshman two years ago with the Wolves, including seeing time on 28 snaps in his debut against North Alabama posting a total of seven tackles. The 6-2, 290-lb native of Atlanta, GA., likely will provide support on the defensive interior.
Williams will likely serve along the defensive front as an edge rusher. As a freshman at UWG last season, retaining his red shirt by playing in only four games. The 6-2, 255-lb native of Quitman, GA., logged action in UWG’s upset win over Nicholls last season.
Delano Marcelus was slated to see action last season for the Bears before an injury derailed his season before it could even begin. The 6-2, 275-lb senior is likely a projected starter at defensive end coming into the season. In his final season at West Liberty before transferring into Mercer, he posted 61 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack, forced two fumbles and had one fumble recovery.
Aiden Holewski did not see game action last season after redshirting as a true freshman and he will likely figure into the mix at defensive end, while other freshmen are expected to challenge for time in various roles, including Batu Subasi (NG/DT), Ean Johnson-Kelley (DT), Kwaku Mensah (DE) and Patrell Reddick (DE).
Switching from the defensive line to linebacker, the Bears have some holdover talent returning to the fold like Ethan McDowell, who will play outside linebacker this fall and will be an integral part of the defense as an edge rusher.
Cam Moore (West Georgia) and Marquis Williams (West Georgia) could also provide immediate support along the defensive front. Moore didn’t see action as a sophomore last season, but logged action as a freshman two years ago with the Wolves, including seeing time on 28 snaps in his debut against North Alabama posting a total of seven tackles. The 6-2, 290-lb native of Atlanta, GA., likely will provide support on the defensive interior.
Williams will likely serve along the defensive front as an edge rusher. As a freshman at UWG last season, retaining his red shirt by playing in only four games. The 6-2, 255-lb native of Quitman, GA., logged action in UWG’s upset win over Nicholls last season.
Delano Marcelus was slated to see action last season for the Bears before an injury derailed his season before it could even begin. The 6-2, 275-lb senior is likely a projected starter at defensive end coming into the season. In his final season at West Liberty before transferring into Mercer, he posted 61 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack, forced two fumbles and had one fumble recovery.
Aiden Holewski did not see game action last season after redshirting as a true freshman and he will likely figure into the mix at defensive end, while other freshmen are expected to challenge for time in various roles, including Batu Subasi (NG/DT), Ean Johnson-Kelley (DT), Kwaku Mensah (DE) and Patrell Reddick (DE).
Switching from the defensive line to linebacker, the Bears have some holdover talent returning to the fold like Ethan McDowell, who will play outside linebacker this fall and will be an integral part of the defense as an edge rusher.
McDowell logged action in 10 games last season for the Bears, as well as being a big part of Mercer’s special teams unit. The 6-2, 245 redshirt junior made his debut against Wofford last season and finished the 2025 campaign with seven tackles, three tackles-for-loss and had 1.5 sacks.
Carter will be joined by West Georgia teammate CJ Favors at linebacker, as he saw limited action during his freshman campaign at UWG, totaling five stops and made his collegiate debut in a lopsided win to open the season at SoCon foe Samford.
Carter will be joined by West Georgia teammate CJ Favors at linebacker, as he saw limited action during his freshman campaign at UWG, totaling five stops and made his collegiate debut in a lopsided win to open the season at SoCon foe Samford.
UWG transfer Jacob Joseph, who logged minimal action in three games last season with the Wolves, could factor in as an edge rusher at outside linebacker this fall. He will have all four years of eligibility remaining.
Jyarius Carter is coming off a strong spring for the Bears after joining the program from West Georgia. The 6-0, 240-lb sophomore projects as a potential starter at inside linebacker in 2026. He saw action in nine games at UWG last season, finishing out the campaign with 21 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, a sack, an INT and forced a fumble.
Jyarius Carter is coming off a strong spring for the Bears after joining the program from West Georgia. The 6-0, 240-lb sophomore projects as a potential starter at inside linebacker in 2026. He saw action in nine games at UWG last season, finishing out the campaign with 21 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, a sack, an INT and forced a fumble.
Carter's physicality is the kind of linebacker that will make him a high volume tackle guy in a running league like the SoCon. Carter was a preseason First-Team All-SoCon pick by the league’s head coaches.
A potential starter at inside linebacker this fall could be sophomore Antonio Butts Jr., who spent time backing up talented former Bears linebacker Drew Clare last fall. He saw action as a reserve, as well as on special teams, completing his redshirt freshman campaign with 13 tackles, three tackles-for-loss and had a pair of sacks. In Mercer’s lopsided, late-season win over Samford, Butts Jr. recorded a 1-yard scoring plunge.
Maybe the most athletic of all the incoming defensive talents in this current class of portal class is Shorter transfer Jaise Davis. The rising sophomore could be used as a potential edge rusher at OLB, and he finished his rooking campaign with the Hawks, recording 21 tackles in nine games.
Another transfer that figures to be in the running for a starting spot is Lehigh transfer linebacker Bryce Izundu. The 6-2, 225-lb junior outside linebacker will have a chance to play a lot closer to home this fall, as he originally hails from Grayson, GA. Izundu saw only limited action in his two seasons at Lehigh, recording a combined 10 tackles in 21 games over the course of two seasons.
A potential starter at inside linebacker this fall could be sophomore Antonio Butts Jr., who spent time backing up talented former Bears linebacker Drew Clare last fall. He saw action as a reserve, as well as on special teams, completing his redshirt freshman campaign with 13 tackles, three tackles-for-loss and had a pair of sacks. In Mercer’s lopsided, late-season win over Samford, Butts Jr. recorded a 1-yard scoring plunge.
Maybe the most athletic of all the incoming defensive talents in this current class of portal class is Shorter transfer Jaise Davis. The rising sophomore could be used as a potential edge rusher at OLB, and he finished his rooking campaign with the Hawks, recording 21 tackles in nine games.
Another transfer that figures to be in the running for a starting spot is Lehigh transfer linebacker Bryce Izundu. The 6-2, 225-lb junior outside linebacker will have a chance to play a lot closer to home this fall, as he originally hails from Grayson, GA. Izundu saw only limited action in his two seasons at Lehigh, recording a combined 10 tackles in 21 games over the course of two seasons.
Rounding out the transfers that has a chance to be an impact player in this Mercer defense as a potential edge rusher is Eric Brantley Jr., who has two seasons of eligibility remaining after transferring in from Florida Atlantic. Over the course of two seasons, Brantley Jr. played mostly as a backup, logging action in 22 games and finished with 30 tackles, 5.0 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.
Brayden Dudley has spent two seasons at Mercer, with only limited reps at outside linebacker. However, the former West Virginia Mountaineer will hope the fruits of that hard work pay off this fall, as he has had trouble finding his way into the rotation with so many talented veterans having been a part of the roster when arrived back in the spring of 2024.
Brayden Dudley has spent two seasons at Mercer, with only limited reps at outside linebacker. However, the former West Virginia Mountaineer will hope the fruits of that hard work pay off this fall, as he has had trouble finding his way into the rotation with so many talented veterans having been a part of the roster when arrived back in the spring of 2024.
Limited to only four games due to injury last season, Dudley registered starts in three of those contests and was awarded an extra year of eligibility. He played in four of the first five games, recording starts in three. He makes the move from defensive to outside linebacker. In limited time last season, Dudley posted three tackles and half-a-sack.
Mac Bradley and Wyatt Hester also return off last year’s roster after only seeing very limited action in their respective inaugural seasons with the program. Seven other true freshmen--Gerald Walker Jr. (LB), Ronin Dangler (LB), Aaryn Askew (OLB), Jayden Bowden (LB), Jase Jordan (LB), Brian Clark II (LB) and Kanon Nelson (LB)—could all play their way into some meaningful playing time as a part of a young unit with plenty of potential in 2026.
Like every other unit, the secondary has to be completely rebuilt. Both safety and corner have been hallmarks of success for Mercer’s defense in recent years, with the remarkable season turned in by TJ Moore just two years ago, and what about the performance turned in by a guy like Myles Redding in that same season, as he played both safety and OLB during his Mercer career, excelling in both capacities.
It’s the secondary that sees the Bears with the most leadership back this fall. Seven of the 14 defensive lettermen that return for the Bears for the 2026 season are from the defensive backfield, which will be headlined by a pair of corners, in Evan Taylor and Justin Ferguson, who were both second-string on the depth chart just last season.
Mac Bradley and Wyatt Hester also return off last year’s roster after only seeing very limited action in their respective inaugural seasons with the program. Seven other true freshmen--Gerald Walker Jr. (LB), Ronin Dangler (LB), Aaryn Askew (OLB), Jayden Bowden (LB), Jase Jordan (LB), Brian Clark II (LB) and Kanon Nelson (LB)—could all play their way into some meaningful playing time as a part of a young unit with plenty of potential in 2026.
Like every other unit, the secondary has to be completely rebuilt. Both safety and corner have been hallmarks of success for Mercer’s defense in recent years, with the remarkable season turned in by TJ Moore just two years ago, and what about the performance turned in by a guy like Myles Redding in that same season, as he played both safety and OLB during his Mercer career, excelling in both capacities.
It’s the secondary that sees the Bears with the most leadership back this fall. Seven of the 14 defensive lettermen that return for the Bears for the 2026 season are from the defensive backfield, which will be headlined by a pair of corners, in Evan Taylor and Justin Ferguson, who were both second-string on the depth chart just last season.
Ferguson saw action in five games, including three as a member of the special teams unit. He posted one tackle last fall, which came in Mercer’s win over Wofford.
Taylor logged action in eight games last season after transferring in from Nebraska in the spring of 2025. The redshirt freshman ended up making his collegiate debut in the narrow, 38-34, win at East Tennessee State, and logged his most meaningful action of the season in Mercer’s lopsided late season win over Chattanooga.
Roman Douthit is another young returnee at corner looking to carve out his first action of his career this fall. Like Douthit, safety Mike Polke returns as a young, potential playmaker in the secondary for the Bears and the Toombs County, GA., product was able to maintain his redshirt year by seeing only limited action in four games. Ryan McNally is back and he saw time in the lineup a redshirt freshman last fall, playing in eight games, utilized primarily in special teams duty.
Cameron Goggins is a player to keep an eye on for the Bears this fall in the secondary. The junior corner, who transferred in from Florida Atlantic, will also likely compete for a starting role and saw his most extensive action as a part of FAU’s program during his sophomore season back in 2024 when he saw a good amount of reps across eight games, finishing the campaign with 16 tackles and a pair of pass breakups.
Javious Bond is a redshirt junior that could factor in the plans at corner this fall, as he transferred in from Austin Peay where he spent his redshirt sophomore campaign. Bond played his first two seasons at FBS East Carolina. Interestingly enough, Bond played running back at all three places prior to making his way to Macon, rushing for 347 yards and four TDs last season for the Governors, averaging an impressive 7.7 YPC.
The final major piece that joined up at cornerback for the Bears from the transfer portal is redshirt junior Emmanuel Lane, who comes to Macon following three seasons spent at Monmouth. Lane, a 6-2, 185-lb product of Willingboro, N.J., has good size and saw action in all 12 games last season for the Hawks and posted 13 tackles and a pair of pass breakups.
At safety, Carter Kermott and Kai Reyes return to the fold after appearing on Mercer’s two-deep prior to their playoff game against South Dakota. Kermott saw time in 10 games last season as a redshirt freshman and also saw action as a part of the special teams unit.
Roman Douthit is another young returnee at corner looking to carve out his first action of his career this fall. Like Douthit, safety Mike Polke returns as a young, potential playmaker in the secondary for the Bears and the Toombs County, GA., product was able to maintain his redshirt year by seeing only limited action in four games. Ryan McNally is back and he saw time in the lineup a redshirt freshman last fall, playing in eight games, utilized primarily in special teams duty.
Cameron Goggins is a player to keep an eye on for the Bears this fall in the secondary. The junior corner, who transferred in from Florida Atlantic, will also likely compete for a starting role and saw his most extensive action as a part of FAU’s program during his sophomore season back in 2024 when he saw a good amount of reps across eight games, finishing the campaign with 16 tackles and a pair of pass breakups.
Javious Bond is a redshirt junior that could factor in the plans at corner this fall, as he transferred in from Austin Peay where he spent his redshirt sophomore campaign. Bond played his first two seasons at FBS East Carolina. Interestingly enough, Bond played running back at all three places prior to making his way to Macon, rushing for 347 yards and four TDs last season for the Governors, averaging an impressive 7.7 YPC.
The final major piece that joined up at cornerback for the Bears from the transfer portal is redshirt junior Emmanuel Lane, who comes to Macon following three seasons spent at Monmouth. Lane, a 6-2, 185-lb product of Willingboro, N.J., has good size and saw action in all 12 games last season for the Hawks and posted 13 tackles and a pair of pass breakups.
At safety, Carter Kermott and Kai Reyes return to the fold after appearing on Mercer’s two-deep prior to their playoff game against South Dakota. Kermott saw time in 10 games last season as a redshirt freshman and also saw action as a part of the special teams unit.
Kermott finished the season with eight tackles, including a season-high four stops on 22 snaps against Chattanooga. Reyes, a redshirt sophomore, saw time in nine games, including eight as a Bears defender and also logged four games on special teams. All told, he finished the 2025 campaign with two tackles and half-a-sack, which came in the 63-17 win over Chattanooga.
The Bears welcome in eight newcomers at safety via the transfer portal, with guys like Nigel Gay (Catawba) and Javonte Walker (Central Washington) being two of those eight expected to contend for time.
The Bears welcome in eight newcomers at safety via the transfer portal, with guys like Nigel Gay (Catawba) and Javonte Walker (Central Washington) being two of those eight expected to contend for time.
In his final season at NCAA Division II Catawba, Gay posted 46 tackles, 2.5 TFL and had a whopping 11 PBUs last season for the Indians. Walker saw action in all 12 games last season at Central Washington, which included 23 tackles, 0.5 TFL, six PBUs and a pair of INTs. In Central Washington’s 42-17 loss at Montana last season, Walker registered a season high five tackles and an INT.
Jeremy Richardson could also be another potentially impactful player at safety for the Bears this fall, as he comes aboard from Shorter where he was a significant contributor in both seasons with the Hawks. In 2025, Richardson saw action in all 11 games, finishing with a team-high 55 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 5 PBUs, forced a fumble and had a fumble recovery.
Sam Martin Jr. joined the Mercer program from FCS and NEC member Wagner as a redshirt senior with one year of eligibility remaining. Martin posted the gaudiest stats, starting all 12 games for the Seahawks last season, as well as logging significant time as a part of Wagner’s special teams' unit. He finished out the 2025 season with a team-leading 86 tackles, 4.5 TFL, forced three fumbles and broke up three passes.
Overall Defensive Synopsis:
The Bears have a defense that is loaded with talented transfers, while the other factors in the overall defensive equation are still very young, especially in both the linebacker and defensive back rooms. With that said, there is enough talent recruited from the portal to likely make the Bears one of the top defenses in the league once again this season, despite its overall youth. However, putting up the kind of production and sustained excellence, particularly in the pass-rush, that the Bears have been able to do the past two seasons, may be a much harder task. I still expect this defense to be good, but just maybe a step or two behind the previous two seasons. It will have to be pretty good because the offense isn’t going to have the prolificness we saw from it last season.
Predicting the 2026 Schedule:
Jeremy Richardson could also be another potentially impactful player at safety for the Bears this fall, as he comes aboard from Shorter where he was a significant contributor in both seasons with the Hawks. In 2025, Richardson saw action in all 11 games, finishing with a team-high 55 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 5 PBUs, forced a fumble and had a fumble recovery.
Sam Martin Jr. joined the Mercer program from FCS and NEC member Wagner as a redshirt senior with one year of eligibility remaining. Martin posted the gaudiest stats, starting all 12 games for the Seahawks last season, as well as logging significant time as a part of Wagner’s special teams' unit. He finished out the 2025 season with a team-leading 86 tackles, 4.5 TFL, forced three fumbles and broke up three passes.
Overall Defensive Synopsis:
The Bears have a defense that is loaded with talented transfers, while the other factors in the overall defensive equation are still very young, especially in both the linebacker and defensive back rooms. With that said, there is enough talent recruited from the portal to likely make the Bears one of the top defenses in the league once again this season, despite its overall youth. However, putting up the kind of production and sustained excellence, particularly in the pass-rush, that the Bears have been able to do the past two seasons, may be a much harder task. I still expect this defense to be good, but just maybe a step or two behind the previous two seasons. It will have to be pretty good because the offense isn’t going to have the prolificness we saw from it last season.
Predicting the 2026 Schedule:
Aug. 29 vs. East Texas A&M W, 35-10
Sept. 5 vs. Presbyterian W, 42-17
Sept. 12 vs. Furman* L, 23-21
Sept. 19 at Georgia Tech L, 45-10
Sept. 26 at Abilene Christian L, 20-17
Oct. 3 at VMI* W, 51-20
Oct. 10 vs. Western Carolina* L, 38-31
Oct. 17 at Samford* W, 24-20
Oct. 24 BYE----------------------------------------------------------------
Oct. 31 vs. The Citadel W, 28-20
Nov. 7 at Chattanooga W, 35-28
Nov. 14 at Tennessee Tech L, 17-14
Nov. 21 vs East Tennessee State L, 35-31
Final Overall Record: 6-6
Final SoCon Record: 4-4/T-5th
Game to Watch Non-Conference: at Abilene Christian (Sept. 26)—A game that has the potential to make or break the season as far as non-conference games are concerned is the game between Mercer and Abilene Christian, which will take place on Sept. 26 in an 8 p.m. contest at Wildcat Stadium.
For the second time in the history of the series, Mercer will do battle with Abilene Christian on the gridiron on Sept. 26, as the two battle in a key non-conference battle. The lone meeting between the Bears and Wildcats came back during the COVID-19 compromised 2020 season, as the Bears lost a heartbreaker in Macon, coming up just short in a 2017 setback against the Wildcats.
ACU's Blair Zepeda connected on a 38-yard field goal as time expired, as the Wildcats were able to capture what was a 20-17 win over the Bears at Five Star Stadium. Interestingly, new Mercer head coach Joel Taylor was a part of that last meeting some six years ago, serving as the defensive coordinator on Drew Cronic's staff at Mercer. Zepeda's game-winning points were part of a flurry that saw ACU score all 20 of its points in a six-minute span en route to the win.
Coming into the 2026 campaign, Abilene Christian is slated to play four teams that made the FCS Playoffs during the 2025 season and has the third-toughest ranked schedule in all of FCS Football.
It marked just the third game in charge for Cronic and staff, and after an inauspicious 0-3 start to his career in Macon, under the direction of Cronic, Taylor and Co. would get things turned around a lot sooner than later. In that game some six years ago, it would mark the emergence of an especially aggressive and physical Mercer defense under the leadership Taylor, as it marked only the second time in the history of the program that a player recorded 20 or more tackles in a game, as safety Lance Wise topped the Bears defensive unit, which surrendered 372 yards on the day, which included 249 coming through the air.
While Taylor hopes the efficiency and result to be a better on the defensive side the ball in the second meeting with him now installed as the head coach of the program, he also likely hopes he will have more than a few players out there on the defensive side of the football that a Lance Wise possessed in that only other meeting between the two programs.
Like Mercer, the Wildcats ended up in the FCS Playoffs last season out of the UAC, finishing off a campaign that ended in the second round of the postseason with a 9-5 record under the direction of Keith Patterson, who enters his fifth season at the helm of the program, which he has helped grow into both a perennial FCS playoff contender, as well as being in the mix for a UAC title, which the Wildcats most certainly were throughout the 2025 season.
ACU was able to share the conference crown with Tarleton State last season, as both finished the season with 7-1 league marks in what was an incredibly strong season for the newly formed conference in 2023, which was a football-only league until this fall, as the league will now sponsor other sports other than football.
After picking up what was a 38-20 opening round win over Lamar, the Wildcats would ultimately see their season come to an end at the hands of another UAC foe, as the Wildcats traveled to Nacogdoches, TX for the second round of the playoffs and would fall, 41-34, to the seventh-ranked Lumberjacks in a game that would see seven lead changed before ACU finally succumbed to defeat.
That loss to SFA would see ACU end the season with a 9-5 overall record. The 2025 season marked the second-ever playoff appearance for the Wildcats after initially qualifying for the FCS Playoffs in 2024 following their historic first-ever UAC title.
The expectations for ACU are once again sky high, and with some significant pieces returning on both sides of the football, there's reason to believe they will once again be one of the favorites to claim the UAC title once again this fall. ACU went out and signed an exceptionally large class, which was heavy on transfer portal additions for the 2026 season in hopes of reloading for another conference title run this fall.
Among those expected to contribute immediately on the offensive side of the football is Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Emmett Brown, who comes off a season in which he didn't see action for the Chanticleers due to injuries, but in his time at San Jose State, he started six games and passed for 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024 for the Spartans. Brown was part of a big class, which included both high school and portal recruits, as ACU took in one of the more highly touted portal classes, welcoming in 17 transfers for the 2026 season.
Along with Brown, another exciting addition to the fold on the offensive side of the ball for ACU is North Texas transfer running back McKenzie McGill II, who rushed for 389 yards and five touchdowns last season for the Mean Green and had over 800 yards rushing in two seasons lining up in the UNT backfield.
One of the biggest additions on the defensive side of the ball for ACU from the transfer portal was safety Plae Wyatt from Rice, as he should come in and be an instant impact player for the Wildcats this coming season after providing veteran leadership to the back line of the Owls defense over the past three seasons, but has also battled some injuries. Last season, he posted 10 tackles and an INT after struggling to regain his form that derailed a promising start to the 2024 campaign.
Dillon Williams will add experience to a defense that lost a lot of maturity from last year's nine-win team, as he comes over from another UAC program--Central Arkansas---where garnered All-UAC honors in his time suiting up for the Bears.
ACU has lived up to the hype more often than not in their short time at the FCS level, and this season appears to be another one of those to believe the hype type campaigns for Patterson's team. Expect them to not only be a UAC title contender and defender once again, but also a prime playoff FCS Playoff contender again in 2026.
A non-conference win by Mercer on the road here would be one of the more accomplished non-conference wins by the SoCon and would go a long way in helping change the negative national narrative the league acquired once again last fall.
Sept. 5 vs. Presbyterian W, 42-17
Sept. 12 vs. Furman* L, 23-21
Sept. 19 at Georgia Tech L, 45-10
Sept. 26 at Abilene Christian L, 20-17
Oct. 3 at VMI* W, 51-20
Oct. 10 vs. Western Carolina* L, 38-31
Oct. 17 at Samford* W, 24-20
Oct. 24 BYE----------------------------------------------------------------
Oct. 31 vs. The Citadel W, 28-20
Nov. 7 at Chattanooga W, 35-28
Nov. 14 at Tennessee Tech L, 17-14
Nov. 21 vs East Tennessee State L, 35-31
Final Overall Record: 6-6
Final SoCon Record: 4-4/T-5th
Game to Watch Non-Conference: at Abilene Christian (Sept. 26)—A game that has the potential to make or break the season as far as non-conference games are concerned is the game between Mercer and Abilene Christian, which will take place on Sept. 26 in an 8 p.m. contest at Wildcat Stadium.
For the second time in the history of the series, Mercer will do battle with Abilene Christian on the gridiron on Sept. 26, as the two battle in a key non-conference battle. The lone meeting between the Bears and Wildcats came back during the COVID-19 compromised 2020 season, as the Bears lost a heartbreaker in Macon, coming up just short in a 2017 setback against the Wildcats.
ACU's Blair Zepeda connected on a 38-yard field goal as time expired, as the Wildcats were able to capture what was a 20-17 win over the Bears at Five Star Stadium. Interestingly, new Mercer head coach Joel Taylor was a part of that last meeting some six years ago, serving as the defensive coordinator on Drew Cronic's staff at Mercer. Zepeda's game-winning points were part of a flurry that saw ACU score all 20 of its points in a six-minute span en route to the win.
Coming into the 2026 campaign, Abilene Christian is slated to play four teams that made the FCS Playoffs during the 2025 season and has the third-toughest ranked schedule in all of FCS Football.
It marked just the third game in charge for Cronic and staff, and after an inauspicious 0-3 start to his career in Macon, under the direction of Cronic, Taylor and Co. would get things turned around a lot sooner than later. In that game some six years ago, it would mark the emergence of an especially aggressive and physical Mercer defense under the leadership Taylor, as it marked only the second time in the history of the program that a player recorded 20 or more tackles in a game, as safety Lance Wise topped the Bears defensive unit, which surrendered 372 yards on the day, which included 249 coming through the air.
While Taylor hopes the efficiency and result to be a better on the defensive side the ball in the second meeting with him now installed as the head coach of the program, he also likely hopes he will have more than a few players out there on the defensive side of the football that a Lance Wise possessed in that only other meeting between the two programs.
Like Mercer, the Wildcats ended up in the FCS Playoffs last season out of the UAC, finishing off a campaign that ended in the second round of the postseason with a 9-5 record under the direction of Keith Patterson, who enters his fifth season at the helm of the program, which he has helped grow into both a perennial FCS playoff contender, as well as being in the mix for a UAC title, which the Wildcats most certainly were throughout the 2025 season.
ACU was able to share the conference crown with Tarleton State last season, as both finished the season with 7-1 league marks in what was an incredibly strong season for the newly formed conference in 2023, which was a football-only league until this fall, as the league will now sponsor other sports other than football.
After picking up what was a 38-20 opening round win over Lamar, the Wildcats would ultimately see their season come to an end at the hands of another UAC foe, as the Wildcats traveled to Nacogdoches, TX for the second round of the playoffs and would fall, 41-34, to the seventh-ranked Lumberjacks in a game that would see seven lead changed before ACU finally succumbed to defeat.
That loss to SFA would see ACU end the season with a 9-5 overall record. The 2025 season marked the second-ever playoff appearance for the Wildcats after initially qualifying for the FCS Playoffs in 2024 following their historic first-ever UAC title.
The expectations for ACU are once again sky high, and with some significant pieces returning on both sides of the football, there's reason to believe they will once again be one of the favorites to claim the UAC title once again this fall. ACU went out and signed an exceptionally large class, which was heavy on transfer portal additions for the 2026 season in hopes of reloading for another conference title run this fall.
Among those expected to contribute immediately on the offensive side of the football is Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Emmett Brown, who comes off a season in which he didn't see action for the Chanticleers due to injuries, but in his time at San Jose State, he started six games and passed for 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024 for the Spartans. Brown was part of a big class, which included both high school and portal recruits, as ACU took in one of the more highly touted portal classes, welcoming in 17 transfers for the 2026 season.
Along with Brown, another exciting addition to the fold on the offensive side of the ball for ACU is North Texas transfer running back McKenzie McGill II, who rushed for 389 yards and five touchdowns last season for the Mean Green and had over 800 yards rushing in two seasons lining up in the UNT backfield.
One of the biggest additions on the defensive side of the ball for ACU from the transfer portal was safety Plae Wyatt from Rice, as he should come in and be an instant impact player for the Wildcats this coming season after providing veteran leadership to the back line of the Owls defense over the past three seasons, but has also battled some injuries. Last season, he posted 10 tackles and an INT after struggling to regain his form that derailed a promising start to the 2024 campaign.
Dillon Williams will add experience to a defense that lost a lot of maturity from last year's nine-win team, as he comes over from another UAC program--Central Arkansas---where garnered All-UAC honors in his time suiting up for the Bears.
ACU has lived up to the hype more often than not in their short time at the FCS level, and this season appears to be another one of those to believe the hype type campaigns for Patterson's team. Expect them to not only be a UAC title contender and defender once again, but also a prime playoff FCS Playoff contender again in 2026.
A non-conference win by Mercer on the road here would be one of the more accomplished non-conference wins by the SoCon and would go a long way in helping change the negative national narrative the league acquired once again last fall.
Game to Watch in the SoCon: vs. Furman (Sept. 12)—The Paladins haven’t fared very well against Mercer each of the past two seasons, getting blown out in each of those contests, including a 52-28 game in Paladin Stadium last season and the Bears romped to a 49-23 win over the Paladins two years ago at Five Star Stadium to win their first-ever Southern Conference crown. The Paladins were the last team not named Mercer to claim the title, and the Paladins will be facing a Mercer team that has won 12-straight SoCon games, including having not lost a SoCon home decision since Oct. 14, 2023, when the Mocs came to Five Star Stadium and posted a 22-10 win. Since that loss, the Bears have won 10-straight against SoCon Foes at Five Star Stadium. This game has the potential to be one of the best SoCon games of the season, and with Jake Garcia leading a re-tooled and more explosive Furman offense, I expect this game to be close throughout and somewhat of a defensive struggle before the Paladins end the long SoCon winning streak in Macon. The early-season encounter between the two will mark the 25th all-time clash between the two programs, with Furman holding a narrow 12-10-2 all-time edge.
Final Thought on Mercer
Over the years, sustained success on the SoCon gridiron has been one of the tougher things to accomplish and it will seemingly be even more difficult now with the transfer portal being more prevalent. It certainly won't take Joel Taylor long to win as the head coach at Mercer, but the big question is how long he stays after winning. Mike Jacobs was at Mercer two years and before that Drew Cronic a grand total of three. Now the cycle starts again, and with so much turnover, it's hard for me to imagine there isn't at least a little bit of a step back for the Bears this season before they return to their title winning ways in 2027.
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