

POSITION: Wide Receiver / Return Specialist
HOMETOWN: Macon, Ga.
TWITTER/INSTAGRAM: @Braydensmithmu / @Brayden_sm1th
MAJOR: Management
SEASON NOTES:
• Preseason All-Southern Conference (Phil Steele)
• Stats Perform National Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 2)
• SoCon Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 2)
• 452 all-purpose yards (150.7 yards/game), 4 touchdowns
• Ranks 3rd, nationally, in all-purpose yards, 5th in punt return average
YOU GREW UP ATTENDING MU GAMES. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MERCER FOOTBALL MEMORY?
“My favorite memory growing up was attending the first-ever home game when the team started back up in 2013. My favorite memory as a player is definitely my first catch at Ole Miss last year. It felt like I was dreaming catching passes for the team I had watched growing up my whole life.”
IF YOU COULD GO BACK FIVE YEARS, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF?
“I would tell myself to keep my head down and continue grinding. I would ensure myself that there will be ups and downs in the path, but everything will work out as long as you push through the lows.”
WHAT IS IT ABOUT THIS YEAR’S TEAM THAT WILL BRING MERCER ITS FIRST SOCON CHAMPIONSHIP?
“Our energy and chemistry. We have a new offense and a lot of new talent that helps our offense flow. Not to mention that, in my opinion, our defense is the best in the country.”
WHEN THE BEARS HA
VE THE BALL AV
MERCER OFFENSE
Pos.No.Name Yr Ht., Wt., r.., Hometown
X7 Ke endallHarris d 200 61 R Fr Concor N
ll Har d, ., -F 200, , , r., ,
18 Adjatay Dabbs ., R-Fr 170, 6-0, , , r., Greeneville
LT74Amarii Atchison ., R-Fr 300, 6-8, , r., Douglasvill
LG
79Matthew Johnson y ., 300, 6-3, , R-So , Marbur ,
71Israel Mukwiza onx, ., R-Sr 320, 6-1, , r., Br N
61Aver y Ferris R-Fr 290, 6-3, , , r.., Auburn, Al
C 64 Riley Adcock Dacula, Sr., 270, 6-0, , , r., , Ga.
57 ra T Tyyler Mur ay Alta Fr 285, 6-2, , , r.., avista, Va.
RG57 ra T Tyyler Mur ay Alta Fr 285, 6-2, , , r.., avista, Va.
78Ian Hover Atlanta, R-Sr 310, 6-2, , , r.., , Ga
RT 55 EJ Johnson , T Jr 285, 6-5, , , r.., oledo Ohio
63 Eli Edwards Cumming, , 305, 6-5, , R-So ,
TE86 Samuel Albee , oody ., 235, 6-5, , So , Dunw G
88 T Ty y Everson , Blackshear ., 235, 6-3, , , So , r, G
Z13 Kelin Parsons Sr 205, 6-2, , , r.., Winston-Salem,
2 Apollos Cook Lexington, ., R-Fr 210, 6-3, , , r., ,
SLOT 21 Brayden Smith Macon, ., 185, 5-10, , , So , , Ga.
10 Parke er Wroble Hoschton, Sr., 185, 5-10, , , r., , G
QB 1DJ Smith ood, ., Jr 200, 6-2, r., Greenw ,
12 Hess Horne ., R-Jr 185, 6-2, r., Eufaula, Ala.
RB3 Dwayne McGee , Sr., 180, 5-8, , r., Kissimmee Fl
27Micah Bell ., 205, 5-10, , , R-So , McDonou
THE CITTA ADEL DEFENSE
Pos.No.Name
Yr Ht., Wt., r.., Hometown
DE 56Josh Cole ell, ., 245, 6-3, , , R-So , Rosw G
91 Chris Benton , Haines City , 250, 6-0, , , So F
DT99 ce Jr Ke enneth Pier r. d, Gr., 285, 6-2, , , r., Concor , N
.C. T e, e enn. , e Ga. Ala. Y a. Ga. Ga. Ga. m, , N.C S.C. Ga. Miss. la. ugh, , Ga. Ga. Fla. C.
76Jordan Marks etta, Sr 305, 6-0, , r.., Alphar , Ga
DT93Chris Iverson ., R-Jr 265, 6-0, r., Richmond, 98 Carson Arnold , 280, 6-3, , , R-So Charleston
DE 37 DaVo onyae Pettis ,y ., 235, 6-2, , , So , Shelb N.C .
33 Jeremiah Holmes Durham, , 240, 6-3, , , So , N.C
LB 43 Je’Mazin Roberts , 235, 6-2, , , R-So Milledgevill
52Giovanni Ricciardi Gr 220, 6-0, , , r.., Winston-Sal
LB2 Thomas W Wy yatt t, McK Sr., 230, 6-3, , r., e eespor ,
45 Mikey Rosa ., R-Fr 245, 6-3, , r., Charleston
NICK 31 Cale Williams Canton, ., Jr 200, 6-0, r., , Ga.
Va n, , S.C C. , le Ga. em, , N.C . Pa. n, , S.C
19Dominick Poole Randleman, Gr., 195, 6-0, , , r., , N.C
CB34 Bradlee Jones ood, ., 175, 6-1, , So , Greenw , S.C
39Justice Gilliard V Y 185, 6-0, , , R-So., o orktown, a
FS 16Evan Byrd , La Gr., 175, 5-10, , , r., wrenceville Ga.
17Kaleb Brown ood, ., R-Fr 185, 6-0, , , r., Hollyw , S C
SS 13 Will Pickren Mount Pleasant, Gr., 175, 6-2, , r., , S.C
32 Te emarcus Elam Augusta, R-Fr 205, 6-0, , r.., , Ga.
CB26Jaleel Laffitte Gr., 195, 6-0, , , r., Phoenix, Ariz
3 Melvin Ra avenel eek, ., R-Jr 180, 6-3, , , r., Goose Cr S.C
MERCER SPECIALISTS
Pos.No.Name Yr Ht., Wt., r.., Hometown
PK93Reice Griffith , ., 170, 5-11, , So , Pace Fla.
92 ok Sully Cr e er Auburn, R-Fr 180, 6-0, , , r.., , Ga
P 19John McConnell ., R-Jr 190, 6-3, r., Morgantow 89Ian Garcia 210, 6-0, , R-So., Winderme
KR21 Bra ayden Smith ., 185, 5-10, , So , Macon, Ga.
5 Javarius George Dallas, ., Fr 170, 5-10, , , r., , Ga.
PR21 Brayden Smith ., 185, 5-10, , , So , Macon, Ga.
5 Javarius George Dallas, ., Fr 170, 5-10, , , r., , Ga.
LS56Jaiden Hamilton ., 215, 6-2, , , So , Carrollton, G
37 Tr ripp Slaton wnan, ., 215, 6-1, , R-So , Ne , G
HOL19John McConnell ., R-Jr 190, 6-3, r., Morgantow
12 Hess Horne ., R-Jr 185, 6-2, r., Eufaula, Ala.
a. V W n, . a a. , ere Fla. Ga. Ga. V W n, a
VE THE BALL AV WHEN THE B
THE CITTA ADEL OFFENSE
ULLDOGS HA
Pos.No.Name Yr Ht., Wt., r.., Hometown WR0 onte Gra Jav aves-Billips ., R-Jr 195, 5-10, , , r., Mobile , Ala. 21 Romello Jones , Plant City ., 180, 6-0, , , So , Fla.
LT75 Darwin Murillo T ., 310, 6-4, , So , Garland, exas
55Br yson Jones ood, Gr., 290, 6-4, , r., Greenw , S.C
LG 63 Nico Rodriguez-Pena ., 310, 6-1, , So , Bradenton, Fla.
60 Brady Picke ett tle Beach, ., Fr 285, 6-3, , , r., Myr , S.C
C57 Mike Bar tilucci , ., R-Jr 300, 6-1, , r., Jacksonville Fla.
62 Mike Lengi eal, ., R-Fr 300, 6-1, , r., Montr Canada
RG 70 Zach Blanchard r, Gr., 340, 6-2, , , r., Clover, S.C
59Alex Dure Bradenton, ., 310, 6-1, , So , , Fla.
RT71 Cameron Moewe , Gr., 255, 6-4, , r., Jacksonville Fla.
77 T Tyyler Heggins-Hill Raleigh, ., R-Fr 280, 6-4, , r., , N.C
TE80Saul Diaz Columbia, Gr., 230, 6-3, , r., , S.C
49 Cole England ens, ., R-Jr 230, 6-4, , r., Laur , S.C .
WR 88 T Tyyler Cherr y Piedmont, Gr., 195, 6-1, , r., , S.C
5 a Malachi T y ylor eek, ., R-Sr 190, 6-3, , , r., Goose Cr S.C
WR 7Der von Pesnell , Moncks Corner Gr., 205, 6-4, , r., r, S.C .
82 Ha’K Ke eem Monroe Ruskin, ., 185, 6-2, , , R-So , , Fla.
QB 11Johnathan Bennett , Gr., 235, 6-1, , r., Summer ville S.C
1Dustin Fletcher Flint, Gr., 220, 6-3, , r., , Mich.
RB 42 yCore Ibrahim Raleigh, , 190, 5-10, , R-So , N.C
27 Cooper Wallace , Gr., 190, 5-10, , , r., Florence S.C
MERCER DEFENSE
Pos.No.Name Yr Ht., Wt., r.., Hometown
DE 0 Brayden Manley , V 245, 6-2, , , So., a anceboro N.C
49 Carson Griffin Calhoun, Sr., 250, 6-3, , , r., , Ga
NT99 Caden Camese , ., 285, 6-1, , R-So , Bellevue Neb
95RJ Evans Gr., 285, 6-1, , r., High Point, N.C.
DT1Arias Nash , ., Jr 275, 6-1, r., Charlotte N.C
98 Chris Hill ., R-Sr 295, 6-1, , r., Statesboro,Ga.
DE42Christian Hanson Senoia, ., Jr 235, 6-0, , r., , Ga.
94Andrew Zock Citra, ., Fr 250, 6-2, , , r., , Fla.
LB 15 Ke en Standley oss, aW R-Sr 225, 5-11, , r.., ycr , Ga.
6Marques Thomas Bessemer Sr., 225, 6-0, , , r., r, , Ala.
LB3 Isaac Dowling , Sr., 225, 5-9, , r., Snellville Ga.
46Isaac Prince , ., 215, 6-0, , R-So , Snellville Ga.
SAM4 van W Dono a atkins 180, 5-11, , R 16 Christian Davis 190, 5-10, , , R
CB 8TJ Moore Sr 185, 6-0, , , r. 21Victor Pless 175, 5-10, , , G
FS2 Myles Redding Sr 195, 6-1, , r.
17Kaleb Hutchinson 185, 6-0, , , R-
SS 14 Chris Joines Jr 195, 6-3, r..,
38Juwan Johnson 195, 5-11, Jr
CB 11Dainsus Miller 170, 5-10, , , Jr
9Khalil Moody Fr 160, 6-1, , r.
THE CITTA ADEL SPECIALISTS
Pos.No.Name
, -Fr r.., Winnsboro S.C T -So., u uscaloosa, Ala. , ., , Riverdale Ga. ,wennesaK Gr., r., e a Ga. Mableton, ., , , Ga. Augusta, So., , Ga. Winston-Salem, , , N.C vannah, Sa r., a , Ga. Fairburn, r., , Ga. Sumter, ., , r, S.C
Ht., Wt., Yr
r r.., Hometown
PK87 Ben Barnes 190, 5-10, , ,
Medina, , R-So , Ohio
86Jack McCall Jr 165, 5-8, , r.., P 90 James Platte 210, 6-0, , Gr
46 Jack We eil 220, 6-1, , RKR 83 Bra ay ylon Knauth Fr 170, 5-8, , r. 0 onte Gra Jav aves-Billips 195, 5-10, ,
PR 83 Bray ylon Knauth Fr 170, 5-8, , r.
19Dominick Poole 195, 6-0, , , Gr
LS 61 Nathan Tokar 265, 5-9, , Gr
Columbia, , , S C en, Aik r r.., e , S.C . Charleston, ., Fr r., , S.C , ., , Orlando Fla. ., R-Jr r., Mobile , Ala. , ., , Orlando Fla. Randleman, r., , N.C , r., Naper ville Ill
86Jack McCall Jr 165, 5-8, , r.., HOL86Jack McCall Jr 165, 5-8, r.., 90 James Platte 210, 6-0, , Gr
Columbia, , , S C
Columbia, , , S.C en, Aik r r.., e , S.C
1-The Citadel, old series with including a 17-0 victory over the Bulldogs the last time the two teams met in Macon. o sides began in 1906, The rivalry between the tw , and the or om 1925-30 bef y squads eventuall met every season fr fo e abandoning the series. . Mercer has split 10 meetings with The Citadel since joining the Southern Conffe erence prior to the 2014 campaign, including three wins in Charleston, S.C.
u cer is just 4-6 in Southern Conf Mer fe erence home our e a f but will tak openers, , fo r-game win streak in such games The Bears ha into tonight’’s s matchup with The Citadel ave d f 293 i i h il
ed an a scor verage of po nts per game n their league t of the 2014 season, home lid-lifters since the star , and their an a y six losses in those games ha ave come b verage of 5.3 y points. MU dropped its SoCon home opener b just one onight’ T point in three consecutive seasons from 2015-17 o ’s s contest will mark the fifth time in 11 seasons that Mercer will open its SoCon home schedule against The Citadel
u Mercer is now 44-20 (.688) all-time in Five Star Stadium yterian, f fo ollowing its season-opening win over Presb , including an 18-4 (.810) clip since the 2019 campaign. The Bears turned in at least f ha ave foourwins inside their home stadium and ha ears, in each of the last f foour y , ave now captured 11 of
their last 13 home games f fo ollowing the 63-10 rout of the Blue Hose on August 29.
u ters (9 off The Citadel, which returned 15 star feense) off ptur s 0-11 squad, ear ’ of last ye ’s , has ca e ed two of its first three games this season under first-year head coach Maurice eek’ ton,y Dra t , including last w ’s s 54-0 home win over NCAA Division II f fooe North Greenville. The Bulldogs will ride ense into Macon, ed scoring def s 6th-rank AAFCS’ NC ’s e fe , while also boasting the nation’’s s top punting unit (47 7 net yards/punt).
u s top def wcase one of the nation’ The Bears will sho ’s feenses
Reice Grif ing an ext day’ ur ’s w 37-for-37 than 128 total time
fith matched a 6-year-old school record by tra-point attempt for the 51st-straight tim win at Chattanooga. The Pace, Fla., nat on PA AT attempts as a true freshman last s y 72 per minutes in 2024 - nearl c cent ( 715 on the field across their first three out
u Merce of nationa up eight o gest mov 25 P Po oll as
v con e erte in Sative went eason.
5) of their ings.
t in 11 y r's first 3-0 star ears caught the a oters on Monda l v ay morning as the Bear r more spots in both national rankings
ttention s jumped
erf cer came in the Stats P f e fo or Mer Pe fo orm s the Orange & Blackleapt up eight spot
k l
top-30 leaders in total att ars, 12 ye including a pand season that sa aw the Oran in total attendance.
u By converting his lone y ’ da tempt in Satur a ’s s win at kicker Reice Griffith matc consecutive extra points.T A ed all 51 P ter conver e AT T att or cluding a 37-f for-37 clip as now on the same rung in kicker Cole Fisherwho br
r w with 51 consecutive extr
tendance nine times over the last demic-riddled 2020-Spring 2021 y nge & Black rank 12th, , nationall , A wn (P point after touchdo PAT T) atChattanooga, sophomore places all-time mark f cer ’ ched Mer ’s fo or sophomor Fla., , he Pace , e has now , eer tempts of his collegiate car r inr. ea s a true freshman last y He is books as f the record fo ormer MU ridged the 2017 and 2018 seasons a points.
u With their current pac wling and K Isaac Do e en Sta d f career recor fo or total t
Heading into the current s needed 40 or less tackles W T y rentl held by Tyyler ard of the ballin the first f foou return to Macon.
T T eer Recor Carre rd d: otal a 1 332 Tl W d(2
lerW T Ty y ar
y listing. Similarl , MU made an eight-spot ican Football Coaches Association (AFC oll bef P fo ore nestling in to the No 16 e the highest f rankings ar fo or the Bears
t jump in A) FCS position. since as-
The bigT FCS o op ts to No 14 in that the Amer Coaches Monda ay y's
senior all-American lineback e, ers er ’ Mer ha ,y y andle undoubtedl ave c ’s s tackles well within their reach. season, , both Mercer graduates to match the record r-d on the def who starre feensive side ootball’ r seasons (2013-16) of f fo ’s s W ckles (thr ro ough e eek 3)
2.321 Lance Wise (2
3.311Isaac Dowling
4.306 Ke en Standley
ont of their home fans tonight. in fr Mercer possesses ed total def s second-rank AAFCS’ NC ’s e feense (193.7 yards per ed), game/allow , but leads the country in 3rd down conver-rushing def ense (.079%), sion deffe , feense (13.7 yards/game alscoring def ed), low , feense (5.0 points/game allowed) and tackles f fo or loss per game (10.0). The Orange & Black also ranks among the nation’’s s top 10 teams in seven other deories as w f feensive statistical categ ell. u ee games, Through thr , Mercer stands as the only nonIvy League FCS team ye et to trail in a game this season.The who a Bears, , verage more than 34 minutes of possession or mor held the lead f ha time (34:05) per game so
r
Mercer ha f i p
10/14/1911 vannah, Sa a , Ga. L, 5-0
10/25/1913 vannah, Sa a , Ga. ,T 7-7
10/31/1925 Augusta, , Ga. L, 16-0
10/2/1926 Macon L, 12-7
10/1/1927 vannah, Sa a , Ga. ,W 6-0
11/17/1928 vannah, Sa a , Ga. ,W 7-0
11/16/1929 Charleston, , S.C . L, 21-13 9/26/1930 Charleston, , S.C ,W 26-0
11/1/2014Macon L, 28-26
10/31/2015 Charleston, , S.C L, 21-19
9/1/2016 Macon
L, 24-23
10/7/2017 Charleston, , S C ,W 24-14
9/22/2018 Macon L, 38-31
10/26/2019 Charleston, , S.C L, 35-24
2/27/2021Macon ,W 42-28
10/30/2021 Charleston, , S C ,W 34-7
9/17/2022 Macon ,W 17-0
11/4/2023 Charleston, , S.C ,W 38-16
Mercer vs. The Citadel...
In Macon: 2-4
In Charleston, S.C.: 5-5
Neutr ra al Sites: 2-2-1
Decided By 3 Points Or Less: 0-3-1
Decided By 7 Points Or Less: 2-6-1
Biggest Win: 34-7 (2021)
Biggest Loss: 16-0 (1925)
Current Streak: W4
Last 10 Games: 5-5
VMI *
* SAMFOR 26 . Oct.
Statistics eamTe2024T ence ( feer * = Southern Conf at Clemson 16 v No d orfo Wo * at off 16 v No ATTAAN * CHATT 9 .voN BYE 2 v No
dageraY Rushing oints per game P Scoring
erage per rush Av
erage per game Av
TDs rushing
dageraY Passing
-Att.-Int. Comp
erage per game Av
TDs passing
feense To otal Off
erage per game Av
Fumbles-lost
ersions v wn Con d Do 3r
Ibrahim ye Cor Att Rushing The Citadel Lea 2024 ds ar Y Sacks By-Y ersio v wn Con d Do 3r
allace W Cooper
6
6
65Simon MermuysOL 6-4 265 Fr r. .
67 Pierson SearsOL 6-1 255 Fr r.
69 Ja ay CulbrethDL 6-1 225 R-Fr r.
70 Xavier JenningsOL 6-2305 Grr.
71Israel MukwizaOL 6-1 320 R-Srr.
6
6-1 200 R-Fr r. Concord, , N.C / Cox Mill HS
6-4 200 Fr. W Ga. Atlanta, , / e estlake HS
6-0 185 Gr. Ga. , Riverdale / Riverdale HS
6-6 225 Fr. Raleigh, , N.C / Cardinal Gibbons HS
6-3 195 Jr. . Winston-Salem, , N.C / Myr tle Beach Prep
5-10 175 Fr. Ga. , Moultrie / Colquitt County HS
5-11 225 Gr. Ga. oss, aW ycr , / Ware County HS
5-10 190 R-So. uscaloosa, Tu , Ala./ Army
6-0 185 R-So. Ga. Augusta, , / Coastal Carolina
78 Ian HoverOL 6-2310 R-Srr. . 79 Matthew JohnsonOL 6-3300R-So. 80 Lake Thoman WR5-10 180 R-Fr r. 81 Scooter Risper WR5-10 175 R-Srr.
82 Cole Sha aw WR6-2 195 Fr r.
88 Ty Everson TE 6-3235So.
89 Ian GarciaP6-0210R-So. Wind 90 T
99Caden CameseDL 6-1 285R-So.
Head Coach: e Jacobs, Mik , 1st , Season (Ohio State 2001)
Associate Head Coach: wn Chaff Sha a feee (Linebackers)
Assistant Coaches: wn (Def Jahmal Brro o feensive Coordinator/Saf nes (Running Backs), terbacks), ordinator/Quar , Fred Jo , Matt Ulric e Line), y Long (Def ers), Receiv , Jimm feensiv Shaedon Meadors (Ti
2
5-11185 Srr. est Co
ty
5-11175R-So. .L. T Ga. Athens, , / Hanna HS
6-2 175 Grr. Mount Pleasant, S C / Hampden-S dne
83 Bra ay ylon Knauth WR5-8 170 Fr r.
5-10 175 Fr r.
6-0 180So.
5-11 220 Grr. T Manvel, exas / Nor thwestern State
6-0 175So. / Conwa ,y Conwa S.C y y HS
6-0 195 Fr r. Fla. ampa,Ta , / East Lake HS
5-10 190 R-F
3
34 Bradlee JonesDB6-1175So. ood, Greenw , S.C / Emerald HS
42Corey IbrahimRB5-10 190R-So. Raleigh, , N.C / Myr tle Beach Collegiate
43Je’Mazin Roberts LB6-2235R-So. Academ Ga. , Milledgeville / John Milledge my
44 Sebastien BoyleRB5-11 215 Fr r. Scottsbluff, , Neb / Scottsbluff HS
45 Mikey Rosa LB6-3245 R-Fr r. . W . Charleston, , S.C / a ando HS
46 Jack We eil K/P6-1 220 R-Fr r. Charleston, , S C / Luc Beckham HS
53 Miles RobinsonOL 6-5330 R-Fr r. Ga. , T Ty yrone / Sandy Creek HS
55Br yson JonesOL 6-4 290 Grr. ood, Greenw , S.C / Emerald HS 56Josh ColeDL 6-3245R-So. Ga. ell, Rosw / Fellowship Christian School
57Mike BartilucciOL 6-1 300 R-Jrr. Fla. , Jacksonville / Fletcher HS
58 Maurice Bonneau Jrr. DL 6-1 245R-So. Rock Hill, S.C / Rock Hill HS
84Will RameyWR6-1195 R-Jrr. C
85 Wilson Long WR6-3 190R-So.Rosw
91 Chris BentonDL 6-0250So. 92 yant Jr Dwayne Br r. DL 6-1 300 Fr r. Cha 93Chris IversonDL 6-0265 R-Jrr. Rich
94 Jr rance W Te er ells r. . DL 6-3235 Fr r. . 96 Philli CollinsDL 6-0275 R-Jrr. p Q Colton Green
Meetze 81Kaiden SwortzelTE 6-3250 R-Fr r. . F 82 Ha ’Ke eem Monroe WR6-2 185R-So.
Betts
yden V Ha a asquez QB6-2200R-So. Rhyder Poppell RB5-10220 R-Fr r.
Zander Benitez OL 6-1 275 Fr r. F Will Hall OL 6-3280 Fr r.
Ashton Phillips
Austin HadlockLB6-3 190 Fr r.
Andy Yo oung V LS6-0 150 Fr r. Ben BessingerDL 5-10250 Fr r.
Head Coach: yton, Maurice Dra a , 1st Season (The Citadel, 1998)
Chief of Staff: Keith Jones
Assistant Coaches: wis (Tight Ends); Danny Le Patrick Covingt ens (Co-Off e Line); f feensiv Lamar Ow feensive Coordinator/Wide Re eams); T T Coordinator/Linebackers); o ony Coaxum (Special e Evere e Line); t Pinilla (Def terbacks); Eskierka (Quar Rober feensiv Jo Jac Casterlin (Off ance (Bandits); V eties); (Saffe Zane a Barr y feensive Assist eg Dixon (Def Assistant); (Off Jason Simmons Jr tant); r. feensive Gr fe e