

POSITION: Offensive Line (Guard)
HOMETOWN: Bronx, N.Y.
TWITTER: @IsraelMukwiza
MAJOR: Management
CAREER NOTES:
• Played freshman season (2021) at Alabama A&M
• Has allowed just three sacks in 1,600 offensive snaps for the Bears
• Active streaks: 32 consecutive games played, 22 consecutive starts
• 2023 All-Southern Conference selection (Phil Steele)
• 2024: 8 starts at left guard, 530 offensive snaps, 1 sack allowed
HOW DO YOU WANT MERCER FANS TO REMEMBER YOU?
“As someone who showed up with determination, humility, and a desire to make a positive impact. I want to be known as a player who gave his all on and off the field, someone who valued hard work and teamwork, and never took his opportunities for granted.”
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AS A MERCER BEAR?
“Probably during my internship with Mercer Athletics. It was a chance to represent the program behind the scenes and understand what goes into athletic operations. It was humbling and taught me a lot about dedication and discipline, not just as a player but as part of a bigger organization.”
IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY, WHAT IS THE FIRST THING THAT YOU WOULD DO?
“I’d first help take care of my family to ensure they’re comfortable and secure. After that, I’d love to invest in something meaningful, like community initiatives for youth development, education, or sports, to create opportunities for others.”
WHAT DID YOU DO GROWING UP THAT ALWAYS GOT YOU INTO TROUBLE?
“I was always very curious, and sometimes that curiosity led me to test limits even when I was told not to! Whether it was playing pranks or pushing boundaries, I definitely kept everyone on their toes.”
ll Har d, ., 200, -1, , r., ,
18 Adjatay Dabbs ., R-Fr 170, 6-0, , , r., Greeneville
LT70 Xavier Jennings ,y Gr., 305, 6-2, , , r., Shelb N.C
79Matthew Johnson y ., 300, 6-3, , R-So , Marbur ,
LG 71Israel Mukwiza onx, ., R-Sr 320, 6-1, , r., Br N
61Aver y Ferris R-Fr 290, 6-3, , , r.., Auburn, Al
C64Riley Adcock Dacula, Sr., 270, 6-0, , , r., , Ga.
57 ra T Tyyler Mur ay Alta Fr 285, 6-2, , , r.., avista, Va.
RG 74Amarii Atchison ., R-Fr 300, 6-8, , , r., Douglasvill
78 Ian 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 ,
TE 86Samuel 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
QB8 Whitt Newbauer Raleigh, ., Fr 225, 6-6, , r., , N.C
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
, , r., Knightdale N.C
LG61 Gabe Thompson tanburg, ., R-Sr 310, 6-3, , r., Spar , S.C
67 Seth Williams , ., R-Jr 300, 6-4, r., Statesville N.C
C66
Luke Smith T Gr., 280, 6-1, , r., Lebanon, e enn.
58 x Radcliff Maddo fe e V ., 256, 6-0, , , So , Rockville , a a.
RG55 Will McCra aw , Tiger Jr 265, 6-4, , r., r, Ga.
65 Miada Jones Duluth, ., 296, 6-0, , , So , , Ga.
RT71 Derrell Bailey y ., R-Sr 305, 6-6, , , r., Montgomer , Ala.
64 Braxton Shipp d, ., R-Jr 290, 6-3, r., Concor , N.C
TE 0 Cameron Lewis Atlanta, Gr 245, 6-4, , r.., , Ga.
18 Jonathan Burns en, Aik R-Jr 235, 6-4, r.., e , S.C .
WR12 Ephraim Floyd Beach, V Jr 190, 5-10, , , r.., e ero , Fla.
1 Justin Franklin , ., R-Jr 160, 5-8, , , r., Douglasville Ga.
WR11 AJ Johnson w Orleans, ., 195, 6-3, , , R-So , Ne , La.
19 Xavier Gaillardetz , ., 204, 6-0, , R-So , Quebec Canada
QB2 Jay ylen King olkston, ., 210, 6-3, , So , F , Ga.
6 Gino English Winter Park, Gr 195, 6-1, , r.., Fla.
RB 7 Br yson Irby , Sr., 203, 6-0, , r., Douglasville Ga. 3 Devontae Houston Roanok ., R-Jr 163, 5-10, , , r., e , Ala.
A
EAST TENNESSEE STTAATTE DEFENSE
Pos.No.Name Yr Ht., Wt., r.., Hometown
DE11 Jay ylen George , ., 265, 6-2, , , R-So , Suwanee G
12 Damon Early , ., R-Jr 240, 6-3, , , r., Charlotte
DT91 Brenden LeBlanc , ., 262, 6-0, , , So , Marrero La.
98 Jai Barnes wn, ., Jr 300, 6-2, r., Cedar to , G
DE94 Brandon Wilson t, Gr., 265, 6-1, , r., Beaufor , S.C
90 Dailen Howard Athens, 260, 6-1, , So., , Ga.
LB 4 Zach We est , ., R-Sr 223, 6-1, , r., Boone N.C
22 Nick Hunter Atlanta, R-Jr 218, 6-5, , r.., , Ga.
LB 10 T Ty y Anderson , Jr 210, 6-1, , r., Thomasville G
27 Te eddy Wilson Edenton, ., R-Jr 190, 6-1, , r., , N.
LB21 Ray Coney Fairfield, , 218, 6-3, , So , Ohi
0 Cody Goatley K yfield, Ma ., R-Jr 223, 6-2, r., , Ky
LB2 William McRainey , ., R-Sr 228, 6-0, , r., Shallotte N.C
1 e Da Di’Andr vis , ., R-Sr 223, 6-2, , , r., Charlotte N.C
CB5 Jimmy Bowdr y , Jr 185, 5-11, r.., Thomasville Ga.
9 Jay yvon Henderson Auburn, 189, 5-10, , R-So., , Ga.
FS3 Jaden Wo oods , Decatur ., R-Sr 205, 6-0, , , r., r, Ga.
24 Andrew Hand oodstock, W Fr 180, 6-1, , r.., o Ga.
SS 18 Ryan Barrett Marietta, ., R-Fr 185, 6-1, , r., , Ga.
7 Mike Jenkins , ., Jr 167, 6-2, r., Summer ville S.C .
CB6 Cam Sims T ., R-Sr 185, 6-2, , , r., Memphis, e enn.
20 T Tyywan Royal oss, ., R-Fr 180, 6-0, , , r., Norcr , Ga.
MERCER SPECIALISTS
Pos.No.Name
Yr Ht., Wt., r.., Hometown
PK93 Reice 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
KR 21 Bra ayden Smith ., 185, 5-10, , So , Macon, Ga.
10 Parke er Wroble Hoschton, Sr., 185, 5-10, , , r., , G
PR 21 Brayden Smith ., 185, 5-10, , , So , Macon, Ga.
10 Parke er Wroble Hoschton, Sr., 185, 5-10, , , r., , G
LS56 Jaiden 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
a. V W n, . a a. , ere Fla. Ga. Ga. Ga. Ga. V W n, a
12 Hess Horne ., R-Jr 185, 6-2, r., Eufaula, Ala.
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
NT98Chris Hill ., R-Sr 295, 6-1, , r., Statesboro,Ga.
91Jordan Swain wick, ., R-Sr 290, 6-3, , r., Bruns Ga.
DT1Arias Nash , ., Jr 275, 6-1, r., Charlotte N.C
99 Caden Camese , ., 285, 6-1, , R-So , Bellevue Neb
DE94Andrew Zock Citra, ., Fr 250, 6-2, , , r., , Fla. 42Christian Hanson Senoia, ., Jr 235, 6-0, , r., , Ga.
LB 15 Ke en Standley oss, aW R-Sr 225, 5-11, , r.., ycr , Ga.
6 Marques Thomas Bessemer Sr., 225, 6-0, , , r., r, , Ala.
LB3 Isaac Dowling , Sr., 225, 5-9, , r., Snellville Ga.
46 Isaac 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
CB8 TJ 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.., 38 Juwan Johnson 195, 5-11, Jr
CB 11Dainsus Miller 170, 5-10, , , Jr
31 Myles We eston 175, 5-11, , R
Pos.No.Name Ht., Wt., Yr
, R-Fr r.., Winnsboro S.C T R-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. , ., R-So , Port Charlotte Fla. r r.., Hometown
PK15 Ewan Johnson 180, 5-10, , , R
49 Neal Farris Fr 175, 6-0, , , r.
T ., R-So , Knoxville, e enn. r, ., , Clover, S.C
P 16 Nate Bracke ett 221, 6-4, R-J
49 Neal Farris Fr 175, 6-0, , r. KR 3 Devontae Houston 163, 5-10, , R
12 Ephraim Floyd 190, 5-10, , , J
PR19
Xavier Gaillerdetz 204, 6-0, , R-
T ., Jr r., Rockwood, e enn. r, ., , Clover, S.C Roanok ., R-Jr r., e , Ala. Beach, V r r.., e ero , Fla. , So., , Quebec Canada
1 Justin Franklin 160, 5-8, , , R-J
LS38 Brock Winstead 234, 6-3, , R-
37 Hayden Ross Fr 175, 6-1, , r.
HOL16 Nate Bracke ett 221, 6-4, R-J
, ., Jr r., Douglasville Ga. Raleigh, ., Fr r., , N C , Tiger ., r, Ga.
6 Gino English 195, 6-1, , Gr
T ., Jr r., Rockwood, e enn. Winter Park, r r.., Fla.
that MU
opponent on Homecoming.
mes pla
N
ember since pus in
13, , and has won threendar’’s s 11th month heading into the Buccaneers and will bring a two-game series win , y ’ eak into toda str a ’s s game including a dominant 24-6 victory enn.,T ohnson City in J , e , last season. The Bears have also posted a win in each of the last two meetings with the e Star Stadium, Bucs at Fiv including a 55-33 triumph in y All f 2022. foour ETSUwins in the series have come b seven points or less, including a trio of contests that were dey cided b a field goal
u T East e ennessee State is 5-3 under the direction of firstT ye ear head coach r re Lamb who took over the reins of the -Wdner program in November after leading Gar r e ebb to a 24-23 mark from 2019-23. The Buccaneers returned 10
5 def , ters (5 off star feense feense) and nine other letterwinners ear’ off last y ’s s squad that posted a 3-8 clip and a seventhplace finish in the Southern Conffeerence. Among the reers that rak y e 11 pla turners ar e e ed in preseason ence r all-conffeer reecognition from either the SoCon coaches including lineback , or Phil Steele e er William McRainey who also picke ed up preseason all-America laurels.
u cer has a Mer veraged 36.4 points per game ov retches all the wa rent 7-game home win streak that str y 21, d on Oct offW back to a 31-17 victor y over o foor 2023 The Bears have outscored opponents by an average of w and ha ein, er that 7-game sk 19.7 points an outing ov e , ave on ll b t i ti MU h t
er its cur Sophomor W against e attempts. ecor r rd d for ern Caro goal attem versions. native w (Devin Fo ing.
u The O
The performance matched a 2-year-o points scored by kicking
eek’ ’s game n field goal ld school
eek, lina this w connecting on all three o or oing 5-f mpts, while also g for-5 on point-a eer high f The 14 points is a car foor the P ear ho also matched a 2-y ye r-old schoo 2022) f d, lser at Samffoor , foor points scored
f his field after conace, Fla., l record yb k-
y ’ toda a ’s s contest at Five Sta games in November last se f , -Wdner over Gar e ebb foor t season (modern era) in 20
u cer has rak Mer e ed in at l six of the first nine weeks terback DJ Smith (off quar fe e f feensive) and punter John ha ave been crowned twice added two more to the Dwayne McGee was nam and Brayden Manley cash k h Th 10 ar Stadium. The Bears won three y including a pla ason, o off triumph the first time since the inaugural 013.
he w we ee honors. e ee d (4) f single season recor fo o 2020-21 squad, and subseq 2023 editions of the Oran
y a east one league weekl ward in egular season, of the r including e), ensiv , cornerback TJ Moore (deMcConnell (special teams) who e with weekly honors. The Bears eir total this past week when e pla med offfeensiv yer of the week, e pla ed in on deffeensiv yer of the y a ekl ward winners surpasses the y or such honors established b the y y quentl matched b the 2022 and nge & Black
e y wo or more scores six times as w has outed opponents 44 8-18 0 in f scor foour games at Five Star Stadium this season, while also amassing more than 464 yards of total offfeense per game
u y-rank The Bears moved to 3-0 against nationall e ed opponents this season with a 44-34 win over then-No 24 and ha eek, We estern Carolina last w ave now posted wins in op 25 f T f foour of their last five contests against o fooes dating W back to a 45-38 victor y at then-No 10 e estern Carolina T MU’ 2023. 28, on Oct. , ’s s three o op 25 victories this season is the most f foor the program since it went 3-1 against such f fooes during the Spring 2021 campaign.The Bears faced six oes during the 2017 campaign ed f y-rank nationall e fo including
u Mercer is 12-23 over the last decade against nationallyincluding a 12-19 mark against rank ed opponents, ranke , e ed T FCS opponents. . Seven of the Bears’ 11 wins against o op ya om Macon (7-12 a ya come a oes ha 25 FCS f fo ave w fr w vs. FCS), , while the Orange & Black has also posted a quartet T op 10-rank T of wins against o e ed FCS opponents (4-6 vs. o op d (7 of 19) of MU’ 10). Just more than one-thir ’s s losses to n or f p 25 FCS competition ha To ave come by seve fe ewer points.
Orange & Black is 4-7 in Homecoming gam kick
eturned to campus in time f foor the 2013 ptured two of its last three Homecomin y ’ to toda ’s s matchup with the Buccaneers
mes since f foootball r but has ca heading in is 1-1 aga ha span, , avi
T inst East e ennessee State in such games a ng tangled with the Bucs on Homecomin
season, ng games s. Mercer amid that ng in both
u The announced attend nessed Mercer’s 38-21 vi tember 21 marke ed the 29 ye ear history of Five Star S walk ke ed through the gates its opening in 2013. The B of capacity) fans across ranke ed among NCAA FC dance nine times over th
the demic-riddled 2020-Spring Orange & Black rank 12th,
ance of 10,489 people that witctor y over The Citadel on Sep9th sellout crro owd in the 11-plus tadum Nearly 625,000 fans have cer’ of Merrc ’s s home stadium since a ears ha ave veraged 9,328 (91.5% 67 games in the facility MU has CS’’s s top-30 leaders in total attenears, he last 12 ye including a panng 2021 season that sa aw the ,y h, , nationall in total attendance
u Sophomore Reice Griffith contributed better than 31
Dw wayne M Th i campaign, , f foour FCS opponents.
W cer ’ percent of Mer ’s s scoring output in the
c *
CARO .W * 9 .voN
* FURMAN 16 .voN
VMI * at 23 v No
ence ( feer * = Southern Conf
Statistics eamTe 2024
ardageYa Rushing oints per game P Scoring
10/17/2015 Macon ,W 52-0
11/5/2016 Macon ,W 21-13 )
9/23/2017 T ohnson City J , e enn. L, 26-23 (OT
11/3/2018 Macon L, 21-18
11/16/2019 T ohnson City J , e enn L, 38-33
4/10/2021Macon ,W 21-13
11/20/2021 T ohnson City J , e enn. L, 38-35
10/15/2022 Macon ,W 55-33
10/7/2023 T ohnson City J , e enn ,W 24-6
( cer leads, cervs. Mer . ETSU (Mer 5-4)
In Macon: 4-1
T In Johnson City y, e enn.: 1-3
Decided By 3 Points Or Less: 0-3
Decided By 7 Points Or Less: 0-4
Biggest Win: 52-0 (2015)
Biggest Loss: 38-33 (2019)
Current Streak: W2
Last 10 Games: 5-4
erage per game Av feense To otal Off TDs passing erage per game Av -Att.-Int. Comp ardageYa Passing TDs rushing erage per game Av erage per rush Av
ersionsv wn Con d Do 3r
2
6-2 245 So. est Cra W . , Va anceboro N.C / e aven HS
6-1 275 Jr. , Charlotte N.C / Stuar t Cramer HS
6-2 200 Jr. Miss. ood, Greenw , / Jones College
6-3 210 R-Fr r. Lexington, , S C / Duke
6-1 195 Sr. Ga. Mableton, , / Whitefield Academy
6-0 225 Sr. Ala. Bessemerr, , . / McAdor y HS
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
1
1
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
ker WilsonDL 5-11 230R-So.Spr
91 Jordan SwainDL 6-3290 R-Srr.
92 y Cr Sull ro oker K 6-0 180 R-Fr r. Aubur
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 e Backs), ega (Def V Line), , Christopher e feensiv Bennett Houston (O Analyst).
6
6
(Hough HS)
5-8 160 R-Jrr. -Wdner Ga. , Douglasville (Gar r e ebb)
6-3210So. -Wdner Ga. olkston, F , (Gar r e ebb)
5-11185 Jrr. -Wdner Ga. , Thomasville (Gar r e ebb)
6-0 178 Jrr. -Wdner Ga. Dalton, , (Gar r e ebb)
6-11955th -Wdner Fla. Winter Park, (Gar r e ebb)
6-2 185 R-Srr. . T Memphis, , e enn.(Mercer)
6-0203 Srr. Ga. Dou lasville Alexander HS) )
6-1 210 Jrr. -Wdner Ga. , Thomasville (Gar e ebb)
6-1175 Fr r. enn.T Brentwood, e (Brentwood HS)
6-2265R-So. Ga. , Suwanee (Collins Hill HS)
6-3 195R-So. -Wdner La. w Orleans, Ne , (Gar r e ebb)
6-3240 R-Jrr. , Charlotte N.C Limestone)
6-0 185 Fr r. ennT Jonesborroough, e (Clinton HS)
LeeDB6-0 167 Fr r. enn.T Chattanooga, e (Brainerd HS) 17 Jr Marlon A Ay yers r. DB5-11163So. Ga. oodstock, Wo (Clark Atlanta
20 T Tyywan Royal DB6-0 180 R-Fr r. -Wdner Ga. cross, Nor ro , (Gar r e ebb)
21 Ra ay ConeyLB6-3218So. Fairfield, Ohio (Fairfield HS)
22 Nick Hunter LB6-5218 R-Jrr. -Wdner Ga. Atlanta, , (Gar r e ebb)
23 Khamran Laborn WR5-9 167 R-Jrr. . V olk, Norffo a a.(Buffalo)
24Andrew HandDB6-1180 Fr r. Ga oodstock, Wo (River Rid e HS) )
29 a Elijah T y ylor LB6-2212So. Ala Gadsden, (Gadsden City HS)
30Quinton BrandonP6-0 160 Fr r. enn.T Greeneville, e (Greeneville HS)
31Adrian JohnsonRB6-0244 R-Jrr. enn.T Hendersonville, e (Beech HS)
33Dre Delinois LB6-1 220So. enn.T Chattanooga, e (McCallie HS)
35 eremiah Curr LB5-11 205 Fr r. Bluffton, , S.C (Bluffton HS)
We r- (Gar a. dne -W opsail HS) To . N.C , d, ( (Corbin HS) y Ky , bin, K oup County HS) r oll HS) r ohn Car (J a. (Science Hill HS) n. nn. ) -Wdner a. (Gar r e ebb) erson Cty (Jefffe HS) enn.Te . (Clinton HS) eff Thomas J feerson) er, r, S.C (Clover HS rdinal Gibbons HS) rden, , N.C (Butler) (PatrickHenr yHS)
k H y H
60 Micah SumpterOL 6-4 300 Fr r.
61 Gabe ThompsonOL 6-3310 R-Srr.
64 Braxton Shipp OL 6-3290 R-Jrr.
65 Miada JonesOL 6-0296So.
74 Ja ay WadeOL 6-1 278So.
75Jack HoodOL 6-6255 Fr r.
77 JaQuan AdamsOL 6-5290R-So.
79 Mitchell DunlapOL 6-5265 Fr r. .
80 ordan Anderson WR6-3 196 Fr r.
87 Ryan MechleyWR5-10 175 R-F
Ja avon Richardson WR5-111
F
ker Self WR6-2 190 R-Srr. D 90Dailen HowardDL 6-1 260So. Ath 91 Brenden LeBlancDL 6-0262So.
J 92 59 aT y ylor McClure LB6-1 210 Fr r. .
98 Jai BarnesDL 6-2300 Jrr.
99 Mason Ball DL 6-4 253 Fr r. . El
Head Coach: , Tr re Lamb 1 t ech,T Season (Te ennessee e , 2013)
Associate Head Coach: don (Def Josh Rear feensive Coordinato
Assistant Head Coach: y (Def Hakim Gra a feensive Line)
Assistant Coaches: o (Off oe Scelf J fo feensive Coordinator/Off ers), W K eams/Tight Ends), Te , evin olthausen (Lineback , Dominique D terbacks), T McClain (Wide Receivers),Tyyler Dell (Quar , Cam Hane Linebackers).