BEARS SPOTLIGHT
#2 MYLES REDDING
POSITION: Safety
HOMETOWN: Mableton, Ga.
TWITTER: @MylesTooNice
MAJOR: Sports Marketing & Analytics
CAREER NOTES:
• Has played in 41 career games (active streak of 32 consecutive games)
• 167 career tackles (101 solo), 8 interceptions, 11 pass break-ups
• Ranks third (8) on Mercer’s all-time interceptions chart
• Tallied career-best 14 tackles as a sophomore against ETSU
• 2023, 2024 Preseason All-Southern Conference (coaches)
• 2023 All-Southern Conference
• 2024: 31 tackles (18 solo), 5 interceptions, 2 pass break-ups
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MERCER MEMORY?
“Winning the playoff game against Gardner-Webb last year two days after Thanksgiving. That was our first time playing during the holidays, and it gave our entire team a sense of pride because not many teams are still playing that late in the year.”
OTHER THAN FOOTBALL, WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT YOU LIKE DOING THAT YOU’RE GOOD AT?
“I enjoy playing basketball. It has been my favorite sport since I was a kid, and I’d like to say that I’m pretty good because I was a 1000-point scorer in high school and nobody on the team can guard me.”
AS A KID, WHAT WAS YOUR GO-TO SELECTION AT THE ICE CREAM TRUCK?
“I was either going to go with the SpongeBob Popsicle with the gumball eyes or the Choco Taco.”
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF 5 YEARS AGO?
“I was only 16 five years ago, but I would tell myself to stay positive, patient, and prayerful. It gets tough at times, but you’re built for the greatness that comes with it!”
WHAT ARE YOUR BEST TIPS FOR GROWING A GREAT BEARD?
“Stay hydrated, and also keep it moisturized and combed out.”
WHEN THE BEARS HA MERCER OFFENSE
Pos.No.Name
X7 Ke endallHarris
ll Har d, ., -F 200, -1, , r., ,
18 Adjatay Dabbs ., R-Fr 170, 6-0, , , r., Greeneville
LT74Amarii Atchison ., R-Fr 300, 6-8, , , r., Douglasvill
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
C64 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.
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
WESTERN CAROLINA DEFENSE
Pos.No.Name Yr Ht., Wt., r.., Hometown
DE11 Caleb Fisher , Decatur ., R-Jr 230, 6-3, , , r., r, Ga
30Richard Garrett , 240, 6-4, , R-So Jacksonvill
DT19 Chris Morgan Maiden, Sr., 270, 6-0, , , r., , N C
10 Ta ahjae Mullix vington, ., Jr 270, 6-3, r., Co , Ga
DT 8 Jaquarius Guinn r, Sr., 290, 6-2, , r., Clover, S.C
91 o Nosik Ug e ., R-Jr 295, 6-2, , r., South Holla
B AND 6Curtis Fann , ., R-Sr 255, 6-3, , , r., Stillmore G
2 Micah Nelson ,y ., R-Sr 265, 603, , , r., Murph N
WLB5 Hay yward McQueen ., Jr 195, 6-1, , r., Fort Lauderda
15 Antoine Williams ., R-Jr 200, 5-10, , , r., Birmingham
MLB 18 on T Antarr u urner ., 225, 6-2, , R-So , Kannapolis,
20 We esley Scott upiter, Gr., 210, 6-0, , r., J r, Fla.
NICK 0 Ke en Moore Miami, ., 160, 5-10, , R-So , , Fla.
CB
12 Amarian Robinson on, Gr 170, 5-10, , , r.., Akr , Ohio
16 Jordy Lower y ,w ., 190, 5-11, , R-So , Bar to Fla.
13 Quez Royal , Fa ., R-Sr 175, 6-1, , r., yetteville N.C
FS21 Bo Simpson-Nealy Altamonte Springs, R-Fr 180, 5-10, , , r.., , Fla.
3 Samaurie Duke es Miami, ., Jr 185, 5-10, , , r., , Fla.
ROVE1Mateo Sudipo ompano Beach, ., R-Sr 210, 6-1, , r., P , Fla.
29Jhamari Pierre-Louis y Beach, Delra ., 190, 5-11, , R-So , a , Fla.
CB 4 CJ Williams Sr., 170, 5-10, , , r., Gallion, Ala.
27 Hasaan Syk ke es er, uck T Fr 175, 6-0, , , r.., u Ga.
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.
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
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
AMOUNTS HA
WESTERN CAROLINA OFFENSE
Pos.No.Name
N.C
ett Gra Br ay W er V Jr 300, 6-3, r.., a ancouv r, , a ash.
LG 73 Xavier Graham , Sr., 330, 6-2, , r., Niceville Fla.
78 Evan Carney T ., 290, 6-3, , , R-So , Nashville , e enn.
C 72 Blake Whitmore Raleigh, ., R-Sr 310, 6-2, , , r., , N.C
62 yton Da Pe vis , ., 320, 6-2, , , R-So , Mooresville N.C .
RG 75Caleb Carter , ., R-Jr 310, 6-3, , , r., Jacksonville N.C
53 Zach Wa atson oss, aW R-Fr 300, 6-1, , r.., ycr , Ga.
RT 66 Derek Simmons , Sr., 325, 6-6, , , r., Jacksonville Fla.
52 Manasseh Ripert eland, Lak ., Jr 320, 6-4, r., , Fla.
TE 87 e Y Jak o oung ,w axha W 240, 6-3, , R-So., a N.C
85 David Hulber t , ., R-Fr 6-4 ,220, , r., Charlotte N.C .
WR0 AJ Colombo ,w axha W Jr 170, 5-8, , , r.., a N.C
18 Isaiah Johnson alton Beach, W ., Fr 180, 6-0, , , r., Fort , Fla.
WR 4 e T De’Andr a amarez wn, ., 165, 5-11, , R-So , Overto , Fla.
QB
15 Jai Boyd , R-Fr 175, 6-2, , , r.., Winnsboro S.C
9 Cole Gonzales Ocala, ., Jr 195, 6-0, r., , Fla.
8 on Dick Ta ar e ens Miami, ., R-Fr 180, 5-11, , r., , Fla.
RB2Branson Adams , ., Jr 190, 5-9, r., Greensboro N.C
5 Jalynn Williams etersburg, St. ., R-Sr 210, 5-10, , , r., P , Fla.
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
98Chris 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.
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
WESTERN CAROLINA SPECIALISTS
, -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. , ., -So , Port Charlotte Fla.
Pos.No.Name Ht., Wt., Yr
PK46Paxton Roberston Sr 215, 6-0, , , r.
96Christian Lower y 185, 5-11, , J
P 95Stephen Brantley 220, 6-2, , So
63 Maddox Cowart Fr 190, 6-2, , r.
KR0 AJ Colombo Jr 170, 5-8, r..,
3Calvin Jones 185, 5-10, , PR0 AJ Colombo Jr 170, 5-8, , , r.., 3Calvin Jones 185, 5-10, , ,
LS 48Colby Cross 230, 6-0, , , R-
32 Walter Gibson 200, 5-11, , HOL95Stephen Brantley 220, 6-2, , So
63 Maddox Cowart Fr 190, 6-2, , r.
r r.., Hometown T ., , Knoxville, e enn. r r., Acworth, Ga. Pilot Mountain, o., , , N.C . ampa,T ., a , Fla. ,w axha W , a N.C , est City ., R-Jr r., For N.C . ,w axha W , a N.C , est City ., R-Jr r., For N.C , Sr., r., Mooresville N.C Apex, R-Srr.., N C Pilot Mountain, o., , , N.C ampa,T ., a , Fla.
rccer BEARS . Car W Weestern roolin
202 Mer vs. 4 MERCER BEARS F
na CATATTAAMOUNTS
Stadi
um • Macon, Ga.
cer ’
back to the 2014 season – Mer ’s s first as a member of the er Southern Conffereence The Catamounts opened the series 2014, 18, with a 35-21 win in Macon on Oct. , and then used the f 24-21, wn to beat the Bears, a last-minute touchdo fo olSince that meeting, , lowing season in Cullowhee N.C , hocer has a , r, r weve Mer veraged more than 44 points per game and has scor (44.3) in the series, , reed 45 or more points in five of the last six matchups.
u , ters (5 off olina r estern Car We ro reeturned 11 star feense 6 deear’ ense) and 31 other letterwinners off of last y f fe e ’s s squad that turned in a 7-4 clip and a f foourth-place finish in the final T Southern Conffeerence standings. e en Catamounts were
All-Southern Conf named to the Preseason feerence squad in including pr y, Januar reeseason all-American quarterback Cole y e pla ed up national off Gonzales who picke feensiv e er of the wing f eek accolades on Monda we ay after thro foor 620 yards eek’ (7th-most in FCS history) in last w ’s s 55-20 home win over Furman.
u eek’ 14 in this w . Mercer slipped seven spots to No e ’s s Stats op 25, T Perf Pe foorm FCS o , while also dipping 10 spots to No 17 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS olina check estern Car W Coaches P Po oll e ro e ed back into the nas r y ’ da y f tional rankings on Monda fo ollowing Satur a ’s roout of visiting Furman.The Catamounts are listed in the No 24 position 25 T f i th Stt P FCS d ti t i
op 25, erf in the Stats Pe foorm o , and continue o receive FCS Coaches P otes f v foor consideration in the AFCA Po oll
u Merrccer is now 46-20 (.697) all-time in Five Star Stadium er Princeton, W f fo ollowing its e eek 7 win ov including a 20-4 The Bears ha (.833) clip since the 2019 campaign. ave turned in at least f foour wins inside their home stadium in each of the ars, our y last f fo e , and have now captured 13 of their last 15 eak at home) f ent 6-game win str home games (curr re fo ollowing the 34-7 triumph over the Tigers on October 12.
u Mercer is 11-23 over the last decade against nationallyincluding an 11-19 mark against rank ed opponents, ranke , e ed T FCS opponents Seven of the Bears’ 11wins against o op 25
opponents. Bears 11 w vs. ya om Macon (7-12 a ya come a oes ha FCS f fo ave w fr w FCS), while the Orange & Black has also posted a quartet of wins op 10). T op 10-rank T against o e ed FCS opponents (4-6 vs o Just T d (7 of 19) of MU’ morre e than one-thir ’s s losses to o op 25 FCS w en or f y competition ha ave come b sev fe e e er points.The Bears ee of their last f e ha av also pulled out a win in thr foour matchups y-rank against nationall e ed competition.
u The Orange & Black is 23-22 (.511) over the last decade s 10th month, in the calendar’’s , but the program has logged cer has w 11 of those victories since 2020. Mer o on 11 of its last 15 October matchups, including a 6-2 clip at Five Star The Bears ha Stadium acrrooss that span. ave also captured six
pp oad outings in October of their last eight r ro
Senior My loss at Sam former sec char t for s u Two ind y ’ urda ’s s se used a 5-t list f foor to MU stand er K backe e time list f fo o stops aga
les Redding picked off a pair of passes in
ondar y mates TJ Moore and L
ce Wise a ingle season interceptions (5)
ast week’ ’s rrent and top MU’ ’s
r e benchmarks w ensiv dividual deffe e ere e eclips etback at Samffoord as senior Isaac Dowl atop the pr ackle outing to move roogram ’ otal tackles – a record previously held by f ,y (2013-16). W T out Tyyler a ard Similarl fe el n Standley took over the top spot on Me y r unassisted (solo) tackles b registering ainst the Bulldogs.
W ackles (thr T T ecor rd d: otal ro ough e eek 8) wling (2020-pr Isaac Do reesent) yler W T Ty a ard(2013-16) y (2019-pr en Standle Ke reesent)
Mercer bo d f i
ed in Sating (335) ’s s all-time f foormer low linecer ’ errc ’s s allf foour solo
e ing a 10-month-old school 2024 campaign. Last week on the single-season inter mate Myles Redding recor tions of the season as well cer’ uite the showing in Mer ’s
1 11Lance Wise (2 2.9 TJ Moore (20 3.8 Myles Redding
e eek 8) 2019-23) 020-Prreesent) (2021-Present) W tions (thr ro ough e eek 8) 2019-23) 20-Prreesent) (2021-Present)
u cer has rak Merrc e ed in at five of the first eight week terback DJ Smith (off quar fe e f) d Jh M
f feensive) and punter John c been crro owned twice with award winners surpasses such honors established y sequently matched b the 2 ange & Black
y a least one league we eekl ward in egular season, s of the r including TJ Moor e), ensiv , cornerback re e (decConnell (special teams) who ha ave The eight w we eekly honors. eekly d (4) f the single season recor foor the 2020-21 squad, yb , and subr-
2022 and 2023 editions of the Or ) g ( W ti
u The announced attend cer ’ nessed Mer ’s s 38-21 vi tember 21 marke ed the 29th history of Five Star Stadum ough the gates of Mer thrro rcce a The Bears ha in 2013. ave fans across 65 games in th
AA FCS’ NC ’s s top-30 leade ears, er the last 12 y ov inc Spring 2021 season that s ,y nationall in total attendan
ance of 10,489 people that witctory over The Citadel on Sepd in the 11-plus y h sellout crro ow e ear walk 625,000 fans ha y m. Nearl ave ke ed er’’s s home stadium since its opening veraged 9,354 (91 7% of capacity) MU has rank y he facilit e ed among ers in total attendance nine times cluding a pandemic-riddled 2020aw the Orange & Black rank 12th, nce.
BEARS FOOTBALL
10/18/2014Macon L, 35-21
10/10/2015 , Cullowhee N.C L, 24-21
10/15/2016 Macon ,W 38-24
11/11/2017 , Cullowhee N.C . ,W 35-33
10/20/2018 Macon ,W 59-46
8/31/2019 , Cullowhee N.C ,W 49-27
3/20/2021Macon ,W 45-28
10/9/2021 , Cullowhee N.C . ,W 34-24
10/8/2022 Macon ,W 49-6
10/28/2023 , Cullowhee N.C ,W 45-38
W Mercer vs. e estern Carolina...
In Macon: 4-1
, In Cullowhee N.C .: 4-1
Decided By 3 Points Or Less: 1-1
Decided By 7 Points Or Less: 2-1
Biggest Win: 49-6 (2022)
Biggest Loss: 35-21 (2014)
Current Streak: W8
Last 10 Games: 8-2
Te at East * 9 v No ATTAAN * CHATT 2 .voN c * at #14 Mer 26 Oct. * at Furman 19 . Oct. TA * THE CIT 12 . Oct. OFFOR * W 5
ardageYa Rushing oints per game P Scoring Statistics eamTe 2024 ence ( feer * = Southern Conf foord * at Samf 23 v No * VMI 16 .voN
-Att.-Int. Comp ardageYa Passing TDs rushing erage per game Av erage per rush Av
TDs passing erage per game Av
Fumbles-lost erage per game Av feense To otal Off
ersionsv wn Con d Do 3r
v wn Con d Do 3r
Sac
s
y-Y
Y
2
CER NUMERICAL ROSTER
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).
TERN CAROLINA NUMERICAL
xton Robertson K 6-0215 Srr. . Knox
Blue Monroe LB6-1 230R-So. C
8Colby Cross LS6-0230 R-Srr. M 49Corbin ShirleyK
5
5
6-1 200 Jrr. Fla. , Fort Lauderdale / TRU Prep Academy
5-10 175R-So. Fla. est Palm Beach,
6
5
6-3270 Jrr. W Ga. vington, Co , / e estern Illinois
6
6-3230 R-Jrr. Ga. Decatur, r, / Columbia HS
5-10 180 R
Bennett Judy QB6-3200 R-Fr r. , Simpsonville S.C / Hillcrest HS
19 Isaac LeeQB6-3 175 Fr r. y M / Ja Concord, , N.C ay Robinson HS 20Jalen IbrahimRB5-9 190So. Franklinton, , N.C / Louisburg
20 We esley Scott LB6-0215 Grr. T Fla. Jupiter, r, / u usculum
21 Jaiden BondRB5-9 185 R-Jrr. . W . , Boone N.C / a atagua HS
21 Bo Sim son-Neal DB5-10 180 R-Fr r. Fla Altamonte Springs, , / Seminole HS
ett
25 Nicholas Kilpatrick CB6-0 180 Fr r. Fla. , Jacksonville / William Raines HS
26 Na ’Ko oma Simpson-Nealy S5-10 165 Fr r. Fla. Altamonte Springs, , / Seminole HS
27 Joshua CollinsRB6-1 200 Fr r. , yson City Br N.C / Swain County HS
27Hasaan SykesCB6-0 175 Fr r. T Ga. er, Tu uck r, / u ucker HS
28 el T Mark ownsendRB5-8 185 R-Fr r. Columbia, , S.C / A.C Flora HS
83 Austin Cunningham WR6-0 190 Fr r. . We
84 Brandon Poteat WR5-10 165 Jrr. H
85 Da avid Hulber t TE 6-4 240 R-Fr r. Charlot
86 Bra ayden Blackmon TE 6-3250 R-Jrr.
87
92 Va anier Baptiste III DL 6-3270 Fr r.
93 Adrian StoneDL 6-4 290 Fr r. Fort
94 Jaden MeeksDL 6-1 215 Fr r. Char
95Stephen Brantley P6-2220So.P
96Christian Lower yK 5-11185 Jrr. Acwo
97 Caleb BradffoordDL 6-1 265 R-Jrr.
98Jackson Hensley DL 6-4 260 Fr r.
99Jordan Cardentey DL 6-0265 Fr r.
Head Coach: erwin Bell, K 4th Season (Florida, 1987)
Assistant Coaches: dinator), y Odom (Def Jerr feensive Coor , Ryla Brian Cochran (Def eams),T Cody Edwards (Special e , feensive Lin eties), Malik Goodman (Saf ers), McGruder (Wide Receiv , fe , Jeremy Rudi Small (Running Backs), (Cornerbacks), , Jeff Burger (Qualit ol), ol), Contr , Ethan Harris (Quality Contr , Evan Dvorchik (Qualit
