Mercer Lands 13 On Phil Steele All-SoCon Teams

MACON, Ga. – Mercer Football saw 13 student-athletes earn 15 awards as the 2021 Phil Steele All-SoCon Team was announced on Tuesday.

Jason Poe and Solomon Zubairu headlined the list of recipients, both earning first team honors.

DL Solomon Zubairu | First Team
Solomon Zubairu wreaked havoc on opposing offenses and was one of the best players in the Southern Conference at generating sacks. The Lawrenceville, Georgia native was fifth in the conference with five sacks on the season. Zubairu totaled 34 tackles on the season, including 5.5 tackles for loss and a team high of five quarterback hurries.

OL Jason Poe | First Team
Jason Poe was a key member of the Bears' offensive line that that opened lanes for the third-best rushing offense in the Southern Conference. Mercer's offense amassed 2,092 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns this season, averaging 209.2 yards per game. Poe claimed the ninth spot for Interior Offensive Line on the PFF 2022 NFL draft rankings.

DB Lance Wise | Second Team
Lance Wise proved to be a player that opposing offenses constantly had to know the location of on the field. Wise had the tremendous ability to make big plays in all facets of the game. The Marietta, Georgia native finished the season with 59 tackles to rank 14^th in the conference, including a team high of 33 solo stops. He recorded double digit tackles in a pair of games, including a season high of 13 in the SoCon championship matchup with ETSU. Wise solidified himself as one of the best ball hawks in the SoCon, intercepting three passes on the season, one of which he returned 34 yards for a touchdown against the Citadel and another that he returned 56 yards to the one-yard line against Western Carolina. He also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble this season. Wise was named SoCon player of the week twice this year.

RB Fred Davis | Second Team
Fred Davis gave opposing defensive fits with his ability to find the end zone. His 14 rushing touchdowns this season was second in the SoCon and seventh in the FCS. In total, the Fortson, Georgia native rushed for 847 yards, averaging 84.7 yards per game. Davis had his breakout performance against Samford where he rushed for school records of 276 yards and five touchdowns, earning himself Stats Perform FCS Player of the Week and SoCon Player of the Week honors. He became just the 15^th FCS player over the last 25 years to rush for over 275 yards and have five or more touchdowns in the same game. Davis rushed for multiple touchdowns in five different games this season.

DL Chris Hill | Third Team
Chris Hill gave offensives lines fits all season. The Statesboro, Georgia native had 4.5 tackles for loss that accumulated 19 yards. He boasted three sacks on the season, 12^th most in the Southern Conference. In total, Hill had 20 tackles on the year, with 13 of those being solo tackles. He is also credited with a fumble recovery.

WR Ty James | Third Team
Ty James was one of Mercer's most explosive weapons all season on the offensive end. The sophomore totaled 26 catches for 611 yards and seven touchdowns on the season. He set a school record in the final game of the season against ETSU with 224 yards receiving off of eight catches. He also posted the third most receiving yards in a game in school history against Wofford with 153.

OL John Harris | Third Team
John Harris was another key member of the Bears' offensive line that that opened lanes for the third-best rushing offense in the Southern Conference. Mercer's offense amassed 2,092 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns this season, averaging 209.2 yards per game.

QB Fred Payton | Fourth Team
The signal caller for the Bears earned fourth team honors for his performance during the season. He accumulated 1,661 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air. He tossed for an impressive 375 yards and two touchdowns against ETSU and 335 yards and three touchdowns against Wofford.

Devron Harper | WR Fourth Team | AP Third Team | PR Fourth Team
Devron Harper did it all for the Bears, earning honors as a receiver, all purpose, and a punt returner. As a receiver, Harper had 24 catches for 393 yards on the season with a long of 60 yards. On punt returning duties, he totaled seven returns for 85 yards. He had a season long return of 52 yards against The Citadel.

LB Isaac Dowling | Fourth Team
Isaac Dowling was consistently an impact player on defense all year long. Dowling posted a team high of 73 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss this season. He recorded double digit tackles in three games with his season high of 13 coming against ETSU.

LB Ken Standley | Fourth Team
Ken Standley was a force for the defensive unit. His 70 tackles were second on the team and his 7.5 tackles for loss tied for the team lead. The Waycross, Georgia native had his season high of 13 tackles in the final game of the season. Standley also recovered an impressive three fumbles on the year.

DB Yahsyn McKee | Fourth Team
Yahsyn McKee consistently locked down the top players for the opposing team this season. The Stockbridge, Georgia native recorded 31 tackles and two tackles for loss. He caused two turnovers this season, forcing a fumble and intercepting a pass, as well as blocking a kick.

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Mercer Lands 13 On Phil Steele All-SoCon Teams

Players Mentioned

Fred Davis

Isaac Dowling

Devron Harper

John Harris

Chris Hill

Ty James

Yahsyn McKee

Fred Payton

Jason Poe

Ken Standley

Lance Wise Jr.

Solomon Zubairu

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