Mercer Football: 2023 National Signing Day
12/21/2022 9:22:00 PM | Football
Mercer signs 15 players to its 2023 recruiting class
MACON, Ga. - The Mercer football team officially welcomed 15 members to its 2023 class after they signed their National Letters of Intent from Early National Signing Day on Dec. 21, 2022. until National Signing Day on Feb. 1, 2022.
The Bears have officially received Letters of Intent from 15 student-athletes in their 2023 class. Below is a list of all 15 student-athletes who are officially members of the Mercer football 2023 recruiting class.
Brayden Smith | WR | Macon, Ga. | Tattnall Square Academy
Had over 1,500 all-purpose yards his senior season. His junior year he had 12 touchdowns in 10 games.
Coach Harris on Brayden Smith
"Brayden is a local kid that brings versatility to our room. This guy is a jack of all trades. He can run the ball out of the backfield, and line up in the slot and run routes. Brayden fits exactly what we are looking for in the skill position and can also help us in the return game."
Griffith was named All-Area First Team as a punter and kicker following his junior and senior seasons at Pace High School. Earned a spot on the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Classic Game. Converted 12-of-16 field goals over his junior and senior seasons. Made a season-long 49-yard field goal his senior season. Averaged 42 yards per punt to lead all punters in the Pensacola, Florida area.
Kody Arnold | P | Brunswick, Ga. | Glynn Academy HS
Arnold finished his senior season averaging 41.8 yards per punt. He had 25 of his 38 punts inside the opponents 20-yard line. Named to the All-912 Team as a punter.
Julian Fox | LB | Cordele, Ga. | Cordele HS
A two-time All-State player, Fox was named Georgia Region 1-AAA Player of the Year and the Crisp County Defensive Player of the Year his senior season. He was also named Defensive Player of the Game at the 2022 Georgia Elite Classic All-Star Game. He finished his high school career with 325 tackles, 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
Coach Taylor on Julian Fox
"Julian will come in and be a great addition to our LB room. He brings good instincts, high football IQ and toughness. I'm excited about his future as a Bear."
Watkins played both sides of the ball for Fairfield Central, as a wide receiver and defensive back. He finished his senior season with 55 tackles, two interceptions, 633 receiving yards, 1,017 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns. Named to South Carolina AA All-State team.
Coach Adams on Watkins
"Donovan is an extremely explosive athlete who is capable of playing multiple positions all over the field like he did in high school. He provides the toughness and competitiveness that will allow him to compete early in our secondary. He should also give our return game a boost with his ability to catch punts and kickoffs. Donovan brings a high level of confidence into our program and should be a tremendous addition to our roster."
Sam Albee | TE | Roswell, Ga. | Fellowship Christian School
Albee was named Defensive Player of the Year for Class AA, Region 8 in Georgia. His senior season at Fellowship Christian School, Albee led the team with 17 sacks, 25 tackles for a loss and a pair of fumble recoveries. He finished second on the team with 72 total tackles, shared first with 40 solo stops and was tied for fourth with 32 assisted stops. He also recorded a safety and forced a fumble. On offense, Albee grabbed nine passes for 181 yards and ranked second on the squad with four TD passes.
Coach O'Brien on Sam Albee
"Sam is a long athletic tight end. He is going to be able to line up in the box and be a large physical presence. He is going to be a mismatch in the passing game. He has the mindset and attitude needed to dominate opponents and make a big difference at the tight end position."
Tyrell Coard | RB | Huntersville, N.C. | Cox Mill HS
Named to the North Carolina All-State Academic Team. Helped lead Cox Mill to its first playoff win since 2014 during his senior season in which he ran for three touchdowns and set the school record for career rushing touchdowns with 33. His senior season Coard ran for 468 yards on 91 carries for 5.1 yards per carry to go with nine rushing touchdowns.
Coach Jones on Tyrell Coard
"This kid is special! He's a 5'11, 205 lb kid with all the tools to be an elite back in this league one day. Tyrell is also graduating high school early with a 3.7 GPA! I can't wait to have this kid in Macon and start mentoring him!"
Adjatay Dabbs | WR | Greeneville, Tenn. | Greeneville HS
During his senior season Dabbs had 28 catches for 573 yards and seven touchdowns. Finished his high school career with 99 receptions for 1,828 yards and 22 receiving touchdowns. That all ranks top-5 in Greenville program history.
Coach Harris on Adjatay Dabbs
"Adjatay Dabbs is probably one of the smoothest players I have seen in a while. Everything he does seems effortless. He's another dynamic player that when he has the ball, good things happen. He fits what we do perfectly, and I think the ceiling is high."
Avery Ferris | OL | Auburn, Ala. | Auburn HS
Helped lead Auburn High School to the 7A State Title game his senior season.
Coach Bodine on Avery Ferris
"Avery has been a very good player on an excellent high school football team at Auburn High in Alabama. He is a physical presence. He run blocks and pass blocks well and knows how to compete for championships."
Walter Goggins | DL | Tuscumbia, Ala. | Deshler HS
Goggins was named First Team All-State in class 4-A in Alabama following his senior season. Helped lead Deshler High School to a 12-1 record his senior year.
Coach Long on Walter Goggins
"I am extremely excited about Walter. He is a very dynamic and athletic defensive lineman with long arms and natural play-making ability. He will be a dynamic defensive tackle and has a very high ceiling because of his athletic tools. Walter's best football is still ahead of him, and I expect him to improve exponentially as he learns our fundamentals and techniques."
Kendall Harris | WR | Concord, N.C. | Cox Mill HS
Harris was an All-State honorable mention his senior season and was named Specialist of the Year in the Greater Metro 4 Conference. His senior season Harris had 29 receptions for 332 yards and three receiving touchdowns. Harris was dangerous in the return game for Cox Mill as he had 15 kick returns for 431 yards, including a 93-yard return for a touchdown. Harris has also displayed his speed and athleticism in basketball and track and field. Before he got to Cox Mill, he was ranked nationally in the 800 and 1,600-meter events in track and field.
Coach Harris on Kendall Harris
"Kendall is the perfect fit for our team. He brings attitude, ability, and explosiveness to our team. Kendall is dynamic with the ball in his hands, and we plan on finding multiple ways to get him the ball. I am very appreciative to have him in our program."
Brayden Manley | DL | Vanceboro, N.C. | West Craven HS
Manley played numerous positions at West Craven. He helped lead West Craven to an undefeated season in conference play at 7-0. He was named Eastern Plains 2A Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Coach Long on Brayden Manley
"I'm thrilled to have Brayden joining us. He is a gifted and skilled athlete who has played QB, RB, WR, TE, and LB for his team. He has the athleticism to play these multiple positions while possessing impressive size that will translate well to the defensive line. Brayden has an extremely high ceiling because of his athleticism, ability to play skilled positions, and has only recently begun to blossom in the weight room. I expect Brayden to be a special defensive end in the future as he applies his athletic ability to executing our techniques and fundamentals."
Drew Moore | QB | Goose Creek, S.C. | Goose Creek HS
Moore was named South Carolina Region 6-AAAAA Player of the Year his senior season. Moore threw for over 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns in leading Goose Creek to its fourth consecutive region championship during his senior season. In his high school career, Moore accounted for over 7,000 yards of total offense and 83 touchdowns. He holds every passing record in Goose Creek program history.
Coach Salmon on Drew Moore
"Drew is a talented competitor. He has all the tools: arm strength, ball placement, quick hands and feet, smoothness, and the ability to extend an and make plays with his feet. His intangibles and leadership qualities are what we look for in our quarterbacks here at Mercer. Drew loves football and is a competitive guy and those qualities ooze out in every aspect of his game. We are super excited to have him here in Macon and be a guy to lead our offense and football team."
Demetri Robinson | OL | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Dodge City Community College
Robinson was named Honorable Mention All-Conference this past season at Dodge City.
Coach Bodine on Demetri Robinson
"Demetri is a really powerful guard who is athletic enough to pull and do anything we need him to do within our system. He comes from a great high school background. He has really been a physical presence in junior college."
Amarii Atchison | OL | Douglasville, Ga. | Alexander HS
Coach Bodine on Amarii Atchison
"Amarii is a guy who has been a basketball player most of his career and he just started playing football two years ago. Coached by Olten Downs at Alexander High School, he has really come on strong over the last two years. He is still only 17 and already 6'7" so we are very excited about his future as an offensive lineman.
For complete coverage of Mercer Football, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerFootball (Twitter), /MercerFootball (Facebook) and @MercerFootball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
The Bears have officially received Letters of Intent from 15 student-athletes in their 2023 class. Below is a list of all 15 student-athletes who are officially members of the Mercer football 2023 recruiting class.
Brayden Smith | WR | Macon, Ga. | Tattnall Square Academy
Had over 1,500 all-purpose yards his senior season. His junior year he had 12 touchdowns in 10 games.
Coach Harris on Brayden Smith
"Brayden is a local kid that brings versatility to our room. This guy is a jack of all trades. He can run the ball out of the backfield, and line up in the slot and run routes. Brayden fits exactly what we are looking for in the skill position and can also help us in the return game."
Reice Griffith | K | Pace, Fla. | Pace HSOfficially a Bear ✍🏽@BraydensmithTSA is staying home 🏡
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) February 1, 2023
WR | 6'0 | 175
📍Macon, GA
📚Tattnall Square Academy #RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/88MHHEedBr
Griffith was named All-Area First Team as a punter and kicker following his junior and senior seasons at Pace High School. Earned a spot on the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Classic Game. Converted 12-of-16 field goals over his junior and senior seasons. Made a season-long 49-yard field goal his senior season. Averaged 42 yards per punt to lead all punters in the Pensacola, Florida area.
First one of the day 💯@ReiceKicks is coming to Macon!
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) February 1, 2023
Kicker | 5'10 | 170
📍Pace, FL
📚Pace High School #RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/9L5fkf31ga
Kody Arnold | P | Brunswick, Ga. | Glynn Academy HS
Arnold finished his senior season averaging 41.8 yards per punt. He had 25 of his 38 punts inside the opponents 20-yard line. Named to the All-912 Team as a punter.
Welcome to Macon @KodyArnold_!
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) February 1, 2023
Punter | 5'10 | 170
📍Brunswick, GA
📚Glynn Academy High School #RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/542B5Jv2C0
Julian Fox | LB | Cordele, Ga. | Cordele HS
A two-time All-State player, Fox was named Georgia Region 1-AAA Player of the Year and the Crisp County Defensive Player of the Year his senior season. He was also named Defensive Player of the Game at the 2022 Georgia Elite Classic All-Star Game. He finished his high school career with 325 tackles, 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
Coach Taylor on Julian Fox
"Julian will come in and be a great addition to our LB room. He brings good instincts, high football IQ and toughness. I'm excited about his future as a Bear."
Donovan Waktins | DB | Winnsboro S.C. | Fairfield Central HS𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐫 ✍@officialfox25
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) December 30, 2022
LB | 6'0 | 195
📍Cordele, GA
📚Crisp County HS#RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/GEOgleqvbu
Watkins played both sides of the ball for Fairfield Central, as a wide receiver and defensive back. He finished his senior season with 55 tackles, two interceptions, 633 receiving yards, 1,017 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns. Named to South Carolina AA All-State team.
Coach Adams on Watkins
"Donovan is an extremely explosive athlete who is capable of playing multiple positions all over the field like he did in high school. He provides the toughness and competitiveness that will allow him to compete early in our secondary. He should also give our return game a boost with his ability to catch punts and kickoffs. Donovan brings a high level of confidence into our program and should be a tremendous addition to our roster."
𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝. 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐝. 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝.@D_Watkins05
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) January 2, 2023
DB | 6'0 | 170
📍Winnsboro, SC
📚Fairfield Central HS#RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/0Kfe6CJehz
Sam Albee | TE | Roswell, Ga. | Fellowship Christian School
Albee was named Defensive Player of the Year for Class AA, Region 8 in Georgia. His senior season at Fellowship Christian School, Albee led the team with 17 sacks, 25 tackles for a loss and a pair of fumble recoveries. He finished second on the team with 72 total tackles, shared first with 40 solo stops and was tied for fourth with 32 assisted stops. He also recorded a safety and forced a fumble. On offense, Albee grabbed nine passes for 181 yards and ranked second on the squad with four TD passes.
Coach O'Brien on Sam Albee
"Sam is a long athletic tight end. He is going to be able to line up in the box and be a large physical presence. He is going to be a mismatch in the passing game. He has the mindset and attitude needed to dominate opponents and make a big difference at the tight end position."
Time to 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤. @Samuel_Albee18 💪🏽
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) December 21, 2022
TE | 6'5" | 225
📍Roswell, GA
📚 Fellowship Christian #RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/9fOO1uMO67
Tyrell Coard | RB | Huntersville, N.C. | Cox Mill HS
Named to the North Carolina All-State Academic Team. Helped lead Cox Mill to its first playoff win since 2014 during his senior season in which he ran for three touchdowns and set the school record for career rushing touchdowns with 33. His senior season Coard ran for 468 yards on 91 carries for 5.1 yards per carry to go with nine rushing touchdowns.
Coach Jones on Tyrell Coard
"This kid is special! He's a 5'11, 205 lb kid with all the tools to be an elite back in this league one day. Tyrell is also graduating high school early with a 3.7 GPA! I can't wait to have this kid in Macon and start mentoring him!"
𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 @The_TyrellCoard.
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) December 21, 2022
RB | 5'11" | 198
📍Concord, NC
📚 Cox Mill HS#RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/o34RmOfXJf
Adjatay Dabbs | WR | Greeneville, Tenn. | Greeneville HS
During his senior season Dabbs had 28 catches for 573 yards and seven touchdowns. Finished his high school career with 99 receptions for 1,828 yards and 22 receiving touchdowns. That all ranks top-5 in Greenville program history.
Coach Harris on Adjatay Dabbs
"Adjatay Dabbs is probably one of the smoothest players I have seen in a while. Everything he does seems effortless. He's another dynamic player that when he has the ball, good things happen. He fits what we do perfectly, and I think the ceiling is high."
Anotha one 😈@AdjatayD
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) December 21, 2022
WR | 6' | 170
📍Greeneville, TN
📚Greeneville HS#RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/ggoKIecofX
Avery Ferris | OL | Auburn, Ala. | Auburn HS
Helped lead Auburn High School to the 7A State Title game his senior season.
Coach Bodine on Avery Ferris
"Avery has been a very good player on an excellent high school football team at Auburn High in Alabama. He is a physical presence. He run blocks and pass blocks well and knows how to compete for championships."
𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞, @AveryFerris 🐻
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) December 21, 2022
OL | 6'2" | 268
📍Auburn, AL
📚 Auburn HS #RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/LW7YpXRQst
Walter Goggins | DL | Tuscumbia, Ala. | Deshler HS
Goggins was named First Team All-State in class 4-A in Alabama following his senior season. Helped lead Deshler High School to a 12-1 record his senior year.
Coach Long on Walter Goggins
"I am extremely excited about Walter. He is a very dynamic and athletic defensive lineman with long arms and natural play-making ability. He will be a dynamic defensive tackle and has a very high ceiling because of his athletic tools. Walter's best football is still ahead of him, and I expect him to improve exponentially as he learns our fundamentals and techniques."
Love. Compete. Believe. @TheWaltG1 🔥
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) December 21, 2022
DL | 6'2" | 260
📍Tuscumbia, AL
📚Deshler HS#RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/qyVtdtIgsf
Kendall Harris | WR | Concord, N.C. | Cox Mill HS
Harris was an All-State honorable mention his senior season and was named Specialist of the Year in the Greater Metro 4 Conference. His senior season Harris had 29 receptions for 332 yards and three receiving touchdowns. Harris was dangerous in the return game for Cox Mill as he had 15 kick returns for 431 yards, including a 93-yard return for a touchdown. Harris has also displayed his speed and athleticism in basketball and track and field. Before he got to Cox Mill, he was ranked nationally in the 800 and 1,600-meter events in track and field.
Coach Harris on Kendall Harris
"Kendall is the perfect fit for our team. He brings attitude, ability, and explosiveness to our team. Kendall is dynamic with the ball in his hands, and we plan on finding multiple ways to get him the ball. I am very appreciative to have him in our program."
𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 @Kendall_Harris7
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) December 21, 2022
WR | 6' 1" | 183
📍Concord, NC
📚Cox Mill HS#RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/OIQIlY98uK
Brayden Manley | DL | Vanceboro, N.C. | West Craven HS
Manley played numerous positions at West Craven. He helped lead West Craven to an undefeated season in conference play at 7-0. He was named Eastern Plains 2A Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Coach Long on Brayden Manley
"I'm thrilled to have Brayden joining us. He is a gifted and skilled athlete who has played QB, RB, WR, TE, and LB for his team. He has the athleticism to play these multiple positions while possessing impressive size that will translate well to the defensive line. Brayden has an extremely high ceiling because of his athleticism, ability to play skilled positions, and has only recently begun to blossom in the weight room. I expect Brayden to be a special defensive end in the future as he applies his athletic ability to executing our techniques and fundamentals."
𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐝 🦾 @BraydenManley5
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) December 21, 2022
DL | 6'3" | 240
📍Vanceboro, NC
📚 West Craven HS#RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/Naj90NxoRU
Drew Moore | QB | Goose Creek, S.C. | Goose Creek HS
Moore was named South Carolina Region 6-AAAAA Player of the Year his senior season. Moore threw for over 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns in leading Goose Creek to its fourth consecutive region championship during his senior season. In his high school career, Moore accounted for over 7,000 yards of total offense and 83 touchdowns. He holds every passing record in Goose Creek program history.
Coach Salmon on Drew Moore
"Drew is a talented competitor. He has all the tools: arm strength, ball placement, quick hands and feet, smoothness, and the ability to extend an and make plays with his feet. His intangibles and leadership qualities are what we look for in our quarterbacks here at Mercer. Drew loves football and is a competitive guy and those qualities ooze out in every aspect of his game. We are super excited to have him here in Macon and be a guy to lead our offense and football team."
𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 ✍️ @drewmoore_gc
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) December 21, 2022
QB | 6'2" | 172
📍Charleston, SC
📚 Goose Creek HS #RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/nqEUw50uo4
Demetri Robinson | OL | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Dodge City Community College
Robinson was named Honorable Mention All-Conference this past season at Dodge City.
Coach Bodine on Demetri Robinson
"Demetri is a really powerful guard who is athletic enough to pull and do anything we need him to do within our system. He comes from a great high school background. He has really been a physical presence in junior college."
𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐀 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐫 ➡️ @DemetriRob78
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) December 21, 2022
OL | 6'2" | 285
📍Fort Lauderdale, FL
📚 Dodge City Community College#RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/5DRdDJfBEl
Amarii Atchison | OL | Douglasville, Ga. | Alexander HS
Coach Bodine on Amarii Atchison
"Amarii is a guy who has been a basketball player most of his career and he just started playing football two years ago. Coached by Olten Downs at Alexander High School, he has really come on strong over the last two years. He is still only 17 and already 6'7" so we are very excited about his future as an offensive lineman.
FOLLOW THE BEARS𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐧, @almighty_maro
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) December 21, 2022
OL | 6'7" | 280
📍Douglasville, GA
📚Alexander HS#RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/hgNR5SjwkR
For complete coverage of Mercer Football, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerFootball (Twitter), /MercerFootball (Facebook) and @MercerFootball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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