Mercer Football Adds Five Transfers to 2022 Roster

MACON, Ga.—Mercer head football coach Drew Cronic has announced the addition of five student-athletes to his roster for the upcoming season. Coach Cronic said, "We are very excited about these five additions to our program. There were a couple of needs, especially on the offensive side of the ball, that we were able to address. When we sign a transfer, or any player, there are two critical questions. Does this young man fit our culture? Is he going to help us win the SoCon? These five young men check off all the boxes."

Austin Douglas
5-11, 210 lbs.
Running Back
Alpharetta, Georgia/Mount Vernon High School
James Madison University

As a senior at Mount Vernon High School in Alpharetta, Douglas was a Class A Private All-State player and 5-A Region Offensive Player of the Year rushing for 1,673 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns (averaging 10.5 yards a carry). He was a three-time All-Region selection. He helped Mount Vernon to three playoff appearances and was a multi-sport athlete who also played basketball and ran track.
Douglas has been at James Madison for the past three seasons. He played in 10 games last year for the Dukes where he had 27 carries for 176 yards and three receptions for 35 yards.
Coach Cronic on Douglas: "Austin is coming home to Georgia, with three seasons of eligibility, after signing with and playing for James Madison. He has good size, athletic skill set and leadership qualities, and we expect him to compete for significant playing time this fall."

Trey Adkins
5-11, 185 lbs.
Wide Receiver
Simpsonville, South Carolina/Hillcrest High School
University of South Carolina

Trey Adkins helped lead Hillcrest High School to an 11-3 record as a senior, earning all-region honors and was a second team All-Upstate performer after catching 63 yards for 947 yards as a senior. He earned a spot on the All-tournament Team for the Powerade 7on7 Invitational in Charlotte in 2017. He walked on to the University of South Carolina football team in 2018. As a redshirt freshman in 2019, he appeared in four games for the Gamecocks, caught three passes for 58 yards and was named to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Fall Academic Honor Roll. He appeared in six games as a redshirt sophomore in 2020 and was placed on scholarship prior to the start of the 2021 season. Before going on scholarship, he delivered pizzas in his spare time to help pay for his education. In his 2021 junior season, he was named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll for the third time.
Coach Cronic on Adkins: "We had a need at wide receiver, and Trey was the perfect fit. A transfer from USC with 2 seasons remaining, he really has great hands, runs well and shows tremendous leadership. He will make plays for us this fall."

Israel Mukwiza
6-2, 315 lbs.
Offensive Lineman
Lawrenceville, Georgia/Archer High School
Alabama A&M

Israel Mukwiza was a two-year starter for Archer High School in 2018 and 2019 when the Tigers advanced to the state playoffs. He comes to Mercer from Alabama A&M.
Coach Cronic on Mukwiza: "Israel is a transfer offensive lineman from Alabama A&M who is originally from Archer High School in Gwinnett County. He is big and physical and should push for significant playing time in the fall."

Fred Jackson
5-10, 180 lbs.
Running Back
Lake Minneola, Florida/Lake Minneola High School
Coastal Carolina University

Fred Jackson led his Lake Minneola high school team with 2,206 yards and 28 touchdowns his senior season in 2017. He ran for an astounding 452 yards in a 55-47 win over Leesburg in his final high school game. He also lettered in basketball.
During his freshman season at New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI), he accounted for 1,219 yards – 356 yards rushing, 264 receiving and 599 on kick returns. In his 2019 sophomore season, Jackson was an NJCAA All-American honorable mention as a return specialist. He totaled 2,579 all-purpose yards during his NMMI career.
Jackson missed the 2020 season because of injury but earned a spot on the Dean's List at Coastal Carolina.
In his 2021 redshirt junior season, he played in all 11 games for the Chanticleers, primarily on special teams. He became the team's primary kick returner midway through the season and returned eight kickoffs for 183 yards.
Coach Cronic on Jackson: "An outstanding young man who is transferring from Coastal Carolina with one season remaining. He is a burner that will improve our team speed on offense and will be a home run threat for us."

Khay Loyd
6-2, 200 lbs.
Safety
Darien, Georgia/McIntosh County Academy
Army Prep

Loyd earned All-Region 3-A, Division A first team honors for his performance in the McIntosh County High School secondary following a campaign that saw the Buccaneers return to the playoffs for the first time in 2016. He also played split end in the team's wing-T offense.
Coach Cronic on Loyd: "Originally from Darien (McIntosh County Academy), Khay is coming from Army Prep with four seasons remaining. At 6-2, 200 lbs., he brings really good size, physicality and athleticism to the safety position."
The Bears kick off the 2022 campaign earlier than usual on Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. when they host Morehead State at Five Star Stadium. Mercer's game is the only college football game in Georgia on that day.
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Mercer Football Adds Five Transfers to 2022 Roster

Players Mentioned

Israel Mukwiza

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