Harper and James Receive Preseason Recognition From Stats Perform
5/25/2023 12:22:00 PM | Football
Playmaking ability of Mercer wideouts continues to garner preseason recognition
MACON, Ga. – Mercer football wide receivers Devron Harper and Ty James were ranked by Craig Haley of Stats Perform as the second and fourth best returning receivers in the FCS respectively heading into the 2023 season. The rankings included wide receivers and tight ends.
Harper not only was ranked second among returning receivers but was also ranked as the seventh best overall offensive player - regardless of position - for the 2023 season. Harper also received recognition for his playmaking ability on special teams as Stats Perform views him as the second-best kick and punt returner in the FCS.
Last season, Harper had a career year in every receiving category while being named a unanimous First Team All-SoCon player. Harper was also a Walter Payton Award Finalist (FCS Offensive Player of the Year) and Third Team AP All-American as an all-purpose player. Mercer's first player to earn AP All-American honors.
Harper finished his junior season in 2022 with 78 receptions for 987 receiving yards and 16 total touchdowns which led the SoCon. His 78 receptions broke a Mercer school record.  He had 1,878 all-purpose yards, a school record and fourth most in the country last year.
Harper proved to be a threat to score anywhere on the field as shown last season by his 10 receiving touchdowns, four rushing, one kick and one punt return for a touchdown.
Harper has always been a threat on special teams. In his career, he has scored five times on returns (three punts, two kickoffs). Last season he led the SoCon in kick return average at 29.1 yards per return. He had a 93-yard kick return for a touchdown in the season opening win over Morehead State, and later in the season had an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown against VMI, the first Mercer player to return a punt for a touchdown since 2014.
As for James, he had a career-best season in every receiving category last season on his way to being named First Team All-SoCon. As a redshirt sophomore in 2022, James had 52 receptions for 1,105 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns. He led the SoCon in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and yards per catch (21.3 ypc).Â
His 1,105 receiving yards set a school record. In the last game of the season at Samford, James had a record-breaking day recording 13 receptions for 351 receiving yards and two touchdowns. His 351 receiving yards were the most by any FCS player during the regular season, set the SoCon single game receiving yards record, and broke the school record for receiving and all-purpose yards in a game.
Mercer fans will have a chance to watch Harper, James, and the Bears five times inside of Five Star Stadium this season.
To secure your place at Five Star Stadium, you can purchase Mercer Football season tickets by clicking here or calling the Mercer ticket office at (478) 301-5470.
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Follow the Bears
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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Harper not only was ranked second among returning receivers but was also ranked as the seventh best overall offensive player - regardless of position - for the 2023 season. Harper also received recognition for his playmaking ability on special teams as Stats Perform views him as the second-best kick and punt returner in the FCS.
Last season, Harper had a career year in every receiving category while being named a unanimous First Team All-SoCon player. Harper was also a Walter Payton Award Finalist (FCS Offensive Player of the Year) and Third Team AP All-American as an all-purpose player. Mercer's first player to earn AP All-American honors.
Harper finished his junior season in 2022 with 78 receptions for 987 receiving yards and 16 total touchdowns which led the SoCon. His 78 receptions broke a Mercer school record.  He had 1,878 all-purpose yards, a school record and fourth most in the country last year.
Harper proved to be a threat to score anywhere on the field as shown last season by his 10 receiving touchdowns, four rushing, one kick and one punt return for a touchdown.
Harper has always been a threat on special teams. In his career, he has scored five times on returns (three punts, two kickoffs). Last season he led the SoCon in kick return average at 29.1 yards per return. He had a 93-yard kick return for a touchdown in the season opening win over Morehead State, and later in the season had an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown against VMI, the first Mercer player to return a punt for a touchdown since 2014.
As for James, he had a career-best season in every receiving category last season on his way to being named First Team All-SoCon. As a redshirt sophomore in 2022, James had 52 receptions for 1,105 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns. He led the SoCon in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and yards per catch (21.3 ypc).Â
His 1,105 receiving yards set a school record. In the last game of the season at Samford, James had a record-breaking day recording 13 receptions for 351 receiving yards and two touchdowns. His 351 receiving yards were the most by any FCS player during the regular season, set the SoCon single game receiving yards record, and broke the school record for receiving and all-purpose yards in a game.
Mercer fans will have a chance to watch Harper, James, and the Bears five times inside of Five Star Stadium this season.
To secure your place at Five Star Stadium, you can purchase Mercer Football season tickets by clicking here or calling the Mercer ticket office at (478) 301-5470.
Â
Follow the Bears
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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