Harper, James Named To Shrine Bowl 1,000 List
7/19/2023 9:00:00 AM | Football
Postseason All-Star Game Takes Place in Frisco, Texas
MACON, Ga. – Mercer football wide receivers Devron Harper and Ty James have been named to the Shrine Bowl 1,000 List as recently announced by the East-West Shrine Bowl.Â
The East-West Shrine Bowl is an annual college football all-star game showcasing some of the top draft-eligible collegiate players in the country. Each year, the event and its staff release a preseason list of the top 1,000 draft-eligible college football players. The players included in the list are eligible to play in the yearly all-star game and are considered the top 2024 NFL Draft prospects.Â
The 99th annual East-West Shrine Bowl, the nation's oldest college football all-star game, will take place Feb. 1, 2024, in Frisco, Texas. The game will be televised nationally on NFL Network from Ford Center at The Star, the headquarters and training facility of the Dallas Cowboys.Â
Harper is coming off an All-American season in 2022 as he was named an Associated Press Third Team All-American after his standout season along with fellow First Team All-SoCon wide receiver Ty James. Harper and James have garnered numerous preseason recognition, with media outlets such as Bluebloods and Stats Perform viewing the electrifying duo among the top five returning receivers in the country.
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. He was also 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. 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).
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.
Â
