Men’s Golf Inks Two Top-20 Recruits In Early Window
11/13/2025 12:10:00 PM | Men's Golf
MACON – The Mercer men's golf team is adding two of the top 20 recruits in Florida to its 2026-27 roster in the early signing period, head coach Jason Payne announced.
Cooper Franklin
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. | Ponte Vedra High School
Franklin signs with Mercer ranked as the No. 20 overall recruit in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) rankings. Over the last four years, Franklin has accumulated 20 finishes in the top 25, 14 finishes in the top 15, 12 top 10, seven top five and four individual wins on the Florida Junior Tour.
In 2024, Franklin won the FJT Bent Creek, FJT Indian Spring Open, FJT PGA National and the 13th FJT Tour Championship. Franklin's career-low on the FJT is a 67 which he shot in the final rounds of the 2024 FJT PGA National and Tour Championships to secure his trophies.
Coach Payne on Franklin – "Cooper is a very accomplished junior and amateur golfer. We were introduced to Cooper early in the recruiting process and had the opportunity to follow him through much of his junior career. We are excited for him to step on campus and believe he is going to make an immediate impact."
Spencer Ives
Naples, Fla. | Community School of Naples
Ives commits to Mercer amidst an outstanding senior season. Ives finished the fall slate of his senior year with a -2.088 scoring differential and ranked as the 14th overall (No. 7 senior) in the FHSAA rankings.
As a junior, Ives finished in second place at the First Tee National Championship with a score of seven-under par. Ives was also named the Southwest Florida Golfer of the Year and finished in fourth at the 1A State Championships.
Coach Payne on Ives – "From the first time I saw Spencer compete in a tournament, I was impressed with his game. He has all the physical tools to be a great college player and we look forward to him being a big part of our program for the next four years."
Cooper Franklin
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. | Ponte Vedra High School
Franklin signs with Mercer ranked as the No. 20 overall recruit in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) rankings. Over the last four years, Franklin has accumulated 20 finishes in the top 25, 14 finishes in the top 15, 12 top 10, seven top five and four individual wins on the Florida Junior Tour.
In 2024, Franklin won the FJT Bent Creek, FJT Indian Spring Open, FJT PGA National and the 13th FJT Tour Championship. Franklin's career-low on the FJT is a 67 which he shot in the final rounds of the 2024 FJT PGA National and Tour Championships to secure his trophies.
Coach Payne on Franklin – "Cooper is a very accomplished junior and amateur golfer. We were introduced to Cooper early in the recruiting process and had the opportunity to follow him through much of his junior career. We are excited for him to step on campus and believe he is going to make an immediate impact."
Spencer Ives
Naples, Fla. | Community School of Naples
Ives commits to Mercer amidst an outstanding senior season. Ives finished the fall slate of his senior year with a -2.088 scoring differential and ranked as the 14th overall (No. 7 senior) in the FHSAA rankings.
As a junior, Ives finished in second place at the First Tee National Championship with a score of seven-under par. Ives was also named the Southwest Florida Golfer of the Year and finished in fourth at the 1A State Championships.
Coach Payne on Ives – "From the first time I saw Spencer compete in a tournament, I was impressed with his game. He has all the physical tools to be a great college player and we look forward to him being a big part of our program for the next four years."
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