Bears Send 17 To All-Conference, SoCon All-Freshman Accolades

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Sophomore Andrew Zock was named the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year, rookie quarterback Braden Atkinson picked up the league's Freshman of the Year laurel and Mike Jacobs raked in SoCon Coach of the Year honors for the second-straight year with the release of the 2025 All-Southern Conference Football Team on Wednesday morning.

Thirteen student-athletes, including a septet of first-teamers, graced the all-conference squads, while the Bears also donned a quintet of SoCon All-Freshman honors. Zock, as well as sophomore offensive lineman Tyler Murray, were lauded with all-conference accolades for the second-straight year.

Junior running back CJ Miller joined senior offensive lineman Xavier Jennings and sophomore wide receiver Adjatay Dabbs as Mercer's offensive representatives on the all-conference first team, while Zock (defensive line), senior linebacker Drew Clare, sophomore defensive back Kaleb Hutchinson and junior kicker Reice Griffith were included as part of the first team as well. Atkinson headlined MU's parade on the second team all-conference list, but he was joined by junior offensive lineman Jamari Freeman, Murray and fellow sophomore offensive lineman Amarii Atchison, senior defensive lineman Jordan Swain and junior wide receiver/return specialist Brayden Smith.

Mercer's SoCon All-Freshman Team honorees included Atkinson, running back Ty Doughty, offensive lineman Gavin Marks, defensive lineman Kobe McInnis and defensive back KJ Thomas.

Mercer has captured the league's defensive player of the year, freshman of the year and coach of the year award in consecutive seasons. Former MU standout Brayden Manley took home the 2024 defensive player of the year nod, while Zock claimed freshman of the year status.

The sixth-seeded Bears (9-2, 8-0 SoCon) will begin their road in the NCAA postseason on December 6 when they suit up to take on either 11th-seeded South Dakota (8-4) or Drake (8-3) in the second round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs. Kickoff has been scheduled for noon at Five Star Stadium.

Tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting MercerBears.com/Tickets.

Bears Send 17 To All-Conference, SoCon All-Freshman Accolades

Players Mentioned

Amarii Atchison

Braden Atkinson

Drew Clare

Adjatay Dabbs

Ty Doughty

Jamari Freeman

Reice Griffith

Kaleb Hutchinson

Xavier Jennings

Brayden Manley

Gavin Marks

Kobe McInnis

CJ Miller

Tyler Murray

Brayden Smith

Jordan Swain

KJ Thomas

Andrew Zock

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