Zeidan Named To Watch List For Fred Mitchell Award
10/14/2026 4:15:00 PM | Football
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – Mercer sophomore Simon Zeidan was among 40 individuals included on Wednesday's midseason watch list for the Fred Mitchell Award which is presented annually to the top placekicker among FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA and NJCAA football teams for excellence on the field and in the community.
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Zeidan has already moved into 19th place on Mercer's single-season scoring chart with 67 points through seven games and ranks second among NCAA FCS kickers this season with 2.14 field goals per game, while ranking eighth among national scoring leaders with 9.6 points per game. His school-record 55-yard field goal in the season-opening victory over East Texas A&M is the second-longest field goal among FCS kickers in 2026.
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The Kennesaw native was named Southern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week on October 5
after registering a school-record18 points in the win at VMI. Zeidan was a perfect 10-for-10 overall on the day against the Keydets, tallying field goals of 39, 36, 28 and 23 yards, while also finishing perfect on six PAT tries. He needs just one more field goal this season to match the program's single-season record for 3-pointers.
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While the midseason watch list recognizes excellence on the football field, community service remains an essential component of the Fred Mitchell Award. At the conclusion of the regular season, the award's selection committee will evaluate each kicker's community and civic service participation alongside their on-field accomplishments.
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The award recognizes not only field goal accuracy, distance, and performances in critical moments, but also the positive impact student-athletes make beyond the football field.
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The recipient of the 2026 Fred Mitchell Award will be announced in December based on accomplishments on the football field and contributions to the community.
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Zeidan has already moved into 19th place on Mercer's single-season scoring chart with 67 points through seven games and ranks second among NCAA FCS kickers this season with 2.14 field goals per game, while ranking eighth among national scoring leaders with 9.6 points per game. His school-record 55-yard field goal in the season-opening victory over East Texas A&M is the second-longest field goal among FCS kickers in 2026.
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The Kennesaw native was named Southern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week on October 5
after registering a school-record18 points in the win at VMI. Zeidan was a perfect 10-for-10 overall on the day against the Keydets, tallying field goals of 39, 36, 28 and 23 yards, while also finishing perfect on six PAT tries. He needs just one more field goal this season to match the program's single-season record for 3-pointers.
Â
While the midseason watch list recognizes excellence on the football field, community service remains an essential component of the Fred Mitchell Award. At the conclusion of the regular season, the award's selection committee will evaluate each kicker's community and civic service participation alongside their on-field accomplishments.
Â
The award recognizes not only field goal accuracy, distance, and performances in critical moments, but also the positive impact student-athletes make beyond the football field.
Â
The recipient of the 2026 Fred Mitchell Award will be announced in December based on accomplishments on the football field and contributions to the community.
Players Mentioned
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/ FootballTuesday, October 13
Sunday, October 11
Saturday, October 10
Tuesday, October 06
