Zock Named 2025-26 SoCon Male Athlete Of The Year

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A record-breaking campaign on the gridiron that was aptly recognized with six all-American awards proved even more fruitful on Thursday afternoon when sophomore defensive end was crowned as the 2025-26 Bob Waters Southern Conference Male Athlete of the Year.

Zock becomes just the fourth Mercer scholar-athlete to be bestowed with the award, but the first since basketball's Amanda Thompson was named SoCon Female Athlete of the Year following the 2018-19 athletic season. Former soccer standout Will Bagrou is Mercer's only other SoCon Male Athlete of the Year recipient having been bestowed the honor following both the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.

MU swept the prestigious league honors in 2017-18 when basketball standout Kahlia Lawrence claimed the accolade on the female side opposite Bagrou.

Zock claimed the 2025 Buck Buchanan Award which is presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in FCS college football after obliterating single-season school records for tackles for loss (20.0), sacks (11.5) and quarterback hurries (23), while also tallying 46 tackles (24 solo), four pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Having logged at least one sack in seven contests, and multiple tackles for loss in as many outings, he concluded the season as the nation's second-best edge defender with a grade of 90.4 percent.

In addition to being named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year and a first team all-conference honoree, Zock was tabbed as an all-American by six different organizations, including a quintet of first team nods.

Mercer SoCon Athletes of the Year
2016-17	Will Bagrou, Men's Soccer
2017-18	Will Bagrou, Men's Soccer
2017-18	Kahlia Lawrence, Women's Basketball
2018-19	Amanda Thompson, Women's Basketball
2025-26	Andrew Zock, Football

Zock Named 2025-26 SoCon Male Athlete Of The Year

Players Mentioned

Andrew Zock

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