2016 Football
Kirby Southard
- Height:
- 6-0
- Weight:
- 271
- Class:
- Redshirt Senior
- Letters:
- 3
- Hometown:
- Alpharetta, Ga.
- High School:
- Johns Creek HS
2014 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll
2015 at MERCER: Started all 11 games from his center position during junior season … Helped the offense average 412.9 yards of total offense per game including over 200 yards rushing for the third straight year … Paved the way for a rushing attack that cleared 250 yards on the ground in five contests … Led a unit that led the FCS in red zone offense (93.2 percent) and ranked third nationally in sacks allowed with just eight given up on the year … Helped offense surpass 400 yards of total offense in six games including more than 500 yards on two occasions … Blocked for an offense that set a program record with 623 yards of total offense, 476 in the first half, in a win over Stetson (Sep. 12) … Part of an offensive line that piled up 286 yards on the ground in a win over Furman (Nov. 14).
2014 at MERCER: Started all 12 games at center during his sophomore season … Named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll ... Helped pave the way for an offense that ranked second in the Southern Conference and 27th in the FCS with 32.5 points per game … Blocked for a team that rushed for over 200 yards in eight contests and averaged 5.0 yards per carry … Helped the Bears give up just 18 sacks in 2014 … Led the way for running back Alex Lakes to total a program-record 1,107 yards rushing … Part of a unit that compiled over 400 yards of total offense in eight games including a season-high 513 yards in a win over Ave Maria (Sept. 20) … Helped the Bears to a season-high 277 yards rushing in a win over Warner (Nov. 15).
2013 at MERCER: Played in all 12 games at center in redshirt freshman campaign … Made 12 starts on the year … Named to the Pioneer Football League Honor Roll … Helped lead the way for one of the nation’s top rushing attacks that ranked among the FCS leaders with 5.9 yards per carry and over 275 yards rushing per contest … Blocked for an offense that rushed for over 100 yards in all 12 contests and more than 300 yards rushing on six occasions … Paved way for three players with over 750 yards rushing … Part of a Bears’ offensive line that allowed just 20 sacks on the year … Assisted Mercer to a season-high 570 yards of total offensive including 402 yards on the ground in a win over Warner (Sep. 14).
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Johns Creek High School in Johns Creek, Ga., where he was named the Coke Student-Athlete of the Year … Earned three varsity letters in football and track … Under head football coach Mike Cloy, Southard was a team captain ... Was a First Team All-Metro selection and a First Team pick by the Alpharetta Neighbor … Was a two-time recipient of the Ironman of the Year award … Named Lineman of the Year.
PERSONAL: Born July 4, 1993 to parents John and Missy Southard in Atlanta, Ga. … Has one brother, Jeff … Chose Mercer for its high-ranked academics and so he could play football close to home … Majoring in accounting.
