Mitch Payne

Height:
6-4
Weight:
294
Class:
Redshirt Senior
Letters:
2
Hometown:
Sylva, N.C.
High School:
Baylor School

2015 at MERCER: Emerged as the starter at left guard midway through his junior season … Played in 10 games while starting the following seven contests … 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 four of his 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 five of his 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: Missed the 2014 season due to injury.

2013 at MERCER: Played in all 12 games as the starting right tackle during redshirt freshman campaign … Made 12 starts on the year … 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 277.9 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 the way for three players with over 750 yards rushing … Part of 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: Lettered at Riverside Military Academy in 2010 where he played under head coach Scot Sloan, now an assistant coach at Appalachian State University...Played and lettered at Baylor School in 2011 and 2012 under head coach Phil Massey...Played in the State Championship football game in 2011 and 2012...Appeared in the 2012 Tennessee vs. Georgia All Star game...Lettered in wrestling during his senior season under head coach Ben Nelson and placed fourth in the 2012 State Tournament.

PERSONAL: Born on Nov. 23, 1993 in Sylva, N.C., to parents Richard Hoodenpyle and Belinda Payne … Chose Mercer because of the academic reputation and great coaches … Majoring in Business.