A consummate team player who has already distinguished himself in early leadership roles despite short time in Pirate program ... Remains one of the Pirates' top prospects who simply is waiting for an opportunity to flourish on an award-winning, senior-dominated defensive line ... Will enter his second season on the active roster firmly entrenched on the depth chart behind All-America candidate C.J. Wilson at one of the end positions ... Could also experience action on special teams ... Credited with seven tackles, including a sack, in the first spring scrimmage (4/4)before suffering an ankle injury during the latter stages of spring work, which prevented participation in the second contest (4/8) and Purple-Gold Game (4/18). 2008: Contributed a pair of solo tackles as a reserve defensive end and special teams member in five overall games during initial season on East Carolina's active roster ... Experienced action against N.C. State, Houston, Memphis, Southern Miss and UTEP ... Booked both stops in road contest against Golden Eagles ... First collegiate action came on special teams assignment vs. Wolfpack. 2007: Redshirted during initial season in ECU program ... Earned the Rick Bankston Memorial Award as the defensive unit's top scout team player ... Officially signed with Skip Holtz' program in February, 2007. High School: A two-year starter who earned all-conference and all-area honors as a junior and senior ... Served as a team captain in 2006 ... A noted sack specialist, tallied a total of eight quarterback drops as a senior ... In all, was credited with 81 tackles ... Added five batted passes at the line of scrimmage ... Helped lead Bulldogs to a 7-4 mark in 2006 ... Prep coach was Kenneth Grantham ... Recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.90. Personal: Full name is Gregory Maurice Mercer ... Born October 26, 1987 at Rocky Mount, N.C. ... Son of Orlando and Crystal Jones ... Major is health education and promotion ... Older brother Marcus plays collegiate football (Shaw, College of the Canyons, Texas State) ... Actively involved in school leadership roles, serving as class president in both middle and high school ... Member of the NCHS HOSA (health club). |
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