Kevon Merrell

Sophomore in the classroom … Earned first varsity letter in 2024 … Played in 13 games during initial year with the program … Booked 13 total tackles (eight solo) with 1.5 TFLs (-3 yards) … Verbally committed to East Carolina on July 1, 2023 … Officially enrolled at ECU in January of 2024. 2024: Played in all 13 games during initial year with the program … Earned first varsity letter after logging 278 total snaps (127 defense, 151 special teams) … Tallied 13 tackles (eight solo) … Registered 1.5 TFLs (-3 yards) coming in the season opener against Norfolk State … Recorded at least one tackle in seven of 13 contests (multiple three times) … Credited with one pass breakup (Norfolk State) … Booked career-best four tackles against the Spartans (two solo) … Added tackles against UTSA, Charlotte (two), Temple (three), Florida Atlantic, North Texas and NC State … Two of 13 stops came as a member of special teams unit. High School: Prefers to go by KJ … Four-year letterman for head coach Lawrance Smith … Two-sport athlete (football, track and field) … Two-way athlete (LB/DB and RB) who appeared in 50 career games for the Cougars where he tallied 197 stops (81 solo) which included 17.5 TFLs … Credited with 2.5. career sacks, one interception (40 yards), four fumble recoveries, five caused fumbles and blocked one field goal attempt … Registered important pass breakup on a fourth down to beat Lovejoy, 15-14, on the last play of the game … Offensively, rushed 121 times for 560 yards (4.6 ypr) with 11 touchdowns … As a senior, helped the Cougars to a 7-5 record where he logged 50 tackles (27 solo) with 4.0 TFLs and one interception (40 yards) … Rushed 50 times for 341 yards (6.8 ypr) with eight scores … During junior campaign, booked 54 stops (22 solo) with 4.5 TFLs helping the Cougars (5-6) to an appearance in the Georgia AAA playoffs … Ran 29 times for 71 yards with a score … Named MaxPreps Defensive Player of the Game on Aug. 27, 2021 against Houston County … Credited with 73 tackles (27 solo) and 7.0 TFLs as a sophomore while registering 10 stops (five solo) with two additional TFLs as a freshman … As a member of the offense, rushed for 136 yards on 40 carries (3.4 ypr) with two scores as a sophomore and twice for 12 yards as a freshman … Also ran track where he clocked a personal-best 10.66 in the 100-meter dash … Took 10th as a junior at sectionals … Three-star prospect according to 247Sports Composite, ESPN.com and On3.com … Listed as the 90th-best player in Georgia and the 75th-best linebacker nationally according to 247Sports … Also rated as the 32nd-best linebacker and 56th-best player in Georgia by On3.com … Chose East Carolina over offers from Appalachian State, Charlotte, Colorado, Georgia State, Kent State, Kentucky, Liberty, Middle Tennessee State, Navy, South Florida, Troy, Tulane, UAB, Western Kentucky and others.