London Merritt

AT COLORADO HONORS PFF All-Freshman Team All Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year Honorable Mention No. 23 DL Phil Steele Top Freshman 2025 (Fr.) Played in all 12 games during the 2025 season, starting in one. Made his collegiate debut against Georgia Tech in the season opener. Got his first collegiate start in week seven at home against Iowa State. Finished the season with 25 total tackles, 14 unassisted tackles, eight tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries, and one sack. His eight tackles for loss are the second most by a freshman in the Big 12 and fourth in the NCAA for true freshman according to PFF. PFF All-Freshman Team All Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year Honorable Mention No. 23 DL Phil Steele Top Freshman RECRUIT RANKING SITES A four-star recruit by 247 Sports, 247 Sports Composite, and ESPN. 247 Sports rated him the No. 25 EDGE player, and the No. 31 player from Florida. The 247 Sports Composite listed him as the No. 144 player nationally, the No. 13 EDGE, and the No. 24 player from Florida. On ESPN, Merritt is the No. 52 player nationally, the No. 5 EDGE, and the No. 7 player from Florida. Rivals listed him as a four-star recruit, the No. 5 EDGE, and the No. 13 player from Florida. On3 ranked Merritt as a three-star recruit, the No. 55 EDGE, and the No. 59 player from Florida. AT IMG ACADEMY Merritt played three seasons of high school football at three different schools, finishing his career at IMG Academy under head coach Billy Miller. After transferring to IMG for his senior season, Merritt had one of the best seasons of his high school career. In just eight games played, he totaled 23.0 tackles, four of which were tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hurries, one sack, and seven pass breakups. As a junior at Woodward, he recorded 31.0 tackles in 14 games and had four tackles for loss, five sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and recovery, and one interception. He started playing football his sophomore year for Woodward Academy and helped the team to reach Georgia’s AAAAAA title game in 2023. Merritt also ran track at the prep level, finishing the 100-meter in 12.48 and the 200-meter in 25.93 in 2022. He also played basketball where he averaged 20 points a game. PERSONAL Merritt is the son of Tiffany and Thomas Merritt and has one sister Chloe. He was the third player to commit on a nationally recognized show. He announced on Thanksgiving on Nightcap hosted by Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson along with three other teammates Quentin Gibson, Alex McPherson, and Carde Smith.