2/6/2013 football Edit

Letter of intent No. 11: Josh Mercer

Matt Carter

TheWolfpacker.com Editor

Joshua Mercer

Running back

Guyton (Ga.) South Effingham High

5-foot-11, 185 pounds

Measurables: At a Nike Combine, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds and the shuttle in 4.22 seconds … Had a 31.7-inch vertical leap.

Stats: Ran 247 times for 1,479 yards and 27 touchdowns and had 13 catches for 158 yards and two scores as a senior … Rushed 192 times for 1,354 yards and 16 touchdowns and caught 14 passes for 200 yards and four scores as a junior.

Ratings: Ranked as a three-star prospect, the No. 53 running back nationally and No. 76 player in Georgia by Rivals.com … Given three stars by Scout.com and listed as the No. 98 running back in the country … Rated three stars by 24/7 Sports, the No. 22 all-purpose back in the nation and No. 66 recruit in the state … Regarded as a three-star recruit, the No. 75 running back nationally and No. 91 prospect in Georgia by ESPN.

Honors/accomplishments: Chosen as the Offensive Player of the Year in the region by the Savannah Morning News … Named second-team Class AAAA All-State by the Georgia Sportswriters Association … Was honorable mention Class AAAA All-State by the Atlanta Journal Constitution … Selected as the 3-AAAA South Region Offensive Player of the Year by the coaches … Helped South Effingham reach the state playoffs for the first time in seven years and led squad to quarterfinals … Also runs track, finishing sixth in the state 100-meter dash finals as a junior and third as a sophomore … Has personal best times of 10.66 seconds in the 100 and 21.63 seconds in the 200.

Recruitment: Mercer's commitment came a bit out of the blue on Sept. 24. He was believed to be high on the board of both Florida and Georgia, but Mercer decided to choose NC State. The speedster officially visited Oct. 5 and remained firm throughout the process.

Recruiter of record: Running backs coach Des Kitchings.

2013 projection: Matt Dayes steals the thunder among the running backs in the class, but Mercer is a good bet to get on the field as well. He has the speed to be a weapon at the position.