| Richard Mercier |
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 | Class:
Senior
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| Hometown:
Montreal, Quebec
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| High School:
Vanier College
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| Height / Weight:
6-3 / 290
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| Position:
Offensive Line
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AT MIAMI: Fifth-year senior who returns as the starter at left guard…will once again contend for All-America and All-Conference honors…a tenacious run blocker who gives 100 percent effort on every play whether it be in practice or a game...has worked extremely hard to improve flexibility and leverage…tremendous lower body strength…
can squat 610 pounds…has quick feet and excellent mobility…never gives up on a play and finishes with authority…considered one of the best pulling guards in the nation...started 23 consecutive games before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the 1997 season opener…has started in 35 games along UM’s offensive line during his career…Miami is 27-8 with Mercier in the starting lineup and 4-7 without...on pace to tie the Hurricanes’ all-time record for games started (48)...15th pick in the 1999 CFL draft, selected by the BC Lions in the second round.
1998 (JUNIOR): A first-team All-BIG EAST selection…named to Sports Illustrated All-Bowl Team…returned from reconstructive knee surgery to start every game at left guard after missing all of ‘97…work-horse that played virtually every down due to lack of depth along the O-line…graded out over 90 percent in every contest…his return to the lineup is the primary reason the Hurricane offense went from averaging 30.6 points and 395.1 yards total offense per game in 1997 to averaging 36.5 points and 451.5 yards total offense per contest in ‘98…voted one of five permanent team captains by teammates.
1997 (REDSHIRT): Took a medical redshirt after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Miami’s season opening win at Baylor…was on the field for 51 plays before the injury and graded out at 96 percent.
1996 (SOPHOMORE): Started every game in 1996 at left guard, switching over from right guard, where he started ten contests in 1995…key element in pass protection that allowed Hurricane quarterbacks to throw for 3,176 yards and 23 touchdowns…one of the leaders of the offensive line that helped Miami improve rushing offense from 141 yards per game in 1995 to 155 yards per game in 1996.
1995 (FRESHMAN): Earned varsity letter starting in 10 of 11 contests at right guard...stepped in without any game experience for an injured Ricky Perry at right guard and performed at a high level the entire season...strong run blocking helped pave way for Danyell Ferguson’s 1,069 yards...started classes at UM in January 1995...participated in spring practice as a defensive tackle the first two weeks and a second-team left offensive guard the last two.
HIGH SCHOOL: Vanier College...an All-League and two-time All-Provincial selection...rated one of Canada’s top ten tacklers...had eight quarterback sacks in eight games from an inside position...ranked No. 2 in Canada by All-Star Recruiting...selected to the 1993 Provincial Quebec All-Star Team which won the Canada Cup...named captain of the 1994 Provincial All-Star Team...chosen Athlete of the Week after bowl game with four sacks and 15 tackles...solid academic student...a member of the Quebec Elite Mogul Ski Team...ranked fifth nationally at the Canadian Junior Mogul Ski Championships held at Banff, Alberta...coached by Mike Mauravitch.
PERSONAL: Born 5/13/75...a double major in accounting and finance...full name is Richard Marc Mercier...other athletic interests include snow and water skiing...son of Richard and Gwendolyn Mercier.
