MERCER BEARS FOOTBALL

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Joel Taylor directs a 100-player roster at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, where the Bears compete in the Football Championship Subdivision within the Southern Conference. Founded in 1833, the institution enrolls 9,124 students and represents one of the Southeast's historic athletic programs. The Bears operate from their home venue while balancing the competitive demands of FCS football against the academic mission of a university with deep regional roots.

Mercer football operates within the Southern Conference, one of the FCS's established leagues featuring mid-sized programs across the Southeast. The Bears' 100-player roster reflects the typical size of FCS programs, smaller than FBS operations but sufficient for competitive conference play. Taylor's tenure as head coach positions the program within the broader context of Southern Conference competition, where programs like Wofford, Chattanooga, and VMI maintain sustained success and strong regional followings.

The Bears' fall schedule places them among programs balancing scholarship limitations and enrollment size typical of FCS athletics. Mercer's location in central Georgia provides a recruiting foothold in a state with substantial football talent, while the university's 191-year history reflects the long-standing Southern collegiate tradition. Competition in the Southern Conference demands consistent development and coaching stability for FCS programs seeking postseason eligibility and tournament advancement.

KEY FACTS

ROSTER (2025-26)

OTHER SPORTS AT MERCER

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PROGRAMS

• East Tennessee State Buccaneers
• Furman Paladins
• Samford Bulldogs
• Citadel Citadel
• Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs
• Virginia Military Institute Keydets
• Western Carolina Catamounts
• Wofford Terriers

MORE FOOTBALL IN GEORGIA

Browse all NCAA Division I football programs in Georgia.