Merceda Perry

Position:
Linebacker
Height:
6-4
Weight:
245
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Asheboro, N.C.
High School:
Asheboro

Returned to the UNC lineup and started all 12 games after missing the majority of the 2000 season with a fractured right ankle • Provided strong leadership to a young linebacking corps in 2001 and finished the year with 39 total tackles, including three for losses.

2001 • Senior Season
Started all 12 games as a senior • Had 39 total hits (23 solo, 16 assists), including three for losses of five yards • Had a season-high six tackles, including one for loss, at Maryland • Had another TFL in the 41-9 rout of Florida State on Sept. 22 • Had five tackles, including four solo hits, against Virginia • Finished the year strong with four tackles versus Duke and five in the win over SMU • Had two tackles for no gain and a stop for a loss of two yards in the first half against the Mustangs.

2000 • Medical Red-shirt Season
Started the first two games at outside linebacker, but fractured his right ankle in the Wake Forest game and was lost for the remainder of the season • Received a medical redshirt and will return in 2001 • Had five tackles on the season, including four vs. Wake Forest.

1999 • junior season
One of Carolina’s most consistent performers • Was second on the team and tied for 15th in the ACC in tackles • Had 83 hits, including 53 primary stops • Averaged 8.3 tackles per game • Averaged 11.5 tackles in the first four games, then dislocated his left shoulder on the first series of the fifth game (at Georgia Tech) • Missed the rest of the game in Atlanta and did not play against Houston • Played sparingly against Maryland and Furman • Returned to significant action against Wake Forest and had 10 tackles • Moved back into the starting lineup the final two weeks in the wins over NC State and Duke • Had 76 tackles in the seven games in which he played at least 30 snaps • Made a season-high 16 tackles in the opener against Virginia • That was one of four games in which he had double-digit tackles • Had 14 tackles (including 11 solo stops) against Clemson, 10 vs. Wake Forest and 13 against Duke • Had three tackles for losses, including a sack, at Clemson • Also had a tackle for a loss against Florida State • Played 452 snaps • Only played eight snaps against Georgia Tech, none against Houston and 17 at Maryland • Averaged 53 snaps in the eight other contests.

1998 • Sophomore Season
Was the top reserve at linebacker • Played in all 12 games, including the Las Vegas Bowl • Saw action on 291 snaps • Made 41 tackles, including 21 primary stops • Had two tackles for losses, two pass breakups and caused one fumble • Had a season-high 11 tackles (six primary) against Georgia Tech • Had three primary tackles, including one for a 13-yard loss, and caused a fumble that UNC recovered inside its own 10-yard line at Virginia • Made seven tackles, one for a four-yard loss, at Duke • Had four tackles against San Diego State in the postseason.

1997 • Freshman Season
Made two tackles in the Gator Bowl against Virginia Tech • One of the top reserves at linebacker • Played on over 200 snaps and made 18 tackles during the regular season • Had a season-high six tackles versus Virginia.

Asheboro High School
Two-time all-conference selection • County player of the year • Played in the Shrine Bowl • Coached by David Moody • First-team all-state selection • Made 487 career tackles, including 161 as a senior • As a senior he also had three sacks and one interception • Ran for 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior at fullback • Also played basketball and ran track • Averaged 11.5 points and nine rebounds as an all-conference center • Conference, county and regional champion in the discus • Was Most Valuable Field Event Performer in the county and regional meets.

Personal
Born Merceda Perry Jr. on July 2, 1979 • Majoring in exercise and sport science.