Redshirt Senior (2019)
Played in nine games in his final campaign … served as UTSA's primary deep snapper on the punt team for most of the season … helped the Roadrunners average 40.8 yards per punt and post a 38.4 net punt average … also snapped on the field goal/extra point unit, helping place-kicker Hunter Duplessis finish the season 9 of 11 on field goals and a perfect 25 of 25 on PATs … recorded a tackle at Texas A&M (Nov. 2).
Redshirt Junior (2018)
Earned second-team All-Conference USA accolades … primary deep snapper in all 12 games … produced clean snaps on all 114 attempts …key member of a punting unit that posted a 38.8 net punt average … helped punter Yannis Routsas finish with a school-record 43.0 average on 75 punts …part of a punt coverage unit that allowed just 6.7 yards per return and pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line 26 times …also snapped for a special teams group that converted 14 field goals and all 18 extra-point attempts.
Junior (2017)
Redshirted due to NCAA transfer policies.
Prior To UTSA
Competed at McNeese State, two year starter at deep snapper ... first team All-District 17-5A deep snapper and special Teams MVP at Elgin High School … No. 2 ranked deep snapper in Texas by Rubio Long Snapping and No. 5 long snapper in the nation by Komblue’s Fab 50 Ranking.
Personal
Born Jan. 9, 1997 ... son of Eric and Cynthia Merka … earned his bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies in May 2019.