1. Whitney Mercilus played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini, where he won the Ted Hendricks Award and the Bill Willis Trophy, and was selected by the Texans in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft.
38 Facts About Whitney Mercilus
1. 2.
Whitney Mercilus is of Haitian descent, and was born in Akron, Ohio.
3.
Whitney Mercilus attended Garfield High School in Akron, where he played high school football for the Garfield High School Rams.
4.
Whitney Mercilus was considered a three-star defensive end prospect by the Rivals.
5.
Whitney Mercilus attended the University of Illinois, where he played for head coach Ron Zook's Illinois Fighting Illini football team from 2009 to 2011.
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Whitney Mercilus broke out during his junior season in 2011, leading the country in quarterback sacks and forced fumbles while primarily playing at the defensive end position.
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Whitney Mercilus won the 2011 Ted Hendricks Award, 2011 Bill Willis Award, and 2011 CFPA Defensive Performer of the Year, in addition to being recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American.
8.
On January 3,2012, Whitney Mercilus announced his decision to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2012 NFL draft.
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Whitney Mercilus attended the NFL Scouting Combine and completed all of the combine drills.
10.
Whitney Mercilus finished with the fourth fastest time among all defensive ends in the 40-yard dash.
11.
On March 6,2012, Whitney Mercilus attended Illinois' pro day, but opted to stand on the majority of his combine numbers.
12.
Whitney Mercilus performed positional drills and improved his time in the short shuttle and three-cone drill.
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Whitney Mercilus attended Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Dallas Cowboys.
14.
Whitney Mercilus was ranked as the third best defensive end prospect in the draft by DraftScout.
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Whitney Mercilus was the highest selected Illinois defensive lineman since Simeon Rice was selected third overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 1996.
16.
Immediately after the draft, Texans' defensive coordinator Wade Phillips stated that Whitney Mercilus would be moved to outside linebacker.
17.
Whitney Mercilus recorded his first sack for a four-yard loss on Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and forced a fumble that was recovered by Ravens center Matt Birk during the first quarter.
18.
On December 2,2012, Whitney Mercilus earned his first career start after Brooks Reed suffered a groin injury.
19.
Whitney Mercilus finished his rookie year with 25 combined tackles, six sacks, and a pass deflection in 16 games and four starts.
20.
Whitney Mercilus entered training camp slated as a starting outside linebacker after Connor Barwin departed in free agency.
21.
Whitney Mercilus finished his second professional season with 47 combined tackles and seven sacks in 16 games and starts.
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Whitney Mercilus started alongside Jadeveon Clowney and inside linebackers Brian Cushing and Jeff Tarpinian.
23.
Whitney Mercilus was inactive for the Texans' Week 15 loss at the Tennessee Titans due to a back injury.
24.
Whitney Mercilus finished the 2014 season with 50 combined tackles and five sacks in 15 games and 13 starts.
25.
Whitney Mercilus entered training camp slated as a starting outside linebacker, but saw some minor competition from John Simon after he impressed coaches while filling in for Jadeveon Clowney during camp.
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Whitney Mercilus finished the 2015 season with 52 combined tackles, a career-high 12 sacks, and two pass deflections in 16 games and 10 starts.
27.
Whitney Mercilus entered training camp slated as a starting outside linebacker.
28.
Whitney Mercilus finished the 2016 season with 53 combined tackles, 7.5 sacks, and a pass deflection in 15 games and starts.
29.
Whitney Mercilus was awarded Second-Team All-Pro 2016 in recognition of his successful 2016 season.
30.
Whitney Mercilus finished the season with 10 combined tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in five games and starts.
31.
Whitney Mercilus made his return from injury in week 1 of the season against the New England Patriots.
32.
In week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Whitney Mercilus forced his first fumble of the season on Blake Bortles which was recovered by teammate Jadeveon Clowney.
33.
Whitney Mercilus was placed back on the COVID-19 list on December 25,2020, and activated on January 13,2021.
34.
On October 19,2021, Whitney Mercilus was released by the Texans after 10 seasons.
35.
On October 21,2021, Whitney Mercilus signed with the Green Bay Packers.
36.
In 80 snaps over four regular season games with the Packers, Whitney Mercilus recorded 10 quarterback pressures, five tackles, and one sack.
37.
Whitney Mercilus announced his retirement from the NFL on April 6,2022.
38.
Whitney Mercilus is the founder of the WithMerci Foundation, an organization that "advocates services and support for families of children with disabilities and special needs".