University of Wyoming Athletics

UW This Season: Mertens received a sixth year of eligibility and went through 2014 spring drills with the Pokes, finishing as the top defensive tackle on the final depth chart.

2013: Mertens was a stalwart on the defensive line for UW. He played in 12 games, racking up 34 tackles, including five TFLs. He had two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He had a solid performance versus Idaho with five tackles, one sack and a forced fumble. He was named to the Academic All-Conference squad for his work in the classroom.

2012: Over 12 games, Mertens was a solid presence in the interior of the Cowboy defensive line. He tallied 34 tackles as a defensive tackle, and was second on the team with 2.5 sacks for minus-17 yards. He added a pass breakup and a forced fumble. He had at least four tackles in four games. His best game came against Toledo, in which he had four stops, one sack and one pass breakup.

2011: Mertens was set to enter his second season as one of UW's starting defensive tackles, but an illness kept him out for the whole year.

2010: Mertens took advantage of UW's change from a 3-4 base defense to a 4-3 to earn the nod as one of the Cowboys' starters at defensive tackle. He made the most of the opportunity by collecting 39 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks in 12 starts. Mertens' top showing of the season was a seven-tackle effort versus Air Force, while he also collected five stops against Boise State and San Diego State. He notched his two sacks of the season versus Colorado State. At the team's year-end banquet, Mertens was named UW's Freshman of the Year. He also earned a spot on Phil Steele's Second Team Freshman All-America squad.

2009: Redshirted.

High School: Mertens had a stellar high school career at Sterling High School. As a senior, he earned All-State and All-Conference honors and was Sterling High's Defensive MVP. As a junior, he also earned both All-State and All-Conference honors, while being selected as his team's offensive and defensive MVP. As a sophomore, he earned honorable mention All-Conference accolades. His football coach was Mark Bauder. Mertens' athletic ability was also showcased on the basketball floor where lettered all four years of high school. He was an honorable mention All-Conference selection following both his junior and senior seasons. He was also named to the honor roll throughout high school.

Personal: Born Oct. 20, 1990 in Sterling, he is the son of Deb and Darrel Mertens and has an older sister, Lindsey. He is pursuing a degree in agricultural business at UW.