Princeton High School now has two Power 5 commitments under one roof.
Senior defensive tackle Jaylen Mercer, 18, announced his verbal commitment to the University of Kentucky football program on Wednesday, July 29, in front of Princeton administrators in Sharonville. His younger brother Kam Mercer, 16, a four-star shooting guard, committed to the University of Cincinnati basketball program in May.
Two brothers. Two sports. Two Power 5 programs.
Jaylen's path to Kentucky
Jaylen, listed at 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds, originally pledged to Kentucky in June before making the public announcement Wednesday at the school. A three-star prospect rated 87 on 247Sports, he holds nearly 30 Division I offers and ranks among the top 20 players in Ohio in the Class of 2027, according to WCPO.
The commitment caps a position switch that consumed the past eight to nine months. Jaylen moved from defensive end to defensive tackle for his senior season, a transition his brother called "a tough switch."
"I am super proud of him," Kam told WCPO on Wednesday. "I just think that all the stuff that he had to overcome — he wanted to be a defensive end, now he's training to switch a position to be a d-tackle. It's a tough switch, and I think he's used these last eight, nine months to lock in with Princeton and do all the extra work on and off the field. So everything that he's got rewarded, I feel like he worked for."
Last season Jaylen posted 26 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and two fumble recoveries, per Yahoo Sports.
Kam already a Bearcat pledge
Kameron "Kam" Mercer committed to Cincinnati after reclassifying from the Class of 2028 to 2027. He carries a four-star rating of 94.67 on the Rivals Industry Rankings, placing him No. 37 nationally, No. 7 among shooting guards, and No. 3 in Ohio. Before reclassifying he was ranked No. 16 overall nationally in the 2028 class.
Kam transferred to Princeton mid-year and helped the Vikings win their first-ever OHSAA Division I boys basketball state championship on March 22, defeating Hilliard Bradley 59-28 at UD Arena in Dayton.
Same household, same agency
Both brothers have signed with EZ Sports Group, the agency run by Trey Dees. Jaylen became the first high school football player in the agency's football division. Dees, who coached Jaylen in AAU basketball, said the dual Power 5 commitment from one household is "a unique situation."
Their father, Craig Mercer, was present for Wednesday's announcement. The brothers grew up playing football together in elementary school before each found his lane. Jaylen described Kam as his best friend, saying they work out together, play games together, and push each other daily.
What's next
Kam said he expects this fall to be a "make or break" year for Princeton football, pointing to a strong senior class. Jaylen enters his final Vikings season with a Kentucky commitment in hand and a new position to prove he can dominate.
Princeton's 2026 football schedule has not been publicly released.
