DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The thing Trevor Merritt wants you to know is how much fun's he having these days.

Of course, the Bethune-Cookman senior defensive back is putting in the work, and it's beginning to pay off – he was one of four Wildcats named to the Black College Player of the Year watch list. He's coming off a season in which he co-led the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in interceptions (four) with teammate Tydarius Peters and he's part of a stacked defensive secondary.

"He loves playing the game with his teammates," BCU Head Coach Terry Sims said. "He's that type of football player … and that type of young man."

No wonder Merritt's loving life.

"I have great teammates," the Rockledge, Fla.  product said. "And the coaches are bringing a lot of energy and we're feeding off of it."

Last week's announcement is also feeding Merritt.

"I have to play harder now," Merritt said. "There are a lot of very talented guys on that list. We have a lot more guys that should be on that list. It's motivating me."

Needless to say, he's not resting on what's an impressive three-year resume.

"Might have led the conference in interceptions, but didn't lead the nation [For the record, Dartmouth's Isiah Swann had nine] and neither did the team," Merritt said. "I want to be number one."

The last BCU player to do that? Rashean Mathis in that 2002 year he won the Buck Buchannan Award for FCS Defensive Player Of The Year. Merritt's an admirer of both Mathis and Nick Collins, who did their thing in the defensive secondary Merritt now patrols.

"I love how both got to the ball," Merritt said. "No matter where they were, whether it was pass or run, they were there. You have to have a different kind of motor to do that. That's where I want to be."

Sims thinks Merritt can be there.

"He's dependable, hard working, and a born leader," Sims said. "You can trust him in any part of the programs. He deserves everything he's getting, and he's going to get a lot more."