Fresno State Athletics
2026 Football Roster
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Jersey Number 9
Merhauti Xepera
- Position:
- DL
- Height:
- 6-3
- Weight:
- 278
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Maricopa, Ariz.
- High School:
- Higley HS
2025 (JUNIOR): Appeared in all 13 games this season … started in five … had 28 tackles … added 6.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, one forced fumble, three quarterback hurries and three pass breakups … had a career-high seven tackles against San Diego State (Oct. 25) … had at least one tackle in all but two games this season … had a forced fumble against Nevada (Oct. 4) … had 1.0 TFL in six different games … had a sack at Hawai’i (Sept. 20) … was a part of a Bulldog defense that held opponents to 285.7 yards per game, the lowest in a season since at least 1992.
2024 (SOPHOMORE): Appeared in 11 games this season … had two tackles … was primarily a special teams contributor … appeared in four games as a rotational defensive lineman ... Academic All-MW.
2023 (R-FRESHMAN): Appeared in 11 games … got his first career start at San Diego State (Nov. 25) … had seven tackles this season … had three tackles twice – at Arizona State (Sept. 16) and vs Kent State (Sept. 23) … also had 1.5 TFL on the season, all coming against Kent State … had a fumble recovery at Arizona State ... Academic All-MW.
2022 (FRESHMAN): Did not participate ... MW scholar athlete ... made the transition from tight end to defensive end in the offseason.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Higley High School in Gilbert, Arizona … No. 37 recruit in Arizona … No. 109 tight end recruit nationally … played tight end and defensive end at Higley HS … three-star recruit … all-region player … also played basketball, where he was a second team all-region selection … volunteered as a powder puff coach.
PERSONAL: From Maricopa, Arizona … full name: Merhauti “Sunny” Xepera … son of Dwight Benesh and Deanna Collay … has four siblings … favorite athlete is Tony Gonzalez because he inspired him as a tight end … biggest athletic thrill is playing in games and scoring touchdowns … had recruiting interest from NAU and Colorado … chose to attend Fresno State because it felt like the perfect place for him ... majoring in Bus Ad-Management
2024 (SOPHOMORE): Appeared in 11 games this season … had two tackles … was primarily a special teams contributor … appeared in four games as a rotational defensive lineman ... Academic All-MW.
2023 (R-FRESHMAN): Appeared in 11 games … got his first career start at San Diego State (Nov. 25) … had seven tackles this season … had three tackles twice – at Arizona State (Sept. 16) and vs Kent State (Sept. 23) … also had 1.5 TFL on the season, all coming against Kent State … had a fumble recovery at Arizona State ... Academic All-MW.
2022 (FRESHMAN): Did not participate ... MW scholar athlete ... made the transition from tight end to defensive end in the offseason.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Higley High School in Gilbert, Arizona … No. 37 recruit in Arizona … No. 109 tight end recruit nationally … played tight end and defensive end at Higley HS … three-star recruit … all-region player … also played basketball, where he was a second team all-region selection … volunteered as a powder puff coach.
PERSONAL: From Maricopa, Arizona … full name: Merhauti “Sunny” Xepera … son of Dwight Benesh and Deanna Collay … has four siblings … favorite athlete is Tony Gonzalez because he inspired him as a tight end … biggest athletic thrill is playing in games and scoring touchdowns … had recruiting interest from NAU and Colorado … chose to attend Fresno State because it felt like the perfect place for him ... majoring in Bus Ad-Management
FB highlight at Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl [12/27/25]
Monday, December 29
Post-Game Press Conference [12/27]
Saturday, December 27
Instant Highlights: Fresno State 18, Miami (Ohio) 3
Saturday, December 27
The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl Media Availability
Wednesday, December 24
