FIU Athletics

2018 (SENIOR): Appeared in seven games at center and offensive guard in 2018, making one start… Was part of an offensive line that allowed a school-record low eight sacks all season, which ranked first in Conference USA and third overall in the nation… Mars helped the FIU offense rank first in average points per game (34.6), total touchdowns (58), total points (450), third-down conversion percentage (46.8), and fourth-down conversion percentage (65.2)… His contributions on the offensive line helped fuel a run game that accounted for 175.8 rush yards per game and 27 total rushing touchdowns, both of which ranked third overall in C-USA… Also helped FIU achieve an average of 4.8 rush yards per carry, which ranked second in C-USA.

2017 (JUNIOR): Appeared in and started 11 games on the offensive line for the Panthers. 

2016 (SOPHOMORE): Appeared all 12 games for the Panthers, starting four at left guard… Part of an offensive line that helped produce 4,503 yards of total offense (No. 4 all-time for yards in a season at FIU)...The Panthers rushed for 1,783 yards (third-most in school history) and produced 2,720 yards through the air...Blocked for the school’s all-time leading rusher (Alex Gardner – 2,272 yards) and FIU’s all-time leader in touchdown passes (Alex McGough – 48); both marks set in 2016...FIU’s offense gained over 200 yards on the ground five times, including a 270-yard performance versus Florida Atlantic (Oct. 1), while gaining over 500 yards of total offense twice…Made first-collegiate start versus UCF (9/24)…Led an offensive line that gained 516 yards of total offensive versus Marshall (11/19)...The Panthers rushed for 259 yards (eighth-most in school history) versus the Thundering Herd...Helped FIU gain 517 total yards, the ninth most in school history, against Middle Tennessee (10/29)...Helped the Panthers gain 499 total yards, including 258 yards on the ground at UTEP (10/8)...Helped the FIU running game rush for a season-high 270 yards on 49 carries against FAU (10/1) in Shula Bowl XV...Saw time in the season-opener versus Indiana (9/1)...Helped the Panthers rack up 268 yards through the air against the Hoosiers.

2015 (FRESHMAN): Appeared in five games for the Panthers...Part of an offensive line that gained 4,173 yards (fifth-most in school history), including 2,854 through the air (second-most in school history)...Helped FIU record a school-record 22 TD passes and 15 rushing TDs (sixth-most in school history)...FIU’s o-line helped the Panthers gain over 400 yards of total offense six times...Aided FIU in scoring multiple TDs on offense in 10 of the team’s 12 games...Helped FIU record 439 yards of total offense (284 through the air), while allowing no sacks versus Charlotte (11/7)...FIU amassed 448 yards of total offense and five touchdowns, including 390 yards through the air versus Old Dominion (10/24) in FIU debut.

PREP CAREER A four-year letterwinner at Fleming Island High School under Head Coach Frank Hall…Earned Second-Team All-First Coast honors for his play in 2014…A three-year starter for Fleming Island…First-Team All-Conference and First-Team All-County as a senior…A 2013 All-First Coast Honorable Mention selection at offensive line…Named Jacksonville Times Union First Coast Honorable Mention in 2013…Also earned all-conference honorable mention honors that same year.

PERSONAL INFO: Parents – Neal Clark Mars, Jr., and Jennifer Otero…Siblings - Colton Otero, Alexis McMinn, Areial Ward and Sydney Ward...Majoring in criminal justice.