Let’s predict some scores.

Predictions Record:
2024 Record: 37-15
2023 Record: 96-42

Week 7 Top 5 Games

Week 7 Viewing Guide

No. 7 Idaho at No. 3 Montana State

Montana State has the best rushing attack in the FCS, led by future NFL prospects on the o-line Marcus Wehr and Conner Moore. Julius Davis, MSU’s top running back last year, hasn’t played yet this fall. Neither has All-American center Justus Perkins. But Scottre Humphrey (668 yards, 8 TDs) and Adam Jones (418 yards, 4 TDs) have formed a good 1-2 punch. The Bobcats are averaging 303.3 rushing yards per game, which is No. 2 in the FCS behind the option attack of Davidson.

Tommy Mellott is making good decisions, both with his arm (12 TDs, 0 INT) and his legs by not putting himself in harm’s way. It’ll be interesting to see if that “business decision” mindset (which is what he and MSU need) continues in the heat of the moment during tight games. Does MSU fall in love with the QB run game again when they need a big third-down conversion or a score in the red zone?

Idaho has one of the best defensive front seven in the FCS, led by LB Jaxton Eck (45 tackles), DE Keyshawn James-Newby (8 sacks), and DT Dallas Afalava (3.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks). The Vandals own the No. 8 rush defense, allowing 93.3 YPG.

This is now Idaho’s fifth straight ranked FCS opponent after starting the season with back-to-back FBS games. The Vandals have key players sidelined with injuries, while other key players are playing but fighting through injuries. MSU, while also dealing with some injuries, hasn’t been tested against FCS competition and has been able to spread the reps around.

I think Idaho may run into a buzzsaw here. The injuries, the road fatigue, the choppy QB play, the Bobcat Stadium environment, the revenge factor for MSU, and the Cats just being that good will be overwhelming.

Montana State gets a statement victory and wins by three scores.

RELATED: What’s At Stake For MSU vs. Idaho?

Prediction: Montana State 35-17

No. 24 Northern Arizona at No. 14 Montana

A pivotal game for both squads.

NAU wants to prove it is for real after beating then-No. 10 Sac State and losing to No. 10 Idaho by just one score despite losing starting quarterback Ty Pennington in the first half due to injury.

It can also be a turning point for Montana. While having an elite offense, the Grizzlies have allowed 35, 49, and 55 points in the last three games, jarring numbers for this program. Last week saw a 55-48 loss to unranked Weber State. At 4-2, another loss this week puts a serious question mark next to Montana’s playoff hopes. A win sets up the Griz for a likely 7-2 record heading into the final three games of the regular season.

The status of Pennington is unknown as of this writing. He is listed on this week’s depth chart, for whatever that is worth. Regardless, a motivated Montana defense with perhaps a simpler game plan looks to take a step in the right direction. They don’t have to be dominant like last year, just show signs of improvement as the offense is one of the best in the country.

Simply put, it’s hard to see Montana losing in consecutive weeks at home.

Prediction: Montana 38-27

No. 2 North Dakota State at Southern Illinois

Quarterback health is a storyline going into this one.

SIU is down to its third-string QB. Starter DJ Williams has been sidelined with a hand injury. And last week, Hunter Simmons suffered a broken leg. True freshman Jake Curry will make his starting debut on Saturday.

For NDSU, Walter Payton Award frontrunner Cam Miller exited last week’s game and it didn’t look good as he went back to the locker room with an ankle injury. But the x-ray was clean. It appears he’ll give it a go this week. At least that’s what he and head coach Tim Polasek are saying publicly. A sprained ankle could linger, and does NDSU really want to put their franchise QB out there at less than 100 percent with No. 1 SDSU coming up next week? Or do you fall into a trap game if you do sit Miller more out of precaution than necessity?

The Bison are clicking on all fronts right now, coming off of back-to-back dominant wins over ranked opponents. And SIU is sliding the other way, getting bitten by so many injuries across the 2-deep. We’ll see if the Salukis can put together a spirited effort in front of their Homecoming crowd. But NDSU will be too much and pull away in the second half.

Prediction: NDSU 34-14

Nicholls at No. 15 UIW

Last year, Nicholls made a statement in its 45-32 win over UIW, a game it led 45-19 early in the fourth quarter. UIW couldn’t stop the run, allowing 331 yards.

UIW looks improved against the run this year, and it’ll have to contend with Collin Guggenheim again, who is up to 456 rushing yards and five touchdowns. The Cardinals are on a two-game winning streak after losing to No. 1 SDSU and a healthy/ranked SIU team. They dominated Northern Arizona (which has aged well with NAU now ranked) and Prairie View A&M.

Nicholls also rides a two-game winning streak, beating Mississippi Valley State and Southern by a combined score of 117-7. This is after an 0-3 start with two FBS losses and a loss to ranked Sac State.

If UIW wants to keep climbing the rankings, it needs a win here. Zach Calzada and his two stud targets Jalen Walthall and Roy Alexander hit on some explosive plays to win a nail-biter in the final minute.

RELATED: Resumes For The Top 10 Ranked FCS Teams

Prediction: UIW 31-28

Princeton at No. 8 Mercer

A fun Ivy League vs. SoCon matchup.

Princeton is currently 1-2, beating Howard and losing to Lehigh and Columbia.

Mercer is 5-0 with two then-ranked wins over Chattanooga and Wofford. The Bears are elite defensively. They rank No. 1 in FCS rushing defense, allowing an incredible 29.2 yards per game and 1.17 yards per attempt. Their 7.8 points allowed per game is No. 2, trailing Butler’s 6.0.

Veterans Isaac Dowling (28 tackles) and Ken Standley (24 tackles, 3.5 TFLs) lead the defense at linebacker while LB Marques Thomas (24 tackles, 6 TFLs) has also played at a high level.

The offense has been solid as well, scoring 32.8 points per game. Mercer is too complete of a team to drop this one.

Prediction: Mercer 28-10

More FCS Predictions

No. 23 Chattanooga at Furman

Chattanooga came back on the national radar after beating ranked ETSU last week. The Mocs are now 2-3 overall after a 0-3 start, although two losses were to FBS opponents and the third a one-score loss to Mercer, who is now ranked in the Top 10. Furman has fallen off some after its quarterfinal run last year. The Paladins are 2-3, but they’ll be a tough out for any SoCon team in the competitive league. Chattanooga wins, but it’ll be a battle.

Prediction: Chattanooga 24-17

Tennessee Tech at No. 11 SEMO

Tennessee Tech is 2-3 overall, but it is 2-1 vs. FCS competition and 2-0 in the Big South-OVC standings, beating TN State and Gardner-Webb. SEMO will be too much, though. The Redhawks are 5-1 overall with a near FBS win. Veteran QB Paxton DeLaurent is playing at an All-American level, throwing for 1,669 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Dorian Anderson is already up to 572 receiving yards and six scores.

Prediction: SEMO 35-21

Stephen F. Austin at No. 22 Lamar

Lamar is 3-2 overall and 3-1 vs. the FCS, climbing into the rankings after it beat then-No. 20 Weber State 17-16. But it hasn’t looked great since, beating Texas Southern 20-17 and losing to then-No. 7 Central Arkansas 34-14. TSU is currently 2-3 with only one D1 win. SFA has looked solid in recent weeks, improving to 3-2 with two dominant wins over Northern Colorado and Northwestern State. The two losses were competitive games at FBS North Texas and at McNeese, who has been ranked this year. My upset picks haven’t hit at a great rate this year, but let’s go with SFA knocking off ranked Lamar.

Prediction: SFA 28-24

Brown at No. 19 Rhode Island

Brown is out to a 2-1 start, beating Georgetown and Harvard before losing to Bryant. Rhody is off to a strong start record-wise, sitting at 4-1 overall and 4-0 vs. the FCS. Rhody is definitely a rankable team, but you can poke at its close wins — beating Holy Cross (2-4) by three points, Campbell (2-4) by 12, LIU (0-6) by seven, and needing two overtimes to beat Hampton (3-3) by two. Rhody keeps the winning going this week. This could be a playoff team this year, but there are currently no ranked teams on the schedule (although at FBS-transitioning Delaware will be a good test).

The CAA being such a big league can be a blessing for the league. Unbalanced scheduling will lead to several teams with playoff-worthy records. But it could be a curse, too. How does the playoff committee view an 8-win CAA team that didn’t play any ranked opponents? It’ll be fascinating to see play out in what could be a packed bubble with the 12-game season.

Prediction: Rhody 31-17

Youngstown State at No. 1 South Dakota State

Hobo Day and a week before going to No. 2 NDSU? A trap game for the Jackrabbits? Maybe a fair thought in the preseason, but YSU has underwhelmed this year at 2-4. SDSU made a statement last week at UNI and should roll again this weekend.

Prediction: SDSU 35-10

The post Week 7 FCS Predictions appeared first on HERO Sports.

Harvard went 8-2 overall in 2023, including a Senior Day, championship-clinching, triple-overtime win over Penn. The next week, the Crimson fell to Yale 23-18 in The Game, getting the Bulldogs their share of the Ivy championship and embodying the weekly thrills of late-season Ivy ball.

November in the Ivy League, of course, carries special significance as the conference holds out from the FCS playoffs and its would-be auto-bid to the dance. The league title is the ultimate, and really sole, crown for these historic rivals, the majority of which see more transfers out than in – yet the programs’ depth in the upper echelon of the league almost guarantees a photo finish.

Preseason All-Americans

Via FCS Football Central

Brown (1) – DB Isaiah Reed (2nd Team)

Penn (1) – WR Jared Richardson (2nd Team)

Names To Know

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Jared Richardson, Penn WR — Richardson lit it up last year, breaking out for the Quakers with team highs in receptions (67), receiving yards (788), and receiving touchdowns (8). In order for Penn to crack the ceiling formed by Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, and Princeton atop the Ivy, the Quakers will have to score at a rate even better than last season’s 26.2 PPG. Richardson, a 6-2, 215-pound junior, will have a large hand in that – though it will be intriguing to see defenses give him extra attention after his 2023 turned heads.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Isaiah Reed, Brown DB — Reed, in fairness, has a great argument to occupy his teammate’s slot as a top NFL prospect (below). The 6-0, 185-pound ballhawk led the Ivy League in interceptions a year ago with five. All five picks came against Ivy opponents that finished ahead of Brown in the standings. Reed is all over the place on the national radar, appearing on the Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list this preseason in addition to the Buck Buchanan Award watch list and a 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 selection. Reed’s Brown defense will need his takeaways to get off the field if last year’s 30.1 PPG allowed in Ivy action doesn’t improve.

TOP NFL PROSPECT: Jake Willcox, Brown QB — Willcox is guided by Bears quarterbacks coach Heather Marini, the first female position coach in Division I history who remains the only female position coach in DI in 2024. Willcox’s play adds to that great story. The fifth-year QB has ascended since first getting starts in 2022. A year ago, Willcox led the Ivy League with 2,924 passing yards and concluded second in the Ivy with 18 touchdown passes. He was asked to sling it as a senior, wrapping up at 292.4 passing yards per game to go with 28.5 completions per game. The former figure made Willcox the top returning FCS passer per game entering this fall. With another productive year, it’s possible that the Everett, Massachusetts native follows the footsteps of fellow Brown QB (turned NFL practice squad member) EJ Perry.   

HERO Sports’ Predicted Order of Finish

1. Harvard
2. Penn
3. Yale
4. Princeton
5. Dartmouth
6. Brown
7. Columbia
8. Cornell

The Ivy League has long been something of a unicorn in the FCS (let alone its academic prestige), as its slightly shorter regular season tradition throws national fans off its calendar to an extent. Some of these fans might discount the Ivy for its postseason choice, but the conference is also a one-score-game factory at times, producing ample excitement with some of the subdivision’s legendary brands. All battle for similar recruits in similar areas. 

One storied brand, Harvard, returns a great deal of production to make a run. The Crimson are experienced with top QBs Charles DePrima and Jaden Craig back in the fold. That’s not to mention the return of Shane McLaughlin, the 2023 Ivy League rushing leader with 830 yards on 155 attempts. Top wide receiver Cooper Barkate adds to the list of reliable faces for first-year Harvard head coach Andrew Aurich. Former head coach Tim Murphy retired in January after three decades steering the Crimson. Murphy left Aurich a good situation in Cambridge, albeit with the obvious big shoes to fill following that longevity.

It’s also a situation with high competition for first place this season. Penn brings back quarterback Aidan Sayin as a senior. His 279.1 passing yards per game were fifth in the FCS last season. Yale, meanwhile, has to be one of the premier preseason No. 3s in any FCS conference. The Bulldogs are coming off the Nolan Grooms era at QB, but they maintain numerous all-conference types in 2022 Ivy League Rookie of the Year RB Josh Pitsenberger, 6-4 tight end Ry Yates, and defensive lineman Dylan Yang.

One of the more remarkable parts of the Ivy League order is that Princeton, Dartmouth, and Brown create a rock-solid tier in the middle. Only one of these three teams can find the top half of the projection here, though, and Princeton is trustworthy under Bob Surace. Even in a down year (by the Tigers’ standards) a year ago at 5-5, there were wins over Harvard and Penn alongside one-score losses to Lafayette, Brown, Dartmouth, and Yale.

It’s worth noting that the Ivy’s start this week means that we will begin to see some more interesting nonconference meetings trickling in in the northeast. These involve Ivy programs unafraid of testing matchups that would hypothetically make for nice playoff games regionally:

Week 1 – Yale at Holy Cross, Penn at (FBS-transitioning) Delaware

Week 3 – New Hampshire at Harvard, UAlbany at Cornell 

Week 4 – Brown at Rhode Island, Princeton at Mercer

The post 2024 Ivy League Football Preview appeared first on HERO Sports.

The poll was voted on by 16 media members.

2024 Ivy League Football Preseason Poll

1. Yale – 114 (6)
2. Harvard – 108 (7)
3. Penn – 88 (2)
4. Princeton – 80 (1)
4. Dartmouth –  80
6. Brown – 56
7. Cornell – 26
8. Columbia – 24

(First-place votes)

The post 2024 Ivy League Football Preseason Poll appeared first on HERO Sports.

While the list you see below has players who can – and in some cases do – technically play at different spots on defense, this list is made up of players who at least some scouts see as more of an “outside linebacker” prospect. It’s an impressive and accomplished group.

So take a look, conference by conference, at some key players returning to the FCS level as OLB prospects.

RELATED: Best Returning FCS Inside LB In Each Conference

BIG SKY

Riley Wilson, Montana, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 53 tackles, 15 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, 6 hurries

Wilson was an immediate star on the defensive side of the ball for the national runner-up Griz. He has already turned the heads of scouts, being rated the third-best edge rusher in his class (2026) by Pro Football Focus, and he carries All-America honors into his second year in the FCS, as well as preseason All-Big Sky honors. While he started only two games, he played in 13 of the team’s 15 in the run to the national title game in January in Frisco (two were missed due to injury). He led Montana with 8.5 sacks and had a stat-crazy day against Northern Colorado when he posted 4 TFLs/3 sacks. In the national title game against South Dakota State, he had 5 tackles and a TFL. Before last year, he played in 16 career games at FBS Hawaii, mainly on special teams. 

BIG SOUTH-OVC

Ethan Stuhlsatz, Lindenwood, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 70 tackles, 3 hurries

Stuhlsatz made an instant impact last year as a junior college transfer, taking Second Team All-Big South-OVC honors and finishing fifth in the conference last year in tackles. He posted 10+ tackles in four games and forced two fumbles. Before last fall, he played at Butler Community College in Kansas, finishing with 24 tackles, two TFLs, and one INT in 2022 as a sophomore, including five tackles in the Heart of Texas Bowl, a JUCO postseason game.

CAA 

Brendan Bell, Villanova, Grad.

2023 STAT LINE: 89 tackles, 11.5 TFLs

Bell was named Second Team All-CAA by the league last year, ranking second on the team in tackles and leading the program in tackles for loss. He seemed to show brightest when the game was against the Wildcats’ toughest opponents, as he posted 14 tackles and an INT against New Hampshire, 12 tackles and a TFL against Delaware, nine tackles and three hurries in the FCS playoffs against Youngstown State, and seven tackles, a TFL and a forced fumble against South Dakota State in the FCS quarterfinals. And don’t forget the nine tackles and two TFLs against FBS UCF. He didn’t beef up his numbers against weaker teams.

IVY

Kadari Machen, Penn, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 56 tackles, 6.5 TFLs

Machen got stronger as the season progressed last year, starting in the final seven games at strongside linebacker – posting 8-tackle games down the stretch against Columbia and Cornell in Ivy League play. He finished third on the team in solo tackles and TFLs. He comes from a family of standout football players, as his father played at Stanford, one brother played at Georgia Tech, and another brother plays for Harvard. 

MEAC

Daylan Long, Norfolk State, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 41 tackles, 8 TFLs

Long was named to the All-MEAC Second Team in 2023, starting 10 games for the Spartans and playing some of his best football against FBS Temple (6 tackles) and the CAA’s Towson (5 tackles). He began his playing career at FBS Miami (OH) but transferred in and has now played in 21 career games for the Spartans. He plays the “Wing” in Norfolk State’s defensive alignment, and has already shown he can thrive in that spot.

MVFC

Amir Abdullah, Illinois State, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 64 tackles, 14 TFLs, 9.5 sacks

Abdullah, a Chicago native, was named an All-American on several media outlets’ lists after last fall. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound stalwart is already being looked at by pro scouts and they seem to like what they see based on several ratings. He was one of the top statistical leaders in TFLs last year, and should only improve on those numbers. Also, keep an eye on North Dakota State’s Logan Kopp in the MVFC.

2024 Preseason Preview Central

PATRIOT

Frankie Monte, Holy Cross, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 66 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 hurries

It has been a special couple of years at Holy Cross, and Monte is just one of the reasons for it. He has already been named preseason All-Patriot League and was elected team captain by his teammates. He was second on the team last year in tackles, posting a career-high 13 tackles in the game against FBS Army. He has performed in 35 career games and will be relied upon heavily in 2024.

PIONEER

Aiden McKinley, Dayton, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 87 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 3 forced fumbles

McKinley, who hails from Kentucky, has already played in 21 career games and is only halfway through his career – yet he exploded onto the scene in 2023. He was named an honorable mention All-Pioneer Football League selection last year. He turned heads when he posted more tackles in his first career start against MVFC power Illinois State (15) than he did his entire freshman season of 2022 (14).

SOCON

Ray Coney, ETSU, Soph.

2023 STAT LINE: 47 tackles

Coney, a native of Ohio, made a name for himself nationally when he was named to the Phil Steele Freshman All-American team, as well as the All-SoCon Freshman team. Coming out of high school, he had the opportunity to play on scholarship at FBS schools like Army, Navy, Air Force, and Bowling Green, but the Buccaneers won the recruiting battle.

SOUTHLAND

Eli Ennis, Nicholls, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 44 tackles, 5 TFLs

This Alabama native has been a solid contributor from day one for the Colonels, already contributing 20 career games of service, 89 career tackles, and 15 TFLs. He was a Freshman All-American selection with several media outlets and a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award. His stock will only rise in 2024. 

SWAC

Jacob Williams, Texas Southern, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 106 tackles, 18.5 TFLs, 8 sacks

Williams led the team in tackles last year. He posted 62 tackles and had six TFLs the year before in 2022. He will surpass the 200 career tackles mark this year and may very well clear 300 by season’s end – and he is multi-faceted enough to man more than one defensive position, showing his versatility. Williams is among the top returning FCS leaders in TFLs and will be active all year. Also, keep an eye on Bethune-Cookman’s Dearis Thomas.

UAC

Demetrias Charles, Central Arkansas, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 72 tackles, 4 hurries

Charles is an interesting pick for this spot because he has proven himself playing on the inside, but pro scouting lists like Draft Scout actually like his potential at outside linebacker – so we chose to include him here as he is clearly one of the top linebacking talents returning in the UAC. 

The post The Best Returning 2024 FCS Outside Linebacker In Each Conference appeared first on HERO Sports.

While the list you see below has players who could also play outside, this list is made up of players who scouts see as more of an interior prospect at linebacker. It’s an impressive and accomplished group.

So take a look, conference by conference, at some key players returning to the FCS level as ILB prospects.

RELATED: Top 25 Returning FCS Linebackers Nationally

BIG SKY

Will Leota, Sacramento State, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: At Utah Tech: 75 tackles, 4 TFLs

Leota is a Utah Tech transfer who picked up All-UAC honors last year. He turned heads early in the year when he posted nine tackles and a TFL against FCS national powerhouse Montana early in the year. Many of the Big Sky’s top interior linebackers from 2023 have moved on, and Leota could fill that void when it comes to postseason accolades.

BIG SOUTH-OVC

Bryce Norman, SEMO, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 87 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 5 sacks, 1 INT

Norman, an in-state product, led his team in tackles last fall in 10 games. He also posted 119 tackles as a sophomore in 2022 and 66 as a freshman in 2021 – so he’s no stranger to being productive and also has 22.5 career tackles for loss to prove it. He’s also a legacy, as his father Brandon was a two-time All-OVC selection at SEMO.

CAA 

Shane Hartzell, Villanova, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 91 tackles, 6 TFLs, 4 sacks, 1 INT

Hartzell, an in-state product, is considered one of the top FCS products at inside linebacker in the 2026 class by Draft Scout, and he’s been recognized as one of the top overall players in the FCS at the ILB position by several media outlets. He’s been a key contributor for the Wildcats for the past two seasons. The CAA is loaded with good ones this year.

IVY

Anthony Roussos, Columbia, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 93 tackles, 10.5 TFLs

Roussos, a Florida native, was selected a First Team All-Ivy League performer by several outlets last year and was second in the Ivy League in tackles (93 in 10 games). Considering that pace, he ended up being a top 10 performer in the nation in the FCS by averaging 5.7 solo tackles per game, while also standing out as one of the nation’s top inside/middle linebackers when it came to negative yardage plays (10.5 tackles for loss). His older brother Mike Roussos also has played at Columbia.

MEAC

Erick Hunter, Morgan State, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 75 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 2 INTs, 3 sacks

Hunter was a member of several HBCU All-American teams in 2023, and he comes into 2024 at No. 10 in the school record books with 188 career tackles. He is an in-state product of Capitol Heights, Md., and is one of the Bear’s top individuals coming into this fall. South Carolina State’s Aaron Smith is also very special.

MVFC

Adam Bock, South Dakota State, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 65 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 2 sacks in 10 games (due to injury)

Bock, an Iowa native, dealt with injury issues in both of the last two seasons, but when it comes to his play during the postseason – he’s been stellar. In both national championship seasons, he’s made plays through the FCS playoffs that were absolutely critical to the Jackrabbits’ finishes. Indiana State’s Garret Ollendieck and Illinois State youngster Tye Niekamp should also impress, among several good ILBs returning to the MVFC.

NEC

Gianni Rizzo, Duquense, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 68 tackles, 10 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 2 FF

Rizzo, a Scond Team All-NEC selection with multiple media outlets, is an in-state product out of North Huntington, Pa. He started all 12 games last year, including the first-round FCS playoff game where he recorded 11 tackles against the MVFC’s Youngstown State. 

PATRIOT

James Conway, Fordham, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 129 tackles, 6 TFLs, 2 FF

Conway may be playing football in New York City for the Rams, but he’s a Nebraska native. It turns out he was the perfect fit for the Patriot League as he set a freshman record at Fordham with 131 tackles in 2021. He comes into 2024 with 386 career tackles – good for third all-time on the school list. He had 12 solo tackles with a TFL and a fumble recovery in the Rams’ win over FBS Buffalo. Keep an eye on Lehigh’s Mike DeNucci, too.

PIONEER

Alex Herriott, Presbyterian, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 118 tackles, 9 TFLs, 2.5 sacks

Herriott, an in-state product out of Hanahan HS in South Carolina, is now fifth in school history for total tackles with 272 accumulated already with one year to go. He was a First Team All-Pioneer Football League selection. A starter since his freshman season in the fall of 2021, he posted back-to-back 16-tackle contests last fall against Marist and Davidson in conference games.

SOCON

Noah Martin, Samford, Grad.

2023 STAT LINE: 109 tackles, 14.5 tackles, 3.5 sacks

Martin, a Tennessee native of the prestigious Baylor School in Chattanooga, led the Bulldogs in tackles – by 40+ over the next player last year (Jaden Mosley with 61). He was the man in the middle. When he played against Auburn, he had five tackles, a TFL, and a QB hurry in the game, and against playoff-bound Mercer? He posted 14 tackles, a TFL, and a hurry. Mercer’s Isaac Dowling and Ken Standley and ETSU’s William McRainey are also good ones in the SoCon.

SOUTHLAND

Micah Davey, McNeese, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 153 tackles, 7 TFLs

If Davey’s name seems familiar, it’s because he’s the son of former LSU and NFL quarterback Rohan Davey. Micah has a fiery style of play and exploded onto the scene last year after turning heads as a freshman in 2022. He has flat-out turned out to be one of the nation’s top machines at interior linebacker and could very well turn out to be McNeese’s next pro draft pick – and he has two years of eligibility left.

SWAC

Rico Dozier, Alabama State, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: At Arkansas-Pine Bluff: 128 tackles, 6.5 TFLs

Dozier, an Alabama native, has come home to complete his college career after spending three seasons at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, where he finished with 210 tackles and 17.5 sacks during that duration. He was named a First Team All-SWAC linebacker with the Golden Lions last year, and racked up 17 tackles in one game against Alabama A&M. Overall he had 10 or more tackles in nine of UAPB’s 11 games in 2023.

UAC

Kohner Cullimore, Southern Utah, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 73 tackles, 10 TFLs, 5 hurries

Cullimore, an Arizona native, is expected to be a key component of what makes the Thunderbirds’ defense work in 2024. He was an All-UAC performer as a sophomore last year, making the first team with some outlets.

The post The Best Returning 2024 FCS Inside Linebacker In Each Conference appeared first on HERO Sports.

The FCS is loaded with good ones, but we picked one per conference that we think will be pretty good this fall – and is likely heading towards heavy accolades come December.

Take a look, conference by conference.

RELATED: Top 30 Returning FCS Safeties Nationally

BIG SKY

Tyreese Shakir, Portland State, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 53 tackles, 8 TFLs, 1 INT (5 career INTs, 14 career passes defended)

Shakir is a California native and has been a starter at strong safety or rover since his freshman season in 2021 – with 25 career starts to his name. Last year he posted big games against rivals like Eastern Washington (10 tackles, INT, etc.) and UC Davis (11 tackles) to help lead the Vikings. He’ll be critical in the secondary this year. Others like UC Davis’ Rex Connors, Idaho’s Tommy McCormick, Montana State’s Rylan Ortt, and Northern Arizona’s Alex McLaughlin are just a few of the other good ones in the Big Sky.

BIG SOUTH-OVC

Tim Coutras, Tennessee Tech, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 55 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 4 INT

Coutras began his playing career at Liberty University but came home to Tennessee after 2021 and 2022 playing at the Virginia school. Against FBS New Mexico last year, Coutras had a team-leading six tackles. Eastern Illinois is expected to have a good secondary, also, with players like SS Tienne Fridge leading the way.

CAA 

Caleb Curtain, Elon, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 80 tackles, 4 INTs, 6 passes defended, 6.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks

Curtain is an in-state talent who picked up several All-American honors last fall as a sophomore and is considered a pro prospect. He opened eyes in 2023 by returning an interception 50 yards for a touchdown against the ACC’s Wake Forest. 

IVY

Ty Bartrum, Harvard, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 78 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 3 INTs (1 TD), 4 passes defended

Bartrum, an Ohio native, was an All-Ivy League performer in just his first full season of action for the Crimson. He showed last year that not only could he be relied on as a hitter on defense (78 tackles), but he also could make a big play like with his 96-yard touchdown return off an interception against St. Thomas (MN). Penn’s Shiloh Means would also fit well here.

MEAC

Kenny Gallop Jr., Howard, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 65 tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 INTs, 3 passes defended

Gallop, a Virginia native, has been labeled a pro prospect for the defending MEAC champions. He’s no stranger to postseason accolades, being named an HBCU All-American in 2022 before picking up all kinds of honors last fall.

MVFC

Cole Wisniewski, North Dakota State, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 8 INTs, 92 tackles, 13 passes defended

Wisniewski seems like he’s been making plays for the Bison for a decade now. The FCS’s No. 1 free safety prospect has already been in 47 career games in Fargo, picking up 194 tackles. Last year he led the nation in interceptions (8), taking one back 75 yards for a touchdown and racking up 239 total yards in interception return yardage. Another stellar safety is Keondre Jackson out of Illinois State, considered one of the – if not the – best strong safety prospects in the FCS this year. The MVFC is full of good safeties this year.

NEC

Kimal Clark, Central Connecticut State, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 89 tackles, 3 TFLs, 3 INT

Clark was an All-NEC First Team selection last year as a sophomore and is expected to explode from here on for the next two seasons. The New York state native tied for the NEC lead in tackles with 89 and will be leaned on heavily this fall at CCSU.

PATRIOT

Saiku White, Lafayette, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 77 tackles, 4 INTs, 5.5 TFLs, 8 passes defended

White, who hails from talent-rich Georgia, became a mainstay for the dangerous Leopards last fall and is expected to be a key part of what looks like a 2024 powerhouse at the Pennsylvania school. He became a team leader and picked up postseason honors, and Draft Scout lists him as one of the top strong safety prospects in the FCS.

PIONEER

Nick Bafia, Butler, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 65 tackles, 7 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, 1 INT

Bafia, an Illinois native, has been a mainstay for the Bulldogs for two seasons now. He was a first-team All-Pioneer performer last fall and led his team in tackles as a junior. He showed he could play with the top teams in the FCS when he racked up 12 tackles against Montana and had six tackles against South Dakota State in 2022.

SOCON

Amir Annoor, Wofford, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 32 tackles, 6 passes defended, 1.5 TFL

Annoor, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound multi-dimensional prospect out of Tennessee, has played most of his Wofford career at cornerback. But to show how highly he’s regarded; he’s listed as the No. 2 free safety prospect out of the FCS by Draft Scout. He has started games for the Terriers since 2021.

SOUTHLAND

Tyler Morton, Nicholls, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 63 tackles, 4 INTs, 11 passes defended

Morton, an in-state product out of St. Rose, La., has been contributing since his true freshman season of 2021. He was recognized last year as an All-American by several media outlets, and his career stats (143 tackles, 6 INTs, 16 passes defended) prove he is a playmaker.

SWAC

Emari Pait, Alabama A&M, Soph.

2023 STAT LINE: 49 tackles, 4 INTs, 6 passes defended 

Pait began his career at Fresno State and he’s a California native, but he found his college home last fall with Alabama A&M. He’s a playmaker, active in the pass defense and forcing turnovers – while also being a reliable tackler when needed. An All-SWAC selection with several outlets last fall, he has a lot of college football left to play.

UAC

TaMuarion Wilson, Central Arkansas, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 64 tackles, 2 INTs, 8 passes defended, 5.5 TFLs

Wilson, an in-state product out of Bryant High School in Arkansas, has been productive since day one for the Bears. He has played in 41 games for UCA and is considered the No. 2 strong safety prospect out of the FCS by Draft Scout. Wilson and Eastern Kentucky SS prospect Mike Smith are just two of the special safeties residing in the UAC this year.

INDEPENDENT

Tre Jordan III, Merrimack, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 3 INTs, 27 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 5 passes defended in just 8 games

Jordan, a Maryland product, has played in 29 games for the Warriors and did so much in his eight games that he was recognized as an All-NEC performer. This year, Merrimack is an FCS independent, but Jordan will hardly slip under the radar if he keeps up the pace of what he’s done so far in college.

The post The Best Returning 2024 FCS Safety In Each Conference appeared first on HERO Sports.

Whether he’s a master of the interception, or he is a sticky-cover kind of guy – we’re going to take a look at the talent, conference by conference.

Take a look at the best CBs by conference.

RELATED: Top 30 Returning FCS Cornerbacks Nationally

BIG SKY

Trevin Gradney, Montana, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 5 INTs, 12 passes defended, 27 tackles

Gradney, an in-state talent from Billings, has been an All-Big Sky kind of talent for the Griz since he first got on the field in 2020-21. He started out as a special teams standout, and last year he ascended to become an All-American at corner. Draft Scout has him as the No. 3 cornerback prospect in the FCS this year. Gradney’s not the only good CB coming into 2024, as Idaho’s Abraham Williams and Montana State’s Jon Johnson are also highly regarded.

BIG SOUTH-OVC

Oshae Baker, UT Martin, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 49 tackles, 9 passes defended, 6.5 TFLs

Baker is a native Floridian – a hotbed for talented defensive backs. He has proven he is versatile, starting games at corner and safety during his special career with the Skyhawks. He also has been a special teams standout as a returner. One of his better games in 2023 was against Georgia (5+ tackles, forced fumble). Also a star? Eastern Illinois CB Kaleb Lyons comes to the Panthers after posting 6 INTs last year at Morehead State, and SEMO’s Joedrick Lewis is really strong, too.

CAA 

Isas Waxter, Villanova, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 26 tackles, 3 INTs, 4 TFL, 11 passes defended

Waxter missed the entire 2022 season with an injury but came back strong last year and ended up an All-CAA selection. He’s an outstanding cover corner and has turned heads with pro scouts. A New Jersey native, he has been a mainstay in the program – even starting two games for the Wildcats as a true freshman in 2019. The CAA also has New Hampshire’s Wande Owens and North Carolina A&T’s Karon Prunty.

IVY

Isaiah Reed, Brown, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 50 tackles, 5 INTs, 8 passes defended

A Florida native, Reed has been a contributor for three seasons and has another to go. He has caught the eye of scouts, but before he thinks about that, he has the chance to help the Bears have their best season in several years. Dartmouth’s Jordan Washington is also expected to be strong.

MEAC

Carson Hinton, Howard, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 50 tackles, 4.5 TFLs

Hinton, a Detroit native, was a key part of the MEAC championship season with the Bison in 2023. He started off the year with a 6-tackle game against FBS Eastern Michigan, and a few weeks later he had a special game against the Big Ten’s Northwestern (8 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack). He has even played some WR in his Howard career (11 receptions in 2021). Also, keep an eye on Carlvainsky Decius at Morgan State.

MVFC

Dalys Beanum, South Dakota State, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 29 tackles, 5 INTs, 12 passes defended

Beanum, a Nebraska native, is listed as the No. 1 cornerback prospect in the FCS by Draft Scout coming into the 2024 season. He has played in 52 games in his career, has 11 career interceptions and 2 TDs, along with 29 passes defended. South Dakota’s Shahid Barros and Southern Illinois’ David Miller are also stellar.

NEC

CJ Barnes, Duquesne, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 60 tackles, 3 passes defended

Barnes has played at free safety for three years at Duquesne but was considered a cornerback prospect coming out of Lake Gibson HS in Florida when he was a recruit. He is considered a pro prospect at corner by some outlets, FS with others. Last year he started 11 games and helped his team reach the FCS playoffs – registering 10 tackles against Youngstown State in the first round.

PATRIOT

Nahil Perkins, Fordham, Grad.

2023 STAT LINE: 62 tackles, 17 passes defended, 3 INTs

Perkins will be a team captain this fall and is coming off of a First Team All-Patriot League season for the Rams. He’s a part of a solid secondary coming back. He led the league in passes broken up in 2023. The cornerback is a Georgia native. One of his top 2023 games was against FBS Buffalo (8 tackles, 6 solo).

PIONEER

Eric Haney, San Diego, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 41 tackles, 2 INTs, 5 TFLs

Haney is not only a solid All-Pioneer League cornerback for the Toreros, but he’s also a standout return man. San Diego played well in the final five games of 2023 and is looking to turn things around after a 4-7 season, and Haney will be a key part of that resurgence.

SOCON

CJ Williams, Western Carolina, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 59 tackles, 8 passes defended, 3 TFLs

Williams, an Alabama native, is 31 games into his Western Carolina career. He really broke out in 2023 and is respected as the No. 5 cornerback prospect in the FCS according to Draft Scout. WCU had a breakout year in 2023 and looks to take it another step this fall, and Williams will be relied upon there.

SOUTHLAND

Bruce Harmon, Stephen F. Austin, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 20 tackles, 9 passes broken up

Harmon, an in-state talent who played at Rockwall-Heath, opened up 2023 with six tackles and three passes broken up against FBS Troy and never looked back. An All-Conference selection last year in the UAC, he’s now in the Southland and will be a key member of any success the Lumberjacks have.

SWAC

Kendall Bohler, Florida A&M, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 39 tackles, 14 passes defended, 2 TFLs

Bohler, who hails from the Orlando area of Florida, began his college career at Mercer but has really blossomed with the Rattlers. He was a First Team All-SWAC selection for the HBCU national champs with several media outlets. 

UAC

A.J. Seay, North Alabama, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 25 tackles, 2 INTs, 6 passes defended

This Georgia native began his FCS career at Presbyterian and now is turning heads at North Alabama – with at least two years to go. He was listed as an All-UAC performer last year as a sophomore by Phil Steele Magazine. 

The post The Best Returning 2024 FCS Cornerback In Each Conference appeared first on HERO Sports.

While putting this list together – by conference – we took several variables into account. In some cases, individuals below starred at defensive tackle or Bandit LB because that’s what his team needed him to do, but he is viewed as a better pure prospect at defensive end. Keep that in mind.

There are still several special FCS defensive ends returning this fall. Take a look, conference by conference: 

BIG SKY

Elijah Ponder, Cal Poly, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 52 tackles, 13 TFLs, 10 sacks, 17 hurries

Considered a returning All-American by several outlets, as well as a potential NFL Draft pick next year, Ponder has racked up 19.5 sacks and 31 tackles for loss during his career so far and undoubtedly will flesh out those numbers considerably in 2024. He also showed how athletic he was as a redshirt freshman in 2021 when he returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown. There are so many good players to choose from in the Big Sky, starting with Ponder but also considering Brody Grebe (Montana State), Brayden Wilson (Weber State), and talented underclassman Marcus Howard (Northern Colorado) – just to name a few.

BIG SOUTH-OVC

Daniel Rickert, Tennessee Tech, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 49 tackles, 9 sacks, 14.5 TFLs, 3 passes broken up

Rickert will enter this fall as a redshirt junior and undoubtedly has an impressive two seasons ahead based on what he’s done. In 32 career games so far, he’s racked up 92 career tackles, 12 sacks, and 22 tackles for loss – and he was recognized on several all-conference teams last fall.

CAA 

Dylan Ruiz, New Hampshire, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 34 tackles, 8 TFLs, 4 sacks

Ruiz really made an impression last year when he posted 6 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack against FBS Central Michigan in a win – effectively costing CMU a potential bowl berth. He went on to play like that all year. In 2022 he was equally effective for the Wildcats – leading the team in sacks and hurries, and No. 5 in the nation in sacks per game. Ruiz’s college teammate Josiah Silver and Richmond’s Jeremiah Grant are also special in the CAA, just to name a few.

IVY

Justin Townsend, Columbia, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 29 tackles, 12 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, 3 passes defended

Townsend, a New Jersey native, was considered an All-Ivy League selection last year. After not playing as a freshman, which is very common at the Ivy League schools – which don’t use redshirts either – Townsend has racked up 21.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks coming into this fall.

MORE: 2024 Preseason Preview Central

MEAC

Elijah Williams, Morgan State, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 50 tackles, 11 TFLs, 7 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

Williams is considered one of the top defensive end prospects in the FCS right now, and his production in college shows you why. He has 162 career tackles, 37 tackles for loss and 20 sacks. The 6-foot-3 defensive end has all the physical tools that people at the next level drool over. Don’t forget South Carolina State’s Jared Kirksey either.

MVFC

Dylan Hendricks, North Dakota State, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 40 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 3 passes defended

Hendricks is a great example of what North Dakota State identifies when it goes recruiting. The Wisconsin native suffered through injury issues early in his career but last year burst onto the scene and will be counted on once again in 2024.

NEC

Jorel Liverpool, Wagner, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 41 tackles, 10 TFLs, 3 sacks

Liverpool stands 6-foot-7 and was listed as an All-NEC performer by several media outlets last year. He played in six games as a freshman in 2022 but really burst onto the scene in 2023. 

PATRIOT

Matt Jaworski, Fordham, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 44 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 9 sacks, 3 forced fumbles

Jaworski has been extremely active for three years already at Fordham. Even in his freshman season of 2021, he was a pain in the rear for opponents. His career numbers (107 tackles, 26 TFLs, 17.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles) are impressive, and he was named an All-Patriot First Team performer last year.

PIONEER

Finn Claypool, Drake, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 57 tackles, 33.5 TFLs, 20 sacks, 5 forced fumbles

Claypool plays at Drake – which is officially non-scholarship within the Pioneer Football League – but last year’s conference title team got to play against some of the top scholarship FCS programs in national champion South Dakota State, North Dakota State (in the playoffs) and North Dakota. Claypool faced good competition and is considered a future pro prospect like Eric Saubert was when he was drafted out of Drake in 2017.

SOCON

Luke Clark, Furman, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 30 tackles, 7 TFLs, 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

Clark stars at the Bandit position for the Paladins, but with his 6-foot-3, 235-pound frame he is obviously considered one of those multi-faceted players who could play on the defensive line or drop back into pass coverage because of his athleticism. He has had an impressive career (119 tackles, 17.5 TFLs, 12 sacks, 4 forced fumbles).

SOUTHLAND

Joe Mason, Nicholls, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 29 tackles, 6 TFLs, 4.5 sacks

Mason came over from Louisiana Tech after three seasons, playing in 25 games at his former school – posting a four-tackle game once against FBS Rice. Since transferring to Nicholls, he made a name for himself – becoming an All-Southland selection last year.

SWAC

Ckelby Givens, Southern, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 61 tackles, 21 TFLs, 7 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 8 hurries

Givens is a fascinating potential pro prospect with two years left of eligibility. He did enter the transfer portal briefly in December 2023 but pulled back when he realized he would also be discovered playing in the SWAC – as many prospects have found. Givens has put up big numbers at the defensive tackle position while at Southern, but he also is well-liked as a potential defensive end pro prospect.

UAC

David Walker, Central Arkansas, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 57 tackles, 18 TFLs, 8.5 sacks

Walker was an FCS national leader in tackles for loss and was named to several All-American teams by multiple media outlets. He originally signed with Southern Arkansas – a Division II program – but transferred to UCA before the 2022 season. A multi-dimensional player, he has starred as a Bandit linebacker – but has picked up accolades as a DL. Career numbers at UCA: 40 TFLs, 20.5 sacks. Don’t forget Utah Tech’s Syrus Webster – another big star at the position.

INDEPENDENT

Tyreke Brown, Sacred Heart, Grad.

2023 STAT LINE: 46 tackles, 10 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles

Brown was All-NEC last year before Sacred Heart moved to the FCS Independent ranks. He has 102 career tackles and 23.5 TFLs in 37 career games with the Pioneers.

The post The Best Returning 2024 FCS Defensive End In Each Conference appeared first on HERO Sports.

It’s tough to find a good interior defensive lineman, whether it’s your standard tackle in a four-man front or a “Nose”, otherwise. No matter what, you know their stats won’t be as gaudy as a great defensive end’s stats are, but they’re just as important to the D-line.

There are a bunch of them returning this fall to the FCS. Take a look, conference by conference: 

BIG SKY

David Rowe, Idaho State, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 36 tackles, 10 TFLs, 4 sacks

Rowe is a home-state talent for Idaho State and a true credit to The Gem State. He has racked up 121 tackles in his career to go with 18.5 tackles for loss as an interior defensive lineman prospect. This All-Big Sky player is one of many good ones returning in the league, along with Dallas Afalava (Idaho), Matt Herron (Weber State), and Matthew Brown (Eastern Washington) – just to name a few.

BIG SOUTH-OVC

Eriq George, Tennessee State, Soph.

2023 STAT LINE: 25 tackles, 6 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 4 hurries

George is the young guy, and we also could have gone with a guy like Lindenwood’s Kobe McClendon – who plays D-end in college but is built like a D-tackle prospect and tells HERO Sports he’ll play anywhere someone asks him. No matter how you go with it, these are a couple of 2024 standouts in the making in the Big South-OVC. George seems primed to explode onto the scene – 2023 was just a hint.

CAA 

Westley Neal Jr., Rhode Island, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 25 tackles, 5 TFLs, 4 hurries

Neal is a Miami native, and his ability has roots in that talent-rich corner of the country. At 6-foot, 315 pounds, he moves more quickly than one would expect for his size, and he causes serious problems. Watch out for him on special teams, too – he can block a kick. Bryant’s Michael Otty, Maine’s Izaiah Henderson, and Neal’s new teammate, Sacred Heart transfer Carson Primrose, are expected to be standout CAA D-linemen too.

IVY

Josiah Green, Dartmouth, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 46 tackles, 7.5 TFLs

Green has been a key contributor for two years, going on three now. An All-Ivy League performer, he has one brother who played at Brigham Young, and his twin brother Micah who is also with Dartmouth as a linebacker. Green is a classic nose guard.

MEAC

Jaden Taylor, North Carolina Central, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 51 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 4 sacks, 3 hurries

Taylor opened eyes when he finished with 8 tackles and 0.5 TFL against UCLA last year, going on to a very active 2023 season. He has posted 143 career tackles and 19 TFLs. He started his career at Mercer but has a home with the 9-win Eagles, too.

MORE: 2024 Preseason Preview Central

MVFC

Eli Mostaert, North Dakota State, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 37 tackles, 4 TFLs, 3 passes defended

Mostaert has been around a while since signing with NDSU back in 2019. With COVID and an injury in 2022, he will be in his sixth year with the national powerhouse Bison. The Minnesota native has posted 120 tackles, 21.5 TFLs, and 13.5 sacks during his career so far, and undoubtedly will add to it this year. Players like South Dakota’s Nick Gaes and SDSU’s Jarod DePriest are just a couple of other standouts on the interior.

NEC

Eddie Bierals, St. Francis (PA), Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 26 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3 sacks

Bierals has been a mainstay for the Red Flash defense for the past three seasons, and he’s back for another. A New Jersey native with a wrestling background, he’s a brawler up front and has the career numbers to back it up.

PATRIOT

Sam Buerkle, Fordham, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 35 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 4 fumble recoveries

Buerkle has certainly been noticed within the Patriot League, with most of those highlights coming last year as a sophomore. This Ohio native led the team with four fumble recoveries and started all 11 games at defensive tackle.

PIONEER

Darryn Kindles, Davidson, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 23 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

Kindles was a team defensive captain last year as a junior, starting every game. He was an All-Pioneer League selection for the Wildcats. Before 2023, he had a 2022 season-high four tackles against Jacksonville State and a 2021-best five tackles in the FCS playoffs against Kennesaw State – with both opponents now residing in the FBS.

SOCON

Marlon Taylor, Chattanooga, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 30 tackles, 9 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 4 hurries

Taylor is a terror, like an out-of-control bowling ball that ran into a wall and won. He’s 6-foot-2, 322 pounds, and can flat-out move or plug a necessary hole and is already catching the eye of pro scouts. His career: 68 tackles, 16 TFLs as a block-absorbing “Nose”.

SOUTHLAND

Caleb Williams, Lamar, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 58 tackles, 6 TFLs, 3 hurries

Williams, a Houston native, was an All-Southland Conference member last year and posted some impressive numbers. He has 15 career starts – mostly coming last year – and at 5-foot-11, 290 pounds he’s built perfectly for the interior defensive line. Stephen F. Austin’s Edward Bobino III is also a big Southland name in the interior.

SWAC

James Ash, Florida A&M, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: 32 tackles, 6 TFLs

Ash, a Tampa (Fla.) native, started his career at Wake Forest before coming to play for the 2023 HBCU National Champion Rattlers. Standing 6-foot-4, 280 pounds, Ash looks the part and plays it too. Look for a dominant season in the SWAC from this Sunshine State native. Jackson State’s Jeremiah Williams is another good one in the SWAC.

UAC

Rylen Sua-Filo, Southern Utah, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: 28 tackles, 7 hurries, 5 TFLs, 3 sacks

Sua-Filo was very active when he opened 2023 and held his own against two Power Conference teams – Arizona State and Brigham Young. That set the tone for a year where the Utah native turned heads and got on the radar for 2024 as a top FCS interior defensive lineman.

The post The Best Returning 2024 FCS Interior Defensive Lineman In Each Conference appeared first on HERO Sports.

Whether they are tackles, guards, or centers – or they’re starting as tackles this year out of team need but are more naturally suited interior linemen – HERO Sports is going to spotlight one per conference who has committed to returning to the FCS level. Check out our interior linemen piece, also.

Here are still several OT studs preparing for FCS football this fall. Take a look, conference by conference: 

RELATED: Best Returning FCS Interior OL

BIG SKY

Marcus Wehr, Montana State, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: Started all 12 games he played in for the Bobcats

Wehr is coveted by pro scouts as a potential interior lineman, or tackle – take your pick for this versatile lineman. Being versatile is a coveted trait in the pro ranks. PFF, the well-respected scouting agency, likes Wehr as the No. 1 rated Division I offensive tackle. He’s an in-state product, which is also a big deal to Montana natives. Among other Big Sky talents, Montana’s Brandon Casey is a massive candidate for this spot (NOTE: We had Sacramento State’s Jackson Slater in our interior lineman piece, as he is highly respected as a guard prospect but can play many positions up front).

BIG SOUTH-OVC

Gareth Warren, Lindenwood, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: Warren is expected to be a top lineman after an all-conference 2023

Warren has been a big contributor to Lindenwood’s recent move from the Division II ranks to being a solid program in the FCS. The season-opening game against Kansas will provide a big opportunity for Warren to prove himself.

CAA 

Ozzie Hutchinson, UAlbany, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: Played in all 14 games in UAlbany’s best season in school history

Hutchinson was a key contributor as the Great Danes went 11-4 last year, put the scare into two FBS opponents (Marshall and Hawaii), and won seven games in a row before running into the buzzsaw that is known as South Dakota State. He will be a leader this year for UAlbany.

IVY

Delby Lemieux, Dartmouth, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: Started the last 7 games of the season

Lemieux was an All-Ivy League performer for the co-conference champion Big Green. He was listed as an honorable mention player as a sophomore in 2023 and obviously has a lot of football ahead.

MEAC

Cam Johnson, South Carolina State, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: All-MEAC performer for the Bulldogs in 2023

Johnson has been a key contributor for two seasons, playing in 15 games and being named by most media outlets as a Second Team All-MEAC player.

MVFC

Jared Penning, Northern Iowa, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: A pro prospect and named All-American by several outlets

Let’s face it, several individuals could fit this spot. The Missouri Valley Football Conference prides itself in black-and-blue football starting with the big guys up front, most of which come from that part of the country. Penning fits that narrative perfectly, but don’t forget stars like Hunter Zambrano at Illinois State, Grey Zabel and Mason Miller at North Dakota State, and many others.

NEC

Tim Suk, Sacred Heart, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: A Second Team All-NEC performer

Sacred Heart is an FCS independent this fall, but was an NEC member last year.

Suk stands 6-foot-8 and could be very interesting to keep an eye on this fall in terms of how scouts view him. He picked up postseason accolades in 2023 and is expected to be one of the Pioneers’ top contributors.

PATRIOT

Ryder Langsdale, Lafayette, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: Started every game at left tackle

Langsdale was named a Second Team All-Patriot League performer last fall and helped pave the way for one of the nation’s top running backs in Jamar Curtis. Well, Curtis is back, and so is Langsdale, and he’ll also be on hand to protect the quarterback, obviously. At 6-foot-7, his athleticism earlier in his college career warranted a switch from a potential defensive lineman to being an O-tackle.

PIONEER

Alec Rasmussen, St. Thomas (MN), Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: Was selected a Phil Steele First Team All-Pioneer League player

For the past two seasons, Rasmussen has been a key cog in the St. Thomas offense. He started all 11 games in 2023 for the Tommies and played more than 90 percent of the offensive snaps.

SOCON

Quincy Hughes, Wofford, Jr.

2023 STAT LINE: Started 9 games at left tackle for the Terriers

In a conference that features a lot of strong interior linemen coming back, Hughes is clearly one of the best SoCon offensive tackle tackles returning in 2024. 

SOUTHLAND

Jhy Orgeron, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: Two-year starter at tackle

Orgeron became the Lions’ starting left tackle early in the 2022 season and he hasn’t looked back since then. He’s been an All-Southland Conference selection and played in nine games as a reserve in 2021. In the stellar 2022 season (9-4 record), Orgeron helped Southeastern Louisiana gain nearly 400 yards per contest.

SWAC

Carson Vinson, Alabama A&M, Sr.

2023 STAT LINE: All-Conference performer in 2023

Vinson, who stands 6-foot-6, 305 pounds, has caught the eye of pro scouts and will be watched closely this fall. He will get a chance to show how good he is individually against Auburn in Week One. 

UAC

Payton Collins, Eastern Kentucky, Grad.

2023 STAT LINE: Has started more than 40 career games at EKU

Collins (6-foot-7, 301 pounds) was a massive reason for EKU’s offensive success in 2023, as the Colonels put up 437.4 yards per game, tops in the UAC. He began his career as a HERO Sports Freshman All-American in 2021 and hasn’t let up since then. Keep a close eye on this pro prospect in 2024.

The post The Best Returning 2024 FCS Offensive Tackle In Each Conference appeared first on HERO Sports.