Welcome to the 2021 FCS Jersey Countdown.
Leading up to Week 0 games on Aug. 28, HERO Sports is going to name the best returning FCS player by jersey number, 99-0. Due to rosters being updated at different times for teams across the country and to keep things consistent, jersey numbers are based on the 2020 fall-2021 spring season.
The 99-0 countdown central page can be found here.
Note: Jersey numbers are based on 2020 fall-2021 spring rosters
78: Conlan Beaver, OL (Sr.) — Montana
From Virginia, Beaver traveled a long way to play Division I football, unlike his younger brother Donavan, who is currently an offensive lineman at West Virginia. But things have worked out quite well for Conlan at Montana.
After two years of developing, Beaver stepped into the starting lineup as a redshirt sophomore in 2018. He earned the team’s Paul Weskamp Award for Outstanding Grizzly Offensive Lineman. As a junior, he started another 12 games at left tackle as the Grizzlies improved its physicality on the offensive line and advanced to the FCS quarterfinals. Beaver was named to the All-Big Sky Second Team for his play.
He entered 2020 a preseason All-Conference selection before the season got postponed to the spring. Montana elected to opt out of the Big Sky portion of the spring schedule and played two games.
Beaver is 6-foot-5 and now up to 316 pounds, according to the 2021 roster. He was listed at 301 pounds in 2019. With 35 games played and 24 starts, he will play a crucial role this fall in making sure Montana’s new starting quarterback stays clean as the Grizzlies continue to make necessary improvements up front to contend for a national title.
