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.
50: J.W. Jones, DL (Sr.) — Central Arkansas
Jones will wear No. 0 in 2021
Jones hopes to follow the same career path as his older brother Edgar, who played at SEMO from 2003-2006 before spending eight years in the NFL.
Edgar was a 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive end. J.W. is 6-foot-4 and 268 pounds. Edgar didn’t have a breakout season until his fourth year at SEMO, being named a First Team All-American after recording 12 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. J.W. was a depth player until his fourth season in 2019 when he stepped up and led the Bears with 5.5 sacks and 10.5 TFLs.
In nine games during the fall of 2020, Jones totaled 35 tackles, six TFLs, and 3.5 sacks. He was named to the All-Southland Conference First Team.
Jones is back for a sixth season this year. According to Draft Scout’s database HERO Sports subscribes to, Jones is viewed as an undrafted free agent-level pro prospect, although he can improve his draft stock with a big senior season. Edgar was also an undrafted free agent.
UCA is ranked No. 11 in HERO Sports’ Preseason Top 25. Jones joins Toby Sanderson on the jersey countdown.
