Welcome to the 2022 FCS Jersey Countdown.
Leading up to Week 0 games on Aug. 27, HERO Sports will 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 last season’s rosters.
The 99-0 countdown central page can be found here.
Note: Jersey numbers are based on 2021 rosters.
92: Dan Kuznetsov, DL (Sr.) — Holy Cross
Holy Cross is building something special as a football program, now winners of three straight Patriot League titles. The Crusaders advanced to the second round of the playoffs last season, losing 21-16 to CAA co-champ Villanova. They finished 10-3 and notched a 38-28 FBS win at UConn.
The Crusaders have ridden a strong defense during their rise. They had the No. 14 FCS scoring defense last fall, allowing 18.5 PPG. One of the standouts is defensive end Dan Kuznetsov, who enters his fourth season as a starter. The 6-foot-3, 248-pounder has garnered All-Patriot League honors the last three seasons.
Kuznetsov made the switch from tight end to defensive end in 2019. He started all 13 games and was named to Phil Steele’s All-Patriot League Second Team with 38 tackles, six sacks, and 10 TFLs.
Holy Cross played just four games in the 2021 spring season. Kuznetsov recorded 14 tackles, four TFLs, and 1.5 sacks, earning Second Team honors from the conference.
Last season, Kuznetsov was an All-Conference First Team selection after racking up 33 tackles, eight TFLs, 6.5 sacks, and five QB hurries.
Kuznetsov is one of several experienced players for Holy Cross looking to make national noise in 2022. A Patriot League team goes on a quarterfinal run every few years, and this team has the potential to do it this season. It has the talent and plays with the needed physicality. Kuznetsov is a key component as a physical presence on the d-line who can both play the run and get after the quarterback.
HERO Sports preseason ranks the Crusaders No. 17 in our Preseason Top 25.
