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.
Below you will find the running list of players honored, along with links to the individual stories.
Note: Jersey numbers are based on 2020 fall-2021 spring rosters.
99: Malik Hamm, Lafayette
Hamm is becoming a regular of starting these jersey countdowns, now three summers straight. He’s been an impact player since his true freshman season in 2018. … READ MORE
98: Kobie Turner, Richmond
It took some time for Turner to make an impact for the Spiders. But when he did, the 6-foot-3 and 285-pounder splashed onto the scene. … READ MORE
97: Brevin Allen, Campbell
With some FBS recruiting interest (getting offers from Coastal Carolina and East Carolina), Allen chose Campbell and developed into a force within two years. … READ MORE
96: Amandre Williams, Montana State
Earning All-Big Sky Third Team honors, Williams was third on the team with 65 tackles along with 16 tackles for loss, five sacks, and two interceptions. … READ MORE
95: Joseph Wallace, Sam Houston
Wallace was again a force in the middle, totaling 31 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. He was named to the All-Southland Conference First Team along with earning HERO Sports All-American honors. … READ MORE
94: Jevon Leon, Sam Houston
This spring, the 6-foot-3 and 255-pounder was named a HERO Sports Sophomore All-American while elevating himself to First Team All-Conference status. … READ MORE
93: Jermaine McDaniel, North Carolina A&T
A three-star prospect out of high school with 16 Division I offers (five FBS), McDaniel’s talent shined as he totaled 40 tackles, 12 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, and five quarterback hurries. … READ MORE
92: Jerry Garner, Mississippi Valley State
Earning All-SWAC Second Team honors, Garner racked up 53 tackles, 16 TFLs, nine sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, five quarterback hurries, and one safety. … READ MORE
91: Ethan Ratke, James Madison
Ratke will end his JMU career after the 2021 season as the most accomplished kicker in FCS history. … READ MORE
90: Devonnsha Maxwell, Chattanooga
Maxwell played just four games in 2020-21 after Chattanooga opted out in the middle of the spring season. The 6-foot-2 and 295-pounder was still highly productive, recording 19 tackles, seven TFLs, five sacks, and two forced fumbles. … READ MORE
89: Garett Maag, North Dakota
Maag has been making plays for UND since his true freshman season in 2018. In three years and 29 games played, the 6-foot-4 receiver has caught 102 passes for 1,404 yards and 12 touchdowns. … READ MORE
88: John Fitzgerald, Richmond
Fitzgerald grad transferred to Richmond and immediately made an impact during the spring season. The Spiders played just four games, and Fitzgerald started all of them while catching 14 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown. … READ MORE
87: McCallan Castles, UC Davis
In his debut season this spring, the 6-foot-5 and 240-pounder caught 12 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns in five games. … READ MORE
86: Todd Summers, Villanova
Summers had big expectations heading into the 2020 season after a breakout year. In 2019, he caught 34 passes for 364 yards and six touchdowns. … READ MORE
85: Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim, Alabama A&M
Ibrahim made the Alabama A&M roster two years ago as a tryout participant and walk-on. From there, all he has done is put together back-to-back All-American seasons. … READ MORE
84: Pierre Williams, Sacramento State
Williams earned 2020 preseason Third Team All-American honors from HERO Sports before the season was postponed to the spring. … READ MORE
83: CJ Turner, Southeastern Louisiana
In a shortened 2021 spring season, Turner played in six games. He averaged nearly 100 receiving yards per contest, catching 44 balls for 534 yards and five touchdowns. Turner was named to the All-Southland Conference First Team. … READ MORE
82: LeCharles Pringle, Alcorn State
Pringle’s 14 receiving TDs in 2019 ranked fourth in the FCS, led the SWAC, and tied a single-season program record. … READ MORE
81: Antwane Wells Jr., James Madison
The 6-foot-1 and 200-pounder hauled in 33 catches for 603 yards and six touchdowns in eight games. Wells was named a HERO Sports Freshman All-American. … READ MORE
80: Tanner Conner, Idaho State
Conner is one of the more gifted athletes in the FCS. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder is an All-Big Sky wide receiver, sprinter, and hurdler. … READ MORE
79: Raymond Gillespie, James Madison
Gillespie started another 13 games at left tackle in 2019. In the spring season, he earned his first postseason honors — HERO Sports All-American, AP Second Team All-American, and First Team All-CAA. … READ MORE
78: Conlan Beaver, Montana
Beaver is 6-foot-5 and now up to 316 pounds, according to the 2021 roster. He was listed at 301 pounds in 2019. … READ MORE
77: Liam Fornadel, James Madison
It’s a huge deal for the Dukes to get Fornadel back. He’s had a spectacular career since stepping foot on campus. … READ MORE
76: Matt Waletzko, North Dakota
Waletzko, who has a basketball background from high school, is getting some early love as a potential Day 3 NFL Draft pick in 2022. … READ MORE
75: Ty Whitworth, Weber State
There is no official FCS record for most career starts, but if there was, Whitworth would likely be near the top or at the very top of the list when the 2021 season wraps up. … READ MORE
74: Garret Greenfield, South Dakota State
In his first season as a starter this spring, Greenfield instantly became one of the top big men in the FCS. He earned All-MVFC First Team honors and was named an All-American by HERO Sports, Stats Perform, AP, AFCA, Athlon, and Phil Steele. … READ MORE
73: Tim Coleman, Richmond
Beginning in 2018, Coleman has started 27 straight games at left tackle for the Spiders and is a two-time All-CAA Second Team selection. … READ MORE
72: David Kroll, Delaware
Kroll is a monster on the Delaware offensive line, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 315 pounds. He is a three-year starter and has appeared in 42 career games for the Blue Hens. … READ MORE
71: Evan Roussel, Nicholls
Roussel was fantastic in his debut season, earning First Team All-Southland Conference and HERO Sports Freshman All-American honors during the spring. … READ MORE
70: Tylan Grable, Jacksonville State
He then made the full-time switch to the offensive line and earned the starting left tackle job for the spring season. Now up to 290 pounds, Grable was spectacular as he graded out at 88 percent with 32 knockdowns. … READ MORE
69: J’Von Brown, Central Connecticut State
Brown plans to be back for a sixth season this fall. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound powerful blocker looks to play a full season for the first time in three years to show he still has the skill set to play at the next level. … READ MORE
68: Justin Gurth, Lehigh
Gurth extended his starting streak to 25 this spring as part of Lehigh’s shortened three-game season. He was named to the All-Patriot League Second Team. … READ MORE
67: Cordell Volson, North Dakota State
The 6-foot-7, 310-pounder was named the best offensive lineman in the subdivision by the FCS Athletic Directors Association and he also earned All-American honors from HERO Sports, Stats Perform, Athlon Sports, and Phil Steele. … READ MORE
66: Nash Jensen, North Dakota State
After a couple of years of development, Jensen earned a starting role in 2019 at left guard. He started all 16 games as NDSU rushed for a school-record of 4,601 yards. Jensen received HERO Sports Sophomore All-American honors. … READ MORE
65: Tristen Taylor, Eastern Washington
When his EWU career is done at the end of the 2021 season, Taylor will have played seven seasons and will likely be a five-time all-conference selection. … READ MORE
64: P.J. Burkhalter, Nicholls
Burkhalter has loaded up on postseason awards in the last two seasons. In 2019 and the spring of 2021, Burkhalter was a 10-time All-American and two-time Southland Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year. … READ MORE
63: Toby Sanderson, Central Arkansas
The 6-foot-2, 300-pound Oklahoma native earned 2019 All-Southland Conference Third Team honors and was named to the First Team last season. … READ MORE
62: Colin Gamroth, Villanova
Gamroth stepped into the starting center role in 2019 and earned All-CAA Third Team honors. The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder was solid again in the spring, showing his ability to play center and left guard as he was named to the All-Conference Second Team. … READ MORE
61: Jacob Vance, Murray State
Vance has been a solid part of that offensive line for years, starting three games in 2017, 10 games in 2018, and 11 games in 2019. In his fourth year as a starter in the spring, the 6-foot-4, 328-pound tackle was named to the All-OVC First Team. … READ MORE
60: Mason McCormick, South Dakota State
McCormick, who is 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, was named a HERO Sports Sophomore All-American along with right tackle Garret Greenfield. He was also named to the HERO Sports All-FCS team and added All-MVFC Second Team honors. … READ MORE
59: ZeVeyon Furcron, Southern Illinois
Furcron was again outstanding as SIU led the conference in total offense. He played 644 snaps and graded out at 90 percent with only one sack allowed. Furcron earned All-MVFC First Team honors for his play. … READ MORE
58: Patrick O’Connell, Montana
Montana’s defense had plenty of star power in 2019 with linebackers Jace Lewis and Dante Olson and safety Robby Hauck (Lewis and Hauck are back this fall). An underrated part of that defense was O’Connell, who was fifth on the team in tackles (56), fourth in tackles for loss (7.5), and the team leader with 6.5 sacks. … READ MORE
57: Patrick Flynn, New Hampshire
Flynn’s versatility has been important for UNH’s improving offensive line play in recent years. As a redshirt freshman in 2018, he started all 11 games at center. … READ MORE
56: Cam Hill, Jacksonville State
A three-star recruit out of Montgomery, Alabama, Hill chose JSU over offers from Kennesaw State, Alabama State, Alcorn State, Morgan State, and Tennessee State along with three FBS offers from Tulane, UMass, and Bowling Green. … READ MORE
55: Jahari Kay, Sam Houston
The spring was when Kay really established himself as an elite defensive player. The 6-foot-2, 255-pounder totaled 38 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, six sacks, four forced fumbles, and one pick-six in 10 games. … READ MORE
54: Kyin Howard, North Carolina A&T
The 6-foot, 243-pounder had a breakout season in 2019 when he totaled 79 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss. Howard was named to the All-MEAC Second Team as the Aggies finished 9-3 and won the Celebration Bowl. … READ MORE
53: AJ Farris, Monmouth
The respect for Farris kept coming when he was named the FCS Rimington Trophy Award winner, which is given to the top center in the subdivision. … READ MORE
52: Colby Thomas, Sam Houston
Thomas, who is 6-foot-2 and 305 pounds, played center, guard, and tackle throughout the season. He played all three spots in one game against Northwestern State. … READ MORE
51: Taylor Tuiasosopo, Montana State
Tuiasosopo is one of those veteran big men, starting 28 games at guard dating back to 2017. The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder has lived up to high expectations since arriving on campus in 2016 as a two-star recruit out of California. … READ MORE
50: J.W. Jones, Central Arkansas
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. … READ MORE
49: Brock Mogensen, South Dakota
His 9.5 tackles per game ranked second in the Missouri Valley Football Conference as Mogensen was named to the All-Conference Second Team. … READ MORE
48: Solomon Zubairu, Mercer
Zubairu is relentless off of the edge for Mercer’s defense. He led the SoCon with 10.5 tackles for loss while tallying 5.5 sacks and 41 total tackles in 2020-21. … READ MORE
47: Ryan Greenhagen, Fordham
As a HERO Sports Sophomore All-American in 2019, Greenhagen made plays all over the field with 123 total tackles (83 solo), 18.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, and eight quarterback hurries. … READ MORE
46: Isaac Dowling, Mercer
In 10 total games, Dowling totaled 90 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two quarterback hurries, and three pass breakups. … READ MORE
45: Aubrey Miller Jr., Jackson State
In just five games played, the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder totaled 51 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. Miller joined fellow linebacker Keonte Hampton on the All-SWAC First Team. … READ MORE
44: Jared Brinkman, Northern Iowa
Brinkman was named to five different All-American First Teams — HERO Sports, Athlon Sports, AFCA, Stats Perform, and the AP. He was also named to the All-Conference First Team and was voted the MVFC Defensive Player of the Year. … READ MORE
43: Forrest Rhyne, Villanova
After a combined 19 tackles in 2017 and 2018, he racked up 116 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks in 2019. … READ MORE
42: Major Jordan, Lafayette
He’s a three-year starter dating back to 2018. Jordan totaled 66 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss as a true sophomore. An All-Patriot League Second Team selection in 2019, Jordan went off for 112 tackles, 10 TFLs, and three sacks. … READ MORE
41: Tyler Dressler, Richmond
This came after a breakout 2019 season where Dressler racked up 104 tackles in 11 games, including 12 TFLs, four sacks, and four passes defended. He led the CAA with 9.5 tackles per game. … READ MORE
40: Isaiah Chambers, McNeese
The 6-foot-5, 251-pounder was a consensus First Team All-American and finished fourth in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the best FCS defensive player. … READ MORE
39: Jack Cochrane, South Dakota
His development continued into 2019, leading the Missouri Valley Football Conference with 106 tackles. Cochrane was named to the All-MVFC Second Team as he added seven tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. … READ MORE
38: Damien Dawson, Southeastern Louisiana
Dawson’s contributions were recognized in the spring with a spot on the All-Southland Conference Third Team. He enters this fall on the Preseason All-Conference Second Team at the TE/HB spot. … READ MORE
37: Clayton Cheatham, James Madison
While blocking for the No. 6 rushing offense in the FCS, Cheatham also had 12 receptions for 164 yards and two TDs. He had multiple catches in five of eight games played, including two for 40 yards and a score in the semifinals against Sam Houston. … READ MORE
36: Aniello Buzzacco, Robert Morris
In 2019, the 6-foot, 230-pounder racked up 131 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and two interceptions to earn All-NEC Second Team honors. … READ MORE
35: Ethan Caselberry, VMI
He plays with great range on the field at 6-foot-4 and 201 pounds. Caselberry disrupts offenses in multiple ways, and in VMI’s historic spring season, he totaled 44 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, and eight passes defended in seven games. … READ MORE
34: Jace Lewis, Montana
Lewis will wear No. 37 this season. Wearing that number in a Montana football uniform is better than any individual accolade as Montana’s No. 37 is one of the very best traditions in the FCS. … READ MORE
33: Elijah Dotson, Sacramento State
Dotson was fabulous in 2019 in first-year head coach Troy Taylor’s offense. He rushed 151 times for 742 yards and seven TDs and caught 70 passes for 702 yards and four TDs. … READ MORE
32: Jordan Lewis, Southern
Lewis is the reigning Buck Buchanan Award winner after a dominant spring season. In just five games, he totaled 27 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks. … READ MORE
31: Percy Agyei-Obese, James Madison
In 2019, he took the torch as JMU’s top back and became one of the best rushers in the FCS, earning All-CAA First Team and HERO Sports All-American Third Team honors. … READ MORE
30: Jah-Maine Martin, North Carolina A&T
Martin ran for 1,446 yards and 23 touchdowns on 187 attempts. His 7.7 yards per carry led the FCS. He was named to the All-MEAC First Team and earned multiple All-American honors — HERO Sports First Team, AP Second Team, Stats Perform Second Team. … READ MORE
29: Jake Chisholm, Dayton
In 2019, he led the FCS with 204.3 all-purpose yards per game, almost 30 yards more per game than No. 2 (Tennessee State’s Chris Rowland). Chisholm’s 7.4 yards a carry ranked No. 2 in the FCS. … READ MORE
28: Julien Gums, Nicholls
His 2,243 career rushing yards rank third all-time in program history, and he’s tied for third with 30 touchdowns. … READ MORE
27: Jacob Dobbs, Holy Cross
He didn’t waste any time becoming an impact player, starting all 13 games in 2019. Dobbs led the Crusaders with 93 tackles. … READ MORE
26: Otis Weah, North Dakota
In seven games, Weah rushed for 730 yards and nine TDs off of 102 attempts. He scored at least one touchdown in every game, ranked No. 4 in the FCS with 7.2 yards per carry, No. 10 with 104.3 rushing yards per game, No. 5 in rushing yards, and tied for fourth in rushing TDs. … READ MORE
25: Michael Tutsie, North Dakota State
After showing flashes of play-making ability and snagging two interceptions as a backup in 2018, Tutsie started all 16 games at strong safety in 2019 and made his name known nationally. … READ MORE
24: Qua Brown, Southern Illinois
Brown totaled 105 tackles, 74 solo, one interception, and 12 passes defended in 2019. He was named to the All-MVFC Second Team as he ranked No. 5 in the FCS and No. 1 in the Valley with 6.3 solo tackles per game. … READ MORE
23: Terrance Greene Jr., Monmouth
His redshirt sophomore season in 2019 was when he established himself as a dangerous downfield threat in Monmouth’s explosive offense. Greene caught 65 passes for 916 yards and 10 TDs. … READ MORE
22: Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston
McCollum is a long and fluid cornerback that has grabbed the attention of NFL scouts. At 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, McCollum has been locking down his side of the field since his true freshman season in 2017. … READ MORE
21: Karl Mofor, UAlbany
The well-rounded running back enters this season a HERO Sports Preseason Third Team All-American and the No. 8 returning running back. … READ MORE
20: Pierre Strong Jr., South Dakota State
Strong is the total package — size (5-foot-11, 205 pounds), speed, vision, cutting ability, patience, power, elusiveness, etc. … READ MORE
19: Xavier Smith, Florida A&M
The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder is coming off of a huge 2019 season. Smith was a dynamic weapon in FAMU’s 9-2 season, catching 77 passes for 1,159 yards and 11 touchdowns. … READ MORE
18: Samuel Akem, Montana
Akem has been a matchup nightmare in the Big Sky since his breakout redshirt sophomore season in 2018. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder is an elite downfield threat and a great target to have in the red zone. … READ MORE
17: Robby Hauck, Montana
Hauck was even better in 2019. He was all over the field with 129 tackles, five TFLs, three sacks, one interception, three passes defended, and two forced fumbles. … READ MORE
16: Marshel Martin, Sacramento State
As just a redshirt freshman in Sac State’s offense that averaged 35.7 points per game in 2019, Martin had 39 catches for 550 yards and seven touchdowns. … READ MORE
15: Troy Andersen, Montana State
Andersen is one of the most physically gifted athletes in the FCS and perhaps the best all-around “football player” in the subdivision. This level will likely never see a dude like him again. … READ MORE
14: Jakob Herres, VMI
Herres is a massive weapon on VMI’s explosive passing attack. The 6-foot-4, 211-pound target has been a matchup problem for defenses for years. … READ MORE
13: Kordell Jackson, Austin Peay
A four-year starter dating back to his true freshman season in 2017, Jackson has 176 career tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 11 interceptions, 31 passes defended, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. … READ MORE
12: Jequez Ezzard, Sam Houston
The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder was a threat to score every time he touched the ball, averaging 22.6 yards per catch. Ezzard totaled 38 receptions for 861 yards and nine touchdowns, rushed four times for 33 yards and one TD, and returned 18 punts for 314 yards and two TDs. … READ MORE
11: Avante Cox, Southern Illinois
The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder cranked it up a notch in 2020-21. In 10 games, he had 66 catches for 838 yards and five TDs. … READ MORE
10: Andre Miller, Maine
The spring 2021 season was when Miller saw his breakthrough performance. An All-CAA First Team selection, he had 21 catches for 348 yards and six TDs. He did that in just four games. … READ MORE
9: Willie Eubanks III, The Citadel
Eubanks plays with tremendous range and energy on the football field. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder has next-level potential with his skillset — a sound tackler in space with great closing speed that is also effective in pass coverage. … READ MORE
8: Tre Walker, Idaho
Walker’s hard-hitting style of play has been highlight-worthy several times throughout his career. But he’s not just a “thumper” at linebacker. The 6-foot-1, 240-pounder has the skill set to play in the NFL. … READ MORE
7: Julius Chestnut, Sacred Heart
A HERO Sports Preseason First Team All-American, Chestnut is in store for another special season. He will get a shot at the NFL after this year and was named to the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist. … READ MORE
6: Zerrick Cooper, Jacksonville State
Some of the throws he makes have scouts in attendance scribbling/typing notes with a smile. Cooper is on the NFL radar and is named to the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist. … READ MORE
5: Dai’Jean Dixon, Nicholls
With one season remaining, Dixon already holds program career records in touchdown catches (24), receptions (147), and yards (2,709). … READ MORE
4: EJ Perry, Brown
He led the FCS in total offense with 367.8 yards per game. Perry’s 3,678 total offensive yards set an Ivy League record. … READ MORE
3: Eric Barriere, Eastern Washington
Barriere, who is 20-9 as a starter and 13-0 at home, has 10,102 yards of total offense and 93 touchdowns responsible for (75 passing, 18 rushing). … READ MORE
2: Felix Harper, Alcorn State
Harper replaced the reigning SWAC Offensive Player of the Year and went on to win the award himself. He went 204-of-338 passing for 2,954 yards, 33 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Harper also rushed 64 times for 169 yards and six scores. … READ MORE
1: Christian Watson, North Dakota State
Watson is one of the more physically gifted athletes in college football and is a home-run threat catching the ball, running it, or returning kickoffs. … READ MORE
0: Devin Wynn, Furman
Wynn is a beast at running back. A tough guy to bring down with his physicality at 6-foot and 211 pounds, Wynn can also stick his foot in the ground and explode for a big play off of one cut. … READ MORE
