Welcome to the 2023 FCS Jersey Countdown.
Leading up to Week 0 games on Aug. 26, HERO Sports will name the best returning FCS player by jersey number, 99-0. Because team rosters are updated at different times 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 2022 rosters
60: Mason McCormick, OL (Sr.) — South Dakota State
McCormick and fellow SDSU offensive lineman Garret Greenfield were potential 2023 late-round NFL Draft picks, or at the very least would have signed undrafted free agent contracts. But they both decided before the 2022 playoffs that they wanted to return to SDSU for a sixth season in 2023, using their extra year of eligibility to improve their draft stock even more.
After winning the 2022 FCS national title in dominant fashion, SDSU now returns all five starting offensive linemen, including two of the very best in the subdivision. McCormick is No. 1 on HERO Sports’ best returning FCS offensive linemen ranking, and Greenfield is No. 3.
McCormick is a tone-setter at his guard position. He is a three-year starter, a three-time All-MVFC selection, and has earned All-American honors three straight years.
The 6-foot-4, 305-pounder is known as a mauler, but he’s arguably even better in pass protection. McCormick had the second-highest PFF grade for an FCS offensive guard last year with an 80.8. His pass-blocking grade was 84.2, and his run-blocking grade was 80.2. In 1,229 career pass-blocking reps recorded by PFF, McCormick has allowed only three sacks, five hits, and 18 hurries for a career efficiency of 98.8.
After scoring 34.2 points per game last year, including 42, 42, 39, and 45 points in the playoffs, the defending champs return their entire starting o-line, their leader at QB, their top two rushers, and their top three receiving yards leaders.
