Welcome to the 2020 FCS Jersey Countdown.
Throughout the May-August months, HERO Sports is going to name the best returning FCS player by jersey number, 99-1. Due to rosters being updated at different times for teams across the country and to keep things consistent, jersey numbers are based on the 2019 season.
The full 99-1 countdown/schedule can be found here.
*Note: Jersey numbers are based on 2019 rosters.
96: Amandre Williams, DL (Sr.) — Montana State
The Bobcats first struck gold bringing in a University of Washington transfer on the defensive line when Bryce Sterk arrived in Bozeman in 2018. Sterk earned All-Conference honors in 2018 and then All-American honors in 2019.
The 2019 season also saw the emergence of another UW transfer on the d-line, Amandre Williams. In his debut season with the Bobcats, Williams totaled 65 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, five sacks, three quarterback hurries and two interceptions.
The Big Sky named Williams on its All-Conference Third Team
Williams played the “Buck” position for the MSU defense, an outside linebacker/defensive end hybrid position that Sterk occupied in 2018. At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, Williams’ athleticism and versatility shined in that role.
“I knew he had a high football IQ because he was an excellent quarterback in high school. I wasn’t concerned about him picking things up,” MSU head coach Jeff Choate told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle in September. “Whether it’s doing a special teams drill or how we get off a block or how we tackle, he’s just a technician when it comes to those things so I think that’s really helped his game.”
With defensive linemen Sterk and All-Conference Second Teamer Derek Marks finishing up their eligibility last year, Williams will be asked to raise his game even more. If his similar path to Sterk’s continues, we may be looking at an All-American season.
