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.
75: Nick Correia, OL (Jr.) — Rhode Island
Correia is a monster at 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds that can get out and move from his right guard position. His size and raw abilities are intriguing to pro scouts. And if Correia’s year-to-year improvements continue, 2022 will be a special season.
The Nantucket, Massachusetts, native is a three-year starter going back to his redshirt freshman season in 2019. Correia had his best year last fall, earning All-CAA Second Team honors. He helped protect standout Kasim Hill, who is our No. 23 returning FCS quarterback.
The Rams finished 7-4 last season with an FBS win at UMass and 4-4 in the CAA. But they were one of the first three teams left out of the playoff bracket. The seven wins were the program’s most since going 8-3 in 2001, a sign that the Rams are ready to compete near the top of the CAA, especially with James Madison gone.
Correia is one of several talented returners ready to push Rhody to its first FCS/D1-AA postseason appearance since 1985. He has the option to return for a sixth year in 2023, but Correia may get a chance after this season to do what former Rhody OL Kyle Murphy did a few years ago and sign an NFL contract.
“Honestly with a guy that size, we are talking about the next level,” Rhode Island offensive line coach Stefon Wheeler told Nantucket Magazine. “He definitely has the size and the athletic ability, he just needs to fine tune his tools as I say to keep propelling him and getting him ready for that next level. He is a very large human being so anybody that big who can move that well is going to get looks from NFL teams. There is no doubt about it.”
