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.
The 99-0 countdown central page can be found here.
Note: Jersey numbers are based on 2020 fall-2021 spring rosters
91: Ethan Ratke, K (Sr.) — James Madison
Ratke will end his JMU career after the 2021 season as the most accomplished kicker in FCS history.
His 72 made field goals rank second in the subdivision’s history behind Dan Carpenter, who made 75 field goals from 2004-2007 at Montana. Ratke’s 392 career points are fourth in FCS history for career scoring by a kicker and 18th in career scoring by any player.
In 44 games played, Ratke has hit 72-of-85 field goals for an 84.7 percentage with a long of 48 yards. He made 14 FGs in 2017, 17 in 2018, 27 in 2019, and made all 14 attempts in the spring of 2021.
Ratke has missed just three PATs in his college career, making 176 total.
The legend of Ratke began back in the 2017 playoffs when the redshirt freshman nailed a 46-yarder as time expired to beat Weber State in the quarterfinals.
He followed that up by setting the JMU single-season record with 17 made field goals in 2018. As a HERO Sports Third Team All-American in 2019, Ratke re-set the school single-season record for field goals made with 27. He also broke JMU’s single-season scoring record with 160 points.
This spring, Ratke was named a HERO Sports All-American as he did not miss one kick all season (14/14 FGs and 31/31 PATs).
