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.
28: Julien Gums, RB (Jr.) — Nicholls
Gums was a terrific dual-threat quarterback in high school and was ranked a two-star recruit. The New Orleans native signed with Nicholls as a running back and has established himself as one of the best in school history.
His 2,243 career rushing yards rank third all-time in program history, and he’s tied for third with 30 touchdowns.
As a true freshman in 2018, Gums averaged 6.8 yards a carry (80 attempts for 544 yards) and scored eight touchdowns. He exploded in 2019 with a bigger role, being named to the All-Southland Conference First Team and earning HERO Sports Sophomore All-American honors as he broke the single-season school records with 1,232 rushing yards and 16 rushing TDs.
Gums added eight more TDs and 467 yards rushing on 91 carries in the spring, garnering Second Team All-Conference honors. The Colonels averaged 263.4 rushing yards a game, ranking No. 3 in the FCS.
Gums has a physical running style at 5-foot-10 and 230 pounds. He’ll run behind a great offensive line this fall, led by P.J. Burkhalter and Evan Roussel.
