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.
51: Taylor Tuiasosopo, OL (Sr.) — Montana State
Montana State had the No. 7 rushing offense in 2017 (249.5 YPG), No. 17 in 2018 (231.8 YPG), and No. 8 in 2019 (258.1 YPG). The Bobcats will have a terrific ground game again in 2021 with standout running back Isaiah Ifanse and offensive linemen with multiple years of starting experience.
Tuiasosopo is one of those veteran big men, starting 28 games at guard dating back to 2017. The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder has lived up to high expectations since arriving on campus in 2016 as a two-star recruit out of California.
Tuiasosopo will garner more postseason accolades this fall after being named to the 2019 All-Big Sky Third Team. The Bobcats did not play in 2020-21 due to COVID.
MSU expects to remain a run-heavy team, although new head coach Brent Vigen’s reputation of developing quarterbacks could make the Bobcats more balanced than past seasons. They should have one of the better o-lines in the FCS with Tuiasosopo a leader on that unit.
