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.
9: Willie Eubanks III, LB (Sr.) — The Citadel
Eubanks plays with tremendous range and energy on the football field. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder has next-level potential with his skillset — a sound tackler in space with great closing speed that is also effective in pass coverage.
He has been highly productive dating back to 2018 when he totaled 80 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.
In 2019, Eubanks racked up 112 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, four sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception, and four pass breakups. He was named the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year by the coaches and the media, and he was named to four different All-American teams.
Eubanks added another 70 tackles, six TFLs, and two sacks in eight games during the 2020-21 season.
A HERO Sports Preseason First-Team All-American, Eubanks looks to have a huge senior season to get himself even further onto the NFL radar. He was surprisingly left off of the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist, although that doesn’t mean he won’t get an invite after this season.
Eubanks is no doubt one of the very best linebackers in the FCS, and we ranked him the No. 2 returning player at his position.
