Welcome to the 2022 FCS Jersey Countdown. Leading up to the start of weekly college football odds and 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.
59: Baylee Trusty, OL (Sr.) — Nicholls
Nicholls has had a dynamic rushing attack, ranking No. 5 in the FCS last season (246.7 yards per game), No. 3 in the spring (263.4 YPG), and No. 25 in 2019 (197.1 YPG). A combination of standout talent at RB and good play across the offensive line has led to the success.
While Trusty hasn’t received the postseason accolades like P.J. Burkhalter, Jair Joseph, or Evan Roussel, he has played a big role in that o-line success. He transferred to Nicholls from East Mississippi Community College before the 2021 spring season. The 6-foot-3, 295-pounder has started games at guard and center over the last two years for the Colonels.
With Burkhalter and Joseph gone, Trusty will be a veteran leader on the offensive line. Nicholls also lost QB Lindsey Scott Jr., who transferred to fellow Southland member UIW. Scott led the conference in rushing last season with 990 yards. The Colonels do get the Southland’s No. 3 rusher back in HERO Sports Freshman All-American Collin Guggenheim. He totaled 930 rushing yards and 10 TDs.
Nicholls has a terrific 1-2 punch at RB with Julien Gums returning as well. Gums played in only four games last season, but he looks to replicate his 2019 HERO Sports Sophomore All-American season when he ran for 1,232 yards and 16 TDs. In the spring, Gums rushed for eight touchdowns in six games.
Trusty and the Nicholls o-line will take great pride in opening holes for two of the top-tier returning FCS running backs.
