Welcome to the 2022 FCS Jersey Countdown. Leading up to 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.
9: Benny Sapp III, DB (Sr.) — Northern Iowa
Sapp is a top-tier FCS safety with serious NFL potential. He’s forging his own path but looks to follow similar footsteps of his father.
Benjamin Sapp Jr. played college football at UNI before a successful career in the NFL with the Chiefs, Vikings, and Dolphins. His son, Benny Sapp III, was a three-star recruit in the class of 2018 out of Eden Prairie, which is near Minneapolis, MN. Sapp chose the Minnesota Gophers over 247Sports-reported offers from 26 FBS schools, including Tennesee, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan, Miami, Georgia, Clemson, and Alabama.
After seeing game action with the Gophers in 2018 as a true freshman and in 2019, Sapp hit the transfer portal. He chose a familiar program to his family — UNI.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder added to an already loaded defense. Sapp started all seven games in the 2021 spring season, totaling 33 tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups to earn All-MVFC Newcomer Team honors. Last fall, Sapp recorded 52 tackles, four interceptions, and three pass breakups in 12 games. He was named to the All-Conference First Team as UNI enjoyed a No. 13 ranking in FCS scoring defense (18.0 points allowed per game) and another trip to the playoffs.
Sapp is gaining NFL buzz heading into his senior season. He is the No. 1 prospect on the NFL Draft Diamonds “Top 100 Small School Prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft.” He is also one of The Draft Network‘s “7 FCS Defensive Players To Watch In 2022.”
UNI has had six players drafted since 2015, including two in 2021 (Spencer Brown in the 3rd round and Elerson Smith in the 4th) and one this year (Trevor Penning in the 1st). Sapp has a good shot to be next after an All-American-level senior season.
