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.
23: Jordan Jones, DB (Sr.) — Rhode Island
Jones emerged as one of the best cornerbacks in the FCS last season. It was a long process for him to get to that point, though, after he transferred to Rhode Island from Nassau Community College, where he was a 2017 JuCo All-American and a 2018 team captain.
He didn’t see much action in 2019 in his first season with the Rams, appearing in four games. Jones had a bigger impact in the spring, but the season was reduced to just three games. He totaled 12 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and four pass breakups.
Then last fall was his coming-out party.
Starting all 11 games, Jones tallied 36 tackles, one sack, six interceptions, and eight pass breakups. The six interceptions tied for the fourth-most in the FCS, and one of those picks was returned 100 yards for a touchdown against Brown. The 6-foot, 180-pounder was named an Associated Press Second Team All-American and he also earned All-CAA Second Team honors.
Jones was recognized on the All-CAA Preseason First Team this summer, and we rank him the No. 6 returning FCS cornerback.
The Rams are picked to finish third in what should be a competitive CAA race for the playoff auto-bid and at-large bids. They went 7-4 last year, losing four of their final six games after a 5-0 start. Rhody was one of the first three teams left out of the 2021 playoff bracket with Mercer and Eastern Kentucky.
