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.
20: Josh Davis, RB (Sr.) — Weber State
Davis is one of the most special talents at the running back position in the FCS. At 5-foot-9 and 195 pounds, he has an incredible burst and top-end speed for explosive plays, but also runs with a tough and physical mindset for his size. Unfortunately, Davis’ last two seasons have been hampered by injuries. He missed the last two games in the spring with an ankle injury and missed about a month of action with a leg injury last season.
Perhaps that has resulted in us around the FCS forgetting how good Davis is when healthy.
The Jerry Rice Award winner in 2018, given to the best FCS freshman, Davis had 250 carries for 1,362 yards and nine TDs. He also recorded 30 receptions for 193 yards and had 14 punt returns for 224 yards and one touchdown. Davis earned All-Big Sky Conference First Team honors, was named the Big Sky Freshman of the Year, and received a nod on the HERO Sports Freshman All-American Team.
In 2019, Davis picked up several more accolades: All-Big Sky First Team, HERO Sports Sophomore All-American, and HERO Sports Third Team All-American. In 15 games, he ran for 1,136 yards and 11 touchdowns on 183 rushes, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Davis added 29 catches for 144 yards and a TD along with five kick returns for 155 yards.
Davis became a three-time All-Conference First Team selection in the spring, leading the Big Sky with 96.2 rushing yards a game. He ran 66 times for 386 yards and one touchdown in four games, adding six receptions for 59 yards and a score. Davis never looked fully healthy in the 2021 fall with a short turnaround time from the spring. He suffered another leg injury midway through the season and appeared in only six games, rushing 64 times for 281 yards and two scores.
Now in his sixth year with the program, Davis eyes a healthy and 2018/2019-like season. He is third in school history with 3,165 career rushing yards and seventh in career all-purpose yards (4,045).
Weber State also looks to recover from a down year last fall, finishing 6-5 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2015. The Wildcats, who made the quarterfinals in 2017 and 2018 and the semifinals in 2019, received plenty of preseason votes and are ranked No. 20 in the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25.
