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.
25: Michael Tutsie, DB (Sr.) — North Dakota State
With the number of games and championships the Bison have won in the last decade, they of course have a great history of standout players at different position groups. The first to come to mind is quarterbacks and offensive lineman … and running backs … and linebackers. Perhaps an underrated position group is just how good NDSU has been at the safety position.
Michael Tutsie has etched his name on that long list of standouts, being a star on the backend of NDSU’s defense for four seasons now. He’ll get a sixth year on the roster in 2022 thanks to the COVID extra year of eligibility.
Tutsie showed glimpses of brilliance as a redshirt freshman in 2018 with two interceptions. He took over as the starting strong safety in 2019, finishing second on the team with 105 tackles and snagging an MVFC-high seven interceptions. He was named an All-Conference Honorable Mention and earned HERO Sports Sophomore All-American honors.
During the 2020-21 season, Tutsie totaled 50 tackles and two TFLs in 10 games and got a nod on the All-MVFC Second Team. The 5-foot-11, 189-pounder arguably had a “down” year in the spring with less splashy plays compared to 2019. But Tutsie returned to form last season as an All-Conference First Team selection and All-American accolades from HERO Sports (First Team) and Stats Perform (Third Team). He was NDSU’s second leading tackler with 81, adding one interception and four passes defended.
Tutsie has massive expectations heading into his final year. We rank him the No. 1 returning FCS safety, and he was recently named to the Buck Buchanan Award preseason watch list along with teammates defensive end Spencer Waege and linebacker James Kaczor.
Tutsie has started 41 straight games at strong safety. He ranks 10th in school history with 136 solo tackles.
