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.
58: Patrick O’Connell, LB (Sr.) — Montana
O’Connell is arguably the best linebacker in the FCS, and everything he’s accomplished in his career has been earned through hard work and belief.
The Kalispell, Montana, native began his college career in 2017 at D2 University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. He decided to leave the school and a scholarship to walk on at Montana. O’Connell earned respect in his redshirt season with the Griz in 2018, being named the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year. He climbed the depth chart from there, playing in all 14 games in 2019 with eight starts. O’Connell recorded 56 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and led the team with 6.5 sacks.
He was an underrated part of the 2019 Griz defense, but we had our eye on him as a breakout player in 2021. O’Connell reached those expectations and then some.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder became one of the top defensive players in the FCS with his relentless and aggressive style of play. O’Connell totaled 105 tackles, 22 TFLs, 14 sacks, six quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles, and one defensive touchdown.
O’Connell earned All-Big Sky First Team honors and racked up several All-American accolades: HERO Sports First Team, Stats Perform First Team, Phil Steele First Team, Associated Press Second Team, and AFCA Second Team. He finished third in Buck Buchanan Award voting with 83 points, behind Montana State LB Troy Andersen’s 103 points and Florida A&M EDGE Isaiah Land’s 125 points.
Montana CB Justin Ford was just behind his teammate in fourth place with 77 points. Ford is returning along with O’Connell, All-American safety Robby Hauck, and Sophomore All-American DL Alex Gubner. The Griz face their highest expectations in years led by its tremendous defense, ranking No. 4 in our preseason Top 25.
