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.
43: VJ Malo, DL (Sr.) — Portland State
Malo transferred to Portland State from Golden West College in December 2019. He did not play a full slate of games until the fall of 2021 as the Vikings decided to opt out of the spring season and schedule just one game at Montana.
Malo made the wait worth it, though.
He became a top defensive player in the Big Sky last year. The signs were there early in the season that he was going to be a force. The 6-foot-1 and 270-pound defensive tackle combined for five TFLs and 3.5 sacks in the first two games against FBS opponents Hawaii and Washington State.
Malo finished the season with 45 tackles, 20 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. His 1.8 TFLs per game ranked No. 6 in the FCS and the 20 total TFLs were No. 8. Malo earned All-Big Sky Second Team honors, but should get First Team accolades this preseason along with some All-American recognition.
HERO Sports ranks Malo the No. 5 returning FCS DL.
The Vikings finished 5-6 last year and 4-4 in the Big Sky. The loss of three-year starting quarterback Davis Alexander is a big question mark. But if they can find good play at that spot, the Vikings could be a sleeper team in the standings. Portland State has a super-talented group of WRs with the likes of Beau Kelly, Nate Bennett, and Emmanuel Daigbe. The offensive line returns five players with starting experience. And the defense returns nine starters, led by Malo and All-American DB Anthony Adams.
