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.
2: Xavier Gipson, WR (Sr.) — Stephen F. Austin
Gipson is the top WR target in the FCS entering 2022, ranked HERO Sports’ No. 1 returning wide receiver.
A three-star recruit by 247Sports, Gipson has put together All-American seasons since his true freshman year in 2019. He recorded 52 receptions for 934 yards and seven TDs as a HERO Sports Freshman All-American. SFA then chose to play 10 games in the fall of 2020 instead of the 2021 spring season. Gipson tallied 52 catches for 841 yards and nine TDs, getting named a HERO Sports Sophomore All-American.
At 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, Gipson is a tough matchup from the slot. A great route-runner and electric after the catch, defenses had a tough time slowing him down last fall. He totaled 74 catches for 14 TDs and an FCS-leading 1,367 yards, earning several All-American accolades.
Gipson enters 2022 as the active FCS wide receiver in career receiving yards (3,158) and career receiving TDs (30). A HERO Sports Preseason First Team All-American, Gipson’s WR-QB duo with Trae Self (a Stats Perform Preseason Third Team All-American) is a big reason why the Lumberjacks are getting a ton of preseason love. They went 8-4 last fall, ending in the first round of the playoffs against UIW. SFA was No. 12 in FCS scoring offense (34.2 PPG) and No. 17 in scoring defense (19.3 PPG).
The experienced returning team is ranked No. 10 in the Stats Perform Preseason Top 25 media poll.
Gipson has the talent to have a successful career beyond SFA, and he is ranked No. 4 on Josh Buchanan’s 2023 Top 100 Small School Prospects.
