Welcome to the 2023 FCS Jersey Countdown.
Leading up to Week 0 games on Aug. 26, 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.
Below you will find the running list of players honored, along with links to the individual stories.
Note: Jersey numbers are based on 2022 rosters.
99: Nate Lynn, DL (Sr.) — William & Mary
The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder was at it again last fall, totaling 61 tackles, 13 TFLs, eight sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, and four forced fumbles. Lynn garnered All-CAA First Team accolades again while being named a Stats Perform Third Team All-American. … READ MORE
98: Ryan Van Marel, DL (Sr.) — South Dakota State
Van Marel took on starting duties in 2022, plugging up the middle at defensive tackle for an elite rushing defense. The Jackrabbits led the FCS with 88.1 rush yards allowed per game and 2.84 yards per rush. Van Marel, at 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, totaled 19 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. … READ MORE
97: Clay Patterson, DL (Sr.) — Yale
Yale had a stout defense last season, helping the Bulldogs finish 8-2 overall and 6-1 in the Ivy League to win the conference title, its third in the last five seasons. The unit allowed just 19.5 points per game (No. 5 in the FCS) and 105.5 rushing yards per game (No. 7). A stalwart on the defensive line for the last two years has been Clay Patterson, a two-time All-Conference selection. … READ MORE
96: Hayden Meacham, TE (Sr.) — Weber State
The 2021 season saw Meacham more involved in the offense, grabbing 19 catches for 150 yards and four touchdowns. He earned Third Team All-Big Sky honors. Last year, Meacham caught 17 passes for 191 yards and four more scores. … READ MORE
95: Sebastian Valdez, DL (Jr.) — Montana State
Valdez has developed into a top interior defensive lineman in the Big Sky Conference and the FCS. And the big man is only halfway through his college career. … READ MORE
94: Dylan Ruiz, DL (Jr.) — New Hampshire
Ruiz racked up 60 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, seven quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles. He earned All-CAA First Team honors along with All-American accolades from HERO Sports (All-Sophomore Team), the Associated Press (Third Team), The Bluebloods (Second Team), and Phil Steele (Fourth Team). … READ MORE
93: Lucas Hunter, DL (Sr.) — Indiana State
Hunter is a big, strong presence in the middle of Indiana State’s defense. The 6-foot-2, 280-pounder is tough to move, and he can be a big-time disruptor to offenses. … READ MORE
92: Chubba Maae, DL (Jr.) — UC Davis
Maae has been a nightmare for Big Sky offenses to block. The 6-foot-2, 347-pounder is a two-time All-Conference selection. … READ MORE
91: Will Mostaert, DL (Sr.) — North Dakota State
From his interior DL spot last season, Mostaert tallied 33 tackles, four TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and five quarterback hurries. He graded out on PFF at 73.2 with a run-defense grade of 76.0. Mostaert’s play earned him All-MVFC Honorable Mention honors. … READ MORE
90: Finn Claypool, DL (Soph.) — Drake
Claypool’s overall defensive grade on PFF of 92.2 was the second-highest among FCS edge defenders, trailing Central Arkansas’ Davis Walker (92.9). He has a special gift of getting after the quarterback, and his pass rush grade of 93.3 was No. 1 in the FCS. … READ MORE
89: Efton Chism III, WR (Jr.) — Eastern Washington
One-handed catches, acrobatic catches, diving catches, hurdling defenders, spinning off would-be tacklers, explosive kick returns … Chism has been a highlight-reel-machine for EWU’s offense. … READ MORE
88: Tyler Neville, TE (Sr.) — Harvard
Neville developed into a breakout player for the Crimson last season as a junior. Cancer-free and standing at a strong 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, Neville caught 26 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns. He earned First Team All-Ivy League honors. … READ MORE
87: Zach Heins, TE (Sr.) — South Dakota State
Last season, Heins tallied 29 catches for 347 yards and four TDs. He became a three-time All-Conference selection with Second Team honors. … READ MORE
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