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. Because team rosters are updated at different times 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 2022 rosters.
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.
A three-star recruit out of Monroe, Washington, in the class of 2020, Chism chose EWU over offers from Air Force, Georgetown, Idaho, Idaho State, Montana State, and Northern Colorado.
The 6-foot, 200-pounder became a go-to target for the Eagles two seasons ago, catching 57 passes for 735 yards and nine TDs. Chism earned All-Big Sky Conference Third Team honors and was named a HERO Sports Freshman All-American.
Last year, Chism added 62 catches for 607 yards and six touchdowns, once again getting named to the All-Conference Third Team.
EWU has a dynamite lineage of all-time great FCS WRs. Chism is currently sixth in school history with an average of 4.73 receptions per game.
On top of his 81.5 PFF offensive grade in 2021 and his 76.7 receiving grade in 2022, Chism is explosive in the return game as well. He averaged 20.3 yards per kick return in 2021 (10 returns for 203 yards), and 21.5 last season (19 returns for 408 yards).
The Eagles have a new starting quarterback for the second season in a row entering this fall. But life is a little easier for the signal-caller when you have Chism as a target. HERO Sports ranks him as the 17th-best returning FCS wide receiver.
