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.
91: Will Mostaert, DL (Sr.) — North Dakota State
Mostaert is a well-known name for NDSU’s defensive front in recent years. Twins Will and Eli have been key pieces to the Bison’s d-line.
Will played in 14 of 15 games with one start at defensive end in 2021, recording 11 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. He took on a new role in 2022, moving from backup DE to starting defensive tackle.
Mostaert went from 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds in 2021 to 260 pounds in 2022. He’s listed on the 2023 roster at 269 pounds.
From his interior DL spot last season, Mostaert tallied 33 tackles, four TFLs, 1.5 sacks, five quarterback hurries, and a defensive touchdown. 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.
NDSU finished 12-3 last season, losing 45-21 to South Dakota State in the FCS championship game. The Bison didn’t have their usual dominant run defense, allowing 156.9 rushing yards per game to rank No. 60 in the FCS. The 2021 national title squad allowed 87.6 rushing YPG, 2019 allowed 136.1, and 2018 allowed 114.5.
The interior DL returns everyone from last season, so expectations are the Bison will be stronger on the defensive front. It will get a big boost with the return of Eli Mostaert, who was a 2022 preseason All-American but missed a majority of the season due to injury. Led by the Mostaert twins up front and the depth of the rotation behind them, it would be a surprise if NDSU ranked in the middle of the pack of FCS rush defenses again in 2023.
