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
78: Lorenzo Thompson, OL (Sr.) — Rhode Island
Thompson enters his fourth season as Rhody’s starting left tackle.
He was a big part of a talented o-line in 2022 that also featured Ajani Cornelius and Nick Correia. Cornelius transferred to Oregon this offseason. Correia is ranked HERO Sports’ No. 4 returning FCS offensive lineman, and Thompson is ranked No. 24.
Last season, Thompson earned Third Team All-CAA honors as the Rams ranked third in the conference in scoring (30.6 points per game). The 6-foot-7 and 295-pounder was the No. 11 PFF-graded FCS offensive tackle (77.4), highlighted by his 81.0 pass block grade.
In 403 pass snaps, Thompson allowed just four sacks and three quarterback hits, owning an overall pass blocking efficiency of 96.9.
Rhody has been left on the playoff bubble and out of the bracket the last two seasons, finishing 7-4 in 2021 and 2022. Last year, the Rams beat CAA playoff participant Elon, lost to playoff participant New Hampshire by three points, and lost to quarterfinalist William & Mary by one point. With plenty of returning talent back, led by seventh-year quarterback Kasim Hill, the Rams look to get over that playoff hump this fall. They are ranked No. 25 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
