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
76: Jackson Slater, OL (Jr.) — Sacramento State
Slater has been an instant impact player for Sac State as a two-year starter in two seasons on campus.
A three-star recruit from Bellevue, Washington, Slater started the final nine games of his 2021 debut season at left guard. Last year, he started all 11 regular-season games at left guard and then had to move to starting left tackle for the two playoff games.
The 6-foot-4, 303-pounder earned 2022 First Team All-Big Sky honors and was named a HERO Sports Sophomore All-American, an Associated Press Third Team All-American, and a Phil Steele Fourth Team All-American.
In 506 pass-blocking snaps recorded on PFF, Slater allowed just two sacks and 11 hurries, owning a pass-blocking efficiency of 98.1. His overall PFF pass-blocking grade was 77.9
HERO Sports ranks Slater the 14th-best returning FCS offensive lineman, and we ranked Sac State No. 10 in our FCS Preseason Top 25.
The Hornets finished 12-1 last year, losing a 66-63 shootout in the quarterfinals as the No. 2 seed to No. 7 seed UIW. They lose multiple star players and head coach Troy Taylor, but the overall number of returning starters is strong for first-year HC Andy Thompson. Eight of Sac State’s top 11 tacklers return along with leading pass-catcher Marshel Martin at TE, No. 2 WR Jared Gipson, and No. 2 RB Marcus Fulcher. The offensive line brings back three All-Conference performers in Troy Stiefel, Nathan Mejia, and Slater.
