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
59: Nathan Mejia, OL (So.) — Sacramento State
Sac State finished No. 7 in FCS rushing offense last year, averaging 243.3 yards per game en route to a 12-1 overall record.
Four full-time starters are back on that offensive line: Nathan Mejia (6’3″ 295 lbs), Jackson Slater (6’4″ 303 lbs), Troy Stiefel (6’5″ 290 lbs), and Ivan Garza (6’5″ 290 lbs). Kenndel Riley (6’3″ 320 lbs) also returns after getting two starts in the playoffs.
Mejia, Slater, and Stiefel were All-Big Sky selections last year. Mejia (Second Team All-Conference) was also named a HERO Sports Freshman All-American, and Slater earned FCS All-American honors.
Mejia manned the middle of the o-line, starting all 13 games at center as a second-year freshman. The three-star high school recruit didn’t take long to make an impact.
His 69.7 PFF offensive grade ranked No. 24 among FCS centers. Mejia had a pass-blocking grade of 70.0 and a run-blocking grade of 69.3. In 500 pass-blocking reps recorded by PFF, he allowed zero sacks, one hit, and 13 hurries for a 98.5 efficiency.
Sac State has to replace its two leading rushers in 2022 Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year Cameron Skattebo and quarterback Asher O’Hara. The Hornets return RB Marcus Fulcher, who rushed 74 times for 474 yards (6.3 YPC) and eight scores to earn All-Big Sky Third Team accolades.
Fulcher will run behind one of the better offensive lines in the Big Sky.
