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.
45: Colin Bohanek, LB (Jr.) — Southern Illinois
Note: Jersey numbers are based on 2022 rosters. Bohanek is wearing No. 16 this fall.
Bohanek was a big transfer portal pickup this offseason for SIU. He arrives after three standout seasons at Eastern Illinois.
A 6-foot, 225-pound physical middle linebacker, Bohanek totaled 200 career tackles in 28 games at EIU, including 19 tackles for loss, five sacks, three interceptions, eight passes defended, and five forced fumbles.
He recorded 40 tackles in six games during the 2020-21 season. In 2021, Bohanek racked up 89 stops. And last year, he earned All-OVC Second Team honors with 71 tackles, six TFLs, and two interceptions.
After back-to-back playoff appearances, SIU missed the bracket last season at 5-6. The Salukis went 4-4 in the MVFC and also beat the Big Ten’s Northwestern in the non-conference. Bohanek looks to help boost a defense that allowed 26.7 points per game.
Bohanek is one of five FCS transfers heading to SIU this offseason, including his EIU teammates RB Jaelin Benefield and DE Tim Varga. The Salukis also brought in six FBS transfers.
SIU received votes in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25.
