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.
96: Hayden Meacham, TE (Sr.) — Weber State
Meacham is a perfect tight end for Weber State’s offense, a unit that wants to be physical and establish the run while keeping a defense unbalanced with play-action.
Meacham likes to get his hands on defenders as a strong blocking tight end at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds. He’s also a great receiving threat in the red zone when the defense is more condensed.
The 2021 season saw Meacham more involved in the offense, grabbing 19 catches for 150 yards and four touchdowns. He earned Third Team All-Big Sky honors. Last year, Meacham caught 17 passes for 191 yards and four more scores.
His 2022 PFF grade of 60.6 is the 15th-highest for a returning FCS tight end this season.
Now a sixth-year senior, Meacham is a leader on a team eyeing deeper playoff success. New head coach Mickey Mental takes over a squad that finished 10-3 and was ranked as high as the Top 5 nationally last year. The Wildcats lost 33-25 at Montana State in a tough second-round pairing.
After trips to the quarterfinals in 2017 and 2018 and a semifinal appearance in 2019, Weber State hasn’t made it past the second round since. The Wildcats lose their starting QB, leading rusher, and top WR from 2022. But the o-line is experienced, and Damon Bankston had a healthy 709 rushing yards and a team-high eight rushing TDs. Meacham’s blocking will be essential again, and he may be looked at more in the passing game.
Expect a strong season as HERO Sports ranks him the No. 20 returning FCS tight end in the country.
