Welcome to the 2020 FCS Jersey Countdown.
Throughout the May-August months, HERO Sports is going to name the best returning FCS player by jersey number, 99-1. Due to rosters being updated at different times for teams across the country and to keep things consistent, jersey numbers are based on the 2019 season.
The full 99-1 countdown/schedule can be found here.
*Note: Jersey numbers are based on 2019 rosters.
45: Levi Metheny, LB (Sr.) — Albany
Metheny had a breakthrough season in 2018, totaling 92 tackles as a redshirt sophomore. His growth continued last year, where the 6-foot, 239-pound linebacker led the team with 120 total tackles and led the CAA with 63 solo tackles.
He added 6.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two interceptions as Metheny earned All-Conference Second Team honors.
We expect another huge step forward for Metheny in his senior season, naming him a preseason Second Team All-American.
This type of progression was expected for Metheny, who wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school. A coaches son, Metheny has terrific football smarts and instincts. And when things clicked for him in the third year with the program, he became a leader on the defense.
“People raised eyebrows when we offered him,” Albany head coach Greg Gattuso said last fall. “But I saw a coach’s son, a great basketball player, a good athlete, a really smart guy. He’s a warrior out there. He plays hard and he’s a great leader. He’s somebody that the Bethel Park community and the Metheny family should be proud of.”
