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.
79: Dontae Keys, OL (Sr.) — North Carolina A&T
The Aggies had little worries about protecting their quarterback over these last couple of seasons. Last year, NC A&T gave up just 1.08 sack per game, which tied for the 10th best in the FCS. Highlighting that unit has been Marcus Pettiford at left tackle and Dontae Keys at right tackle.
Keys now may be asked to slide to the left side of the line with the All-American Pettiford being a senior last year.
At 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, Keys started nine games at RT in 2018 and 12 more games last season as the Aggies won another HBCU title. Out of his 725 snaps, he graded out at 85 percent and gave up just three sacks with 19 knockdown blocks. His play earned him All-MEAC Second Team honors.
“My teammates feel that I have great leadership qualities,” Keys told NFL Draft Diamonds. “I am not afraid to be real about their performance and their development as a teammate and player. I am upfront about the offensive lines performance as a whole and I hold myself to a higher standard than most.”
