The countdown to the 2018 college football season is on. Four FCS teams are in action Aug. 25 as Duquesne takes on UMass, Prairie View faces Rice and North Carolina A&T and Jacksonville State square off in ESPN’s FCS Kickoff.
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HERO Sports is going to count down each day by highlighting the best player in FCS football who wears the jersey number of the number of days to kickoff. You can find the running list of top players here.
*Note: Jersey numbers are from the 2017 season.
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81: Nathan Stewart, junior Wide Receiver — Sam Houston State
As just a sophomore in 2017, Stewart solidified himself as one of the best receivers in the FCS. He left defenders spinning in circles as he racked up 1,648 receiving yards, which led the FCS and was a SHSU record. Stewart finished third in the subdivision with 117.7 receiving yards per game and tied for fourth with 14 touchdown catches.
Not surprisingly, he found his name on the AP, STATS and HERO Sports All-American teams with the last two being the First Team. Stewart played a big part in quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe winning the Walter Payton Award twice. He had more than 100 yards in seven games last year, including a 247-yard performance against Houston Baptist.
As the Southland Conference Freshman of the Year in 2016, Stewart recorded 1,004 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns. In just two seasons, the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder already has career numbers most collegiate receivers hope for.
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FCS Kickoff Countdown: The Best Player in FCS Who Wears Each Number, 1-99
CFB Countdown: The Best Player in FBS Football, 1-99