Welcome to the 2019 FCS Kickoff Jersey Countdown.
The regular season begins Saturday, Aug. 24 with Samford vs. Youngstown State in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff along with Villanova playing at Colgate.
[divider]MORE FCS FOOTBALL:
- FCS Home
- The Best Player in FCS Who Wears Each Number, 1-99
- Preseason Top 25 Poll
- Preseason All-American Teams
- Team By Team & Conference Previews
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HERO Sports is going to count down each day by highlighting the best player in the FCS who wears the jersey number equal to the number of days until kickoff. You can find the running list of top players here.
*Note: Jersey numbers are from the 2018 season.
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32: A.J. Hines, RB (Sr.) — Duquesne
To get through all of Hines' accolades at Duquesne requires a lot of scrolling. He's been racking up awards since his freshman year in 2016. In that first season, Hines won the Jerry Rice Award for the best freshman in the FCS and earned All-NEC First Team honors along with being named a HERO Sports Freshman All-American. He ran for a Duquesne freshman-record of 1,291 yards and 13 touchdowns.
In 2017, Hines added 1,038 more rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games played while adding another All-NEC First Team honor and a nod on HERO Sports' Sophomore All-American team.
Hines didn't slow down last year, rushing for 1,520 yards (third in the FCS) and 15 touchdowns (sixth in the FCS). He was named an All-American by HERO Sports, STATS, AFCA, Athlon Sports and the AP. He added his third All-Conference First Team honor and was named the NEC Offensive Player of the Year.
RELATED: 2019 Duquesne Team Preview
The 5-foot-11 and 225-pounder enters his senior year an easy selection on our Preseason All-American First Team. Hines has no doubt established himself as a top running back in the subdivision and now looks to have his best season yet. He's viewed as a pro prospect and can improve his stock with another big year.
Meet Preseason All-NEC running back AJ Hines.
Can you guess what he’s looking forward to most this season? #GetToKnowTheDukes pic.twitter.com/mdQgcv9hDn
— Duquesne Football (@DuqFB) August 10, 2018
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