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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45: Nasir Player, DL (Sr.) — East Tennessee State
Player has been racking up accolades ever since starting as a redshirt freshman in 2016. He kicked it off with Southern Conference All-Freshman Team honors. In 2017, Player was named to the All-SoCon First Team after totaling 67 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and six quarterback hurries.
Then last year, the 6-foot-5 and 271-pounder earned All-American honors from Phil Steele, the AFCA and STATS while also getting another nod on the All-SoCon First Team. Player was a beast again, posting 43 tackles, 11 TFLs, six sacks, 11 QB hurries and three forced fumbles
We expect Player to have another monster season, naming him to the HERO Sports Preseason All-American First Team. And with his size and athleticism, he'll be a guy NFL scouts fall in love with if they haven't already.
RELATED: 2019 ETSU Preview
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