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.
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- 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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18: Samuel Akem, WR (Jr.) — Montana
Akem showed flashes his redshirt freshman year in 2017, catching 18 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Then last season, he emerged as one of the best receiving threats in the Big Sky Conference and the FCS.
At 6-foot-4 and 201 pounds, Akem had 59 receptions for 879 yards and 13 touchdowns. He ranked first in the Big Sky and sixth in the subdivision in touchdown catches.
RELATED: 2019 Montana Season Preview
Akem was a consistent target for the Grizzlies and had five or more receptions in eight of 11 games. He earned All-Conference Second Team honors and was named a HERO Sports Sophomore All-American.
Akem is just a junior and is already a top WR in the Big Sky entering 2019. And that's saying something, as the conference is home to the best receivers in the FCS. He is named on our All-American Third Team.
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