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.
81: Adrian Hope, LB/DL (Jr.) — Furman
In just two seasons, Adrian Hope has a college career worth of accolades.
- 2018 First Team All-SoCon
- 2018 HERO Sports Freshman All-American and Third Team overall All-American
- 2018 AP Second Team All-American
- 2019 First Team All-SoCon
- 2019 HERO Sports Sophomore All-American
Hope also finished fourth in the 2018 Jerry Rice Award voting, given to the best FCS freshman. He led the FCS with 15 sacks that season.
In his two seasons combined, Hope has 72 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, 21.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. He already ranks third in Furman history for career sacks.
At 6-foot-1 and 218 pounds, Hope is highly disruptive on the football field as he plays the DL/LB hybrid bandit position in Furman’s 3-4 base defense.
“He has a great combination of speed, get-off, and power,” Clay Hendrix said. “He’s not the biggest guy, but he has great power and plays with tremendous leverage. Some of those tackles get so concerned about his get-off that when all of a sudden he attacks with power, it’s something they are not ready for.”
