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.
42: Bryson Armstrong, LB (Sr.) — Kennesaw State
Armstrong has had an illustrious FCS career with one more season to go.
He wasn’t just the best FCS freshman back in 2017 when he won the Jerry Rice Award. Armstrong was one of the best defensive players in the FCS period. He earned multiple All-American honors as he totaled 114 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, three interceptions, 10 passes defended, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Armstrong followed that up with HERO Sports Sophomore All-American honors in 2018. And last year, he was named to four different All-American Second Teams, won the Big South Defensive Player of the Year award and was named to his third straight All-Conference First Team.
Armstrong may not be an imposing figure as a 5-foot-11, 212-pound linebacker. But he flies all over the field and is a sound, aggressive tackler. In three seasons, the former two-star high school recruit has racked up 284 total tackles, 34.5 TFLs, 17 sacks, five interceptions, 16 passes defended, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.
For our preseason All-Americans, Armstrong was an easy First Team selection.