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.
57: Jacob Roberts, LB (So.) — North Carolina A&T
NC A&T’s tradition of strong defense continued in 2019, and a big reason why was the emergence of freshman linebacker Jacob Roberts.
Roberts finished third on the team with 56 tackles in nine games played along with 11.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one interception. He earned All-MEAC Second Team honors and was a HERO Sports Freshman All-American.
In yet another Celebration Bowl win, Roberts was named the game’s defensive MVP after registering nine tackles and 0.5 TFLs.
“Jacob is everything we thought he would be when we recruited him,” NC A&T head coach Sam Washington said. “Now, he still has a lot of improving to do and we want him to get better. But it’s obvious to anyone that he can play this game.”