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.
94: Jevon Leon, DL (So.) — Sam Houston State
If yesterday’s No. 95 article didn’t convince you how good the SHSU defensive line was last year, then maybe today will.
Texas Tech transfer Joseph Wallace (No. 95) made an immediate impact in 2019. So did true freshman Jevon Leon.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder had 38 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks on the season. His TFLs and sacks were the most among FCS freshmen.
Leon earned HERO Sports Freshman All-American honors and was named on the All-Southland Conference Third Team.
A two-star recruit from Houston, Texas, Leon played in all 12 games for the Bearkats and worked his way into the starting lineup. SHSU ended 2019 as the No. 1 FCS team in rushing defense, allowing just 69.9 yards per game. The Bearkats had three defensive linemen earn All-Conference honors. And all three are back.
Leon was a big contributor from Game 1 on, but especially ended the season strong. In the final six games, he totaled 12.5 TFLs and six sacks.
