As the college football season gets going, HERO Sports takes a look at the top returners at each position in every FCS conference.
More Top Players: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | OL | LBs | DL
While there are many elite offensive players in the FCS this season, don't sleep on the defense, especially in the backfield. Several FCS defensive backs will be playing in the NFL a year from now.
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Big Sky: Cole Reyes, North Dakota
The reigning Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Reyes is ranked the No. 8 strong safety in the 2018 NFL Draft. Last year he was second on the team with 70 tackles despite missing two games. He added 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, eight pass break-ups and returned one of three interceptions for a touchdown. [divider]
Big South: Mike Basile, Monmouth
NFLDraftScout ranks Basile the No. 15 free safety entering this season. He has earned all-conference honors since his freshman year in 2014 and was an all-American and STATS Buck Buchanan Award finalist last year. He racked up 110 tackles in 2016. [divider]
Colonial Athletic Association: Rob Rolle, Villanova
Ranked the No. 22 free safety, Rolle emerged as a top defender in the FCS for a terrific Villanova defense in 2016. He was a first team all-conference selection after recording 63 tackles and leading the FCS with seven interceptions. He also scored two defensive touchdowns. [divider]
Ivy League: Nick Gesualdi, Cornell
A unaminous all-conference first team pick last season at safety, Gesualdi is set for a big senior year. His all-American junior season saw him lead the Ivy League with six interceptions and had 81 total tackles. [divider]
Mid-Eastern Athletic: Diquan Richardson, Bethune-Cookman
Richardson is a first team all-conference pick entering his senior season. He got even more preseaon love when he was one of 50 finalists named to the 2017 watch list for the Black College Football Player of the Year award presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame. The safety recorded 60 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and four interceptions last year. [divider]
Missouri Valley Football: Tre Dempsey, North Dakota State
Dempsey is a popular preseason all-American pick as a captain and emotional leader for the Bison defense as a free safety. He was an all-conference and all-American performer last season as he had 53 total tackles and led the MVFC with six interceptions and was second with 13 pass break-ups. [divider]
Northeast: Malik Duncan, St. Francis
Duncan provides a steady presence at cornerback for St. Francis. Last season as a junior he started all 12 games and was a second team all-conference performer. Duncan set the school record with 14 pass break-ups and added 58 tackles. [divider]
Ohio Valley: Marlon Bridges, Jacksonville State
The Gamecocks showed just how good their defense will be last Saturday on ESPN. Bridges is a key part in that as the starting free safety. The crazy part is he's just a sophomore. Last year as a freshman he was named an all-American and conference freshman of the year. Bridges led JSU with 87 tackles. [divider]
Patriot League: Bryan Marine, Bucknell
Marine was just a sophomore cornerback last season but was named to the Patriot League First Team. He has 54 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and three forced fumbles. He also recorded 13 pass break-ups, the most in school history since 2004 despite missing two games due to injury. [divider]
Pioneer Football League: Wesley Beans, Marist
A conference second team defensive back last season, Beans is a top safety in the PFL. He totaled six interceptions last year and made an impact in the run game as well, recording 77 tackles. He's all over the field and had a season-high of 15 tackles against Sacred Heart. [divider]
Southern: Kalil Williams, The Citadel
The 2016 SoCon Defensive Player of the Year has totaled 191 tackles in his career. Last season he recorded 103 of those along with 10 tackles for loss, five pass break-ups and two interceptions. [divider]
Southland: Tremon Smith, Central Arkansas
Smith is a two-time all-conference first team selection. The senior ranks fourth in school history with 37 passes defended. Ten of those have been interceptions. Smith enters his third season starting at cornerback.
