A part of The Analyst’s FCS faculty soccer collection referred to as “By the Numbers,” which analyzes information to assist inform the story of the Soccer Championship Subdivision.
The 2023 FCS faculty soccer season was a particular one with a plethora of distinctive and proficient people. The query is, after the NCAA switch portal and commencement took a few of that expertise away, what number of standouts are left heading into the 2024 season?
Because it seems, the cabinet is hardly dry.
A number of the FCS nationwide statistical leaders final 12 months are on spring rosters, preparing for the upcoming season.
Who can we look ahead to seeing this 12 months?
Right here’s a take a look at returning gamers who ranked No. 1 in several FCS nationwide statistics final season:
Offense
Passing Effectivity: Mark Gronowski, South Dakota State, Sr.
Statistics: 179.67 passing effectivity (additionally 3,058 yards, 29 TDs)
Subsequent Up: Cam Miller, North Dakota State (169.0 passing effectivity – No. 2 within the FCS)
The Skinny: Gronowski has been an enormous a part of the Jackrabbits’ two consecutive nationwide championships. The 2023 Stats Carry out Walter Payton Award recipient (introduced by FedEx Floor) hardly ever makes errors (13 profession interceptions in 851 passing makes an attempt) and he’s thrown for 7,590 yards and 70 touchdowns, whereas additionally dashing for 1,387 yards and 27 touchdowns. He seems set for an additional particular season.
Completion Proportion: Kyle Wickersham, Richmond, Jr.
Statistics: 72.6% (138 of 190 passing)
Subsequent Up: Cam Miller, North Dakota State (72.0%)
The Skinny: Wickersham was ranked because the No. 1 quarterback in his dwelling state of Louisiana popping out of highschool. He’s simply getting began together with his profession, but when his father is any indication, Wickersham has a whole lot of success forward of him. Jeff Wickersham threw for almost 7,000 profession yards at LSU, which led to him being drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1986.
Lowest Interception Proportion: C.J. Montes, Fordham, Jr.
Statistics: 0.3% (just one INT in 376 go makes an attempt)
Subsequent Up: Will McElvain, Central Arkansas (1.3% – 5 INTs in 376 go makes an attempt)
The Skinny: After transferring in from New Mexico, Montes’ 2023 season at Fordham was eye-popping. Throwing only one interception in 376 go makes an attempt is an unbelievable feat at any degree, and he was particularly spectacular within the Rams’ win over FBS Buffalo, throwing for 309 yards and 5 touchdowns and – you guessed it – no interceptions.
Receptions/Receptions Per Recreation: Chedon James, Idaho State, Jr.
Statistics: 102 catches for 9.3 receptions per recreation (1,045 receiving yards, 8 TDs)
Subsequent Up: Efton Chism III, Japanese Washington (7.6 receptions per recreation)
The Skinny: James examined the waters of the switch portal, however is on Idaho State’s spring roster. As a sophomore final 12 months, this electrical offensive menace out of California led the FCS in receptions only one season faraway from a freshman marketing campaign wherein he caught simply 28 balls.
Protection
Whole Interceptions: Cole Wisniewski, North Dakota State, Sr.
Statistics: 8 INTs (one TD return)
Subsequent Up: Kaleb Lyons, Japanese Illinois (switch from Morehead State this offseason), and Jihad McCall, Morehead State (6 INTs apiece)
The thin: After three seasons and 33 video games performed at NDSU with out intercepting a go, Wisniewski exploded for the FCS excessive in interceptions with eight. However the first-team All-American wasn’t finished there as he averaged 29.9 yards per interception return for the FCS semifinalist squad. The security additionally had 92 tackles and 13 passes defensed in 2023.
Tackles For Loss: Terrell Allen, Tennessee State, Sr.
Statistics: 28.0 TFLs (149 yards in losses, together with 14.5 sacks for 123 yards)
Subsequent Up: Ckelby Givens, Southern (21.0 TFLs)
The Skinny: Allen is a one-man wrecking ball and has been since he started his profession at Austin Peay again within the 2020 season. This previous 12 months, he was a harmful power to opposing recreation plans whereas profitable the Stats Carry out Buck Buchanan Award (introduced by FedEx Floor). It’s not shocking he has been profitable on the FCS degree, as his North Little Rock Excessive Faculty staff reached the Arkansas state championship recreation yearly he performed there.
Whole Tackles: Micah Davey, McNeese, Jr.
Statistics: 152 tackles (82 solos as a sophomore)
Subsequent Up: James Conway, Fordham, Sr. (129 tackles)
The Skinny: Davey, the son of former LSU star quarterback Rohan Davey, exploded onto the nationwide scene final season. The junior-to-be may attain the college file for profession tackles (524) with two extra seasons on the tempo of his sophomore marketing campaign (he has 221 profession tackles).
Fumbles Recovered: Sam Buerkle, Fordham, Jr.; Wyatt Pedigo, North Dakota, Sr.
Statistics: 4 fumbles recovered every
The Skinny: Buerkle was a beast on the line of defense for Fordham final season, and has been a key contributor since he stepped on campus as a freshman. Pedigo, a linebacker, completed with 72 tackles and seven.5 tackles for loss to go together with his fumble recoveries.
Particular Groups
Area Aim Proportion: Will Leyland, South Dakota, Jr.
Statistics: 13 of 13, 100% (lengthy of fifty, additionally 38 of 38 on PATs)
Subsequent Up: Kyle Ramsey, Abilene Christian (93.3% – 14 of 15)
The Skinny: Leyland has been on South Dakota’s roster since approaching board as a walk-on in 2020, however by no means noticed motion till final fall, when he ended up main the FCS in area aim share. He hit a 50-yarder towards North Dakota State and drilled two 41-yard kicks to assist beat Youngstown State 34-31. Between area targets and PATs, he by no means missed a kick.
Punting Common: Aidan Laros, UT Martin, Jr.
Statistics: 47.3 yards per punt (52 punts, 18 50+ yards)
Subsequent Up: Josh Cupitt, Delaware (44.9 yards per punt at Towson final season)
The Skinny: Laros, a local of South Africa, transferred to UT Martin final offseason from FBS Charlotte, the place he primarily dealt with kickoffs. However he grew to become the FCS’ No. 1 punter in his first season with the Skyhawks, booming 18 punts of fifty+ yards and nailing down the competitors inside its 20-yard line 17 instances. He additionally made 10 of 16 area targets and was good for 63.3 yards per kickoff as a three-tool particular groups standout.
Kick/Punt Return Touchdowns: Junior Bergen, Montana, Sr.
Statistics: 4 TD returns (3 punts, 1 kickoff – 863 whole kick/punt return yards)
Subsequent Up: Donovan Wadley, Merrimack (3 TD returns – all kickoffs)
The Skinny: Bergen was notably electrical on the nationwide stage of the 2023 FCS postseason, when the Grizzlies superior to the nationwide championship recreation. After making such a loud splash nationally, it was thought he could depart through the switch portal or presumably to change into a professional, however he made it recognized fairly rapidly he was returning to play for the Griz. He additionally caught 59 passes for 791 yards and 5 TDs final 12 months.
Just like the FCS faculty soccer protection? Take a look at the season-ending FCS Nationwide Awards and observe us on X and Fb for extra.
