The only two black college players to make Sam Herder’s Preseason FCS Preview Central for Hero Sports’ list of the 30 best returning wide receivers in 2025 FCS football are both at defending SWAC and Celebration Bowl champion Jackson State – redshirt juniors Nathan Rembert and Joanes Fortilien.
Fortilien, a 6-5, 220-pound match-up nightmare at wideout, is the player that lit up MEACchampion South Carolina State for TD receptions of 4 and 14 yards in JSU’s 28-7 win in last year’s Celebration Bowl. In both scoring receptions on fade patterns in the end zone, Fortilien used his size to hold off defenders.
Fortilien is particularly a weapon in the redzone where he led the SWAC last season with Fortilien 11 TD receptions off a total of 41 receptions for 627 yards. That is one TD for every 3.8 receptions. Hewas identified as the 28th best FCS receiver.
With Rembert, a first team all-SWAC transfer from Mississippi Valley State, as his receiving partner and Celebration Bowl MVP Jacobian Morgan returning as his quarterback, Fortilien should put up better numbers this season.
The 5-9, 180-pound Rembert is a stunning contrast to Fortilien. He lit up the SWAC at 1-11 MVSU last season tying for league bests with 70 receptions for 1,038 yards, averaging 81 receiving yards per game. Both the latter stats were second-best in the league. Needless to say, he was the lonebright spot for the Delta Devils and the only MVSU player to earn all-SWAC status. He decided to stayat Jackson State after briefly stating in April that he was entering the transfer portal.
Before moving to MVSU, Rembert was a standout at Edward Waters of the SIAC in 2023 where he averaged 22.8 yards per catch en route to earning first-team all-conference honors. He is rated seventh among returning FCS receivers.
A 2024 black college player that likely would have made Herder’s FCS list is former Tennessee State wideout Karate Brenson who transferred to FBS and ACC member Wake Forest. The 6-2, 215-pounder totalled 79 catches for 1,088 yards and six touchdowns in 2024, the most by any Tigers receiver since Chris Rowland caught 104 passes for 1,437 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019.