Nebraska football announced this season’s first four recipients on Wednesday uniform single-digit numbers. Billy Kemp (1), Isaac Gifford (2), Luke Reimer (4) and Jeff Sims (7) secured the rights to one of the coveted numbers. Presumably, the remaining six players will be named in the coming days.
Between this announcement, my open letter to Trev Alberts demanding that Dave Rimington’s number 50 be permanently retired, and as I get a year older, I have numbers in my brain. So kindly, give me a quick 1, 2, 3 on some Husker digital topics.
1) I love the new single digit tradition that Matt Rhule is starting.
Head Coach Matt Rhule introduced the idea in March. At his previous coaching stops, he grew tired of trying to balance a hard-working upperclassman’s desire to have a single-digit number with the demands of a coveted recruit.
I’m not sure when a single number became THE status symbol for a college football player. But looking through some Husker rosters from the last decade, it’s easy to see that NU liked to present them as carrots to high-profile signees.
Hell, look at the true freshmen to wear No. 1 since 2012: Jordan Westerkamp, Boaz Joseph, Lamar Jackson, Tyjon Lindsey, Wan’Dale Robinson and Decoldest Crawford. Lots of recruiting hype. But only the top three completed their eligibility at Nebraska.
If single-digits are the team’s most coveted numbers, shouldn’t they go to the “toughest guys on the team,” who, as Rhule said in March, “best exemplify What does it mean to be a Cornhusker? Rhule wants single-digit numbers to be worn by guys who know what it means to “be responsible, be reliable, be tough (and) work hard every day.”
The best part: these decisions are not made by the technical staff, but by a vote of the team. I hope this will be part of NU’s restored culture for years to come.
2) But what about the offensive linemen?
Let’s take another look at the characteristics Rhule wants his team to look for when selecting who gets a single-digit jersey: responsible, reliable, tough and hard-working – every day. That sounds like how one might describe a good offensive lineman.
However, there’s a catch: NCAA rules state that offensive linemen “must wear jerseys numbered 50 through 79.”
No other positions are subject to this restriction. Defensive linemen may wear only one number. A handful of Huskers have carried single digits on the defensive line in recent years, including Caleb Tannor (2) and Maliek Collins (7).
So even if, for example, Ethan Piper was voted among the best, he would likely keep his current number (57).
Poor offensive linemen. All the work, none of the benefits and little glory.
Here’s my suggestion: Set aside one or two lineman-friendly numbers that will only be issued if one of the big uglies finishes high enough in the team vote.
What number(s)? The good news is that Nebraska is a school with a long tradition of offensive line excellence. Of Nebraska’s nine Outland Trophy winners, six have been won by offensive linemen. Therefore, set aside the jersey numbers of one or two Outland winners as a reward for being voted one of the toughest by the team.
A quick refresher on the numbers worn by the Outland-winning Husker offensive linemen:
- 50 – Dave Rimington. I’m pretty firm on my stance that the only two-time Outland winner should have his number. permanently retired.
- 67 – Aaron Taylor
- 71 – Dean Steinkuhler
- 72 – Zach Wiegert
- 75 – Will Shields
I don’t know which one(s) I would choose, but you can’t go wrong with any of them. I would also be willing to add the number of the deceased Jake Young (68) in this list.
3) Three numbers, 27, 18 and second generations.
There will likely be additional changes to the uniform numbers once all single-digit numbers are announced. Guys who haven’t gotten a single number yet might try to get different numbers before the season starts, especially if a desirable number is available. For example, Billy Kemp’s previous number (15) tends to be very popular among Husker players and fans. Additionally, as of this writing, the roster includes three different players listed at numbers 26, 41, 42, 45, 48, and 88.
But there’s another number I don’t expect to see on the field this fall: 27. As you probably know, 27 was the number of punter Sam Foltz, who died in a car accident in July 2016.
When I started writing this section, I was convinced that no Husker had worn 27 since Foltz passed away. But after double-checking, it appears 27 were issued once: defensive back Kyan Brumfield, who played on special teams against Fordham in 2021. If not for the photo in Brumfield biographyI would have thought it was a typo.
I don’t know when – or if – Sam’s 27 will be issued again. There is no manual, no rules when a beloved player dies before his time. Just the right balance between honoring a fallen teammate and the reality of placing over 130 players in 97 available issues. I’m just glad I don’t have to make those decisions.
In the spring, punter Brian Buschini changed his number from 95 to 18 to honor the legacy of former Husker quarterback Brook Berringer, who also died far too young. I have a lot of respect for Buschini taking the time to learn about Brook and choosing to honor him in this way.
Since I don’t want to end on a depressing note, let’s end with this:
There are 5-10 players on the 2023 roster whose fathers also played for Nebraska, including Barron Miles Jr., Michael Booker III, Conor Connealy, Maverick Noonan and others who I probably missed.
To date, neither son has chosen to wear his father’s numbers. Javin Wright (33) and Elliott Brown (41) seem to have taken inspiration from the numbers worn by their fathers Toby Wright (33) and Lance Brown (14).
