Apr 27, 2024; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes offensive tackle Jordan Seaton (77) warms up during a spring game event at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Fans such as myself monitor roster changes every year for the Colorado Buffaloes. From seeing which returning players decide to switch jersey numbers to the newcomers picking their number of choice, it’s a fun exercise to see what’s new. At CU’s fall sports media day last week, I decided to learn the significance behind those number decisions for the players I interviewed.
These stories give us an insight into the lives of the players for whom we cheer. Sometimes, uniform numbers are significant for the player, their family or those they care for. Other times, they’re just numbers that were randomly assigned. Either way, I made it my mission to find out.
Here’s a look at why certain Colorado players are tied to their uniform number:
OL Justin Mayers – No. 66
UTEP’s Justin Mayers (66) at the UTEP Spring Football Showcase on Friday, April 8, 2022, at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.
“In high school, I used to play defensive line and I was No. 99,” Mayers said. “I was a big Aaron Donald fan. We lost about 30 players in my senior year of high school. I switched positions and ended up playing left tackle and D-tackle. And I’m like, ‘You know what? Let me flip it upside down,’ so I’ve been No. 66. I have this thing, it’s like you follow behind me if you want to score. Route 66 is an actual highway. It’s kinda clever.”
LB Jaylen Wester – No. 25
Palmetto High linebacker Jaylen Wester signs with Florida Atlantic University. Wester Jpeg
“My jersey number that has a significant meaning behind it is No. 21,” Wester said. “I’m just rocking the No. 25. I’m just always blessed to be here. Even though I went with No. 25, it’s a different number, but it’s gonna be the same thing I’m bringing when I’m on the field. It’s the same Jaylen Wester, just a different number.”
DL Chidozie Nwankwo – No. 97
Nov 12, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars defensive lineman Chidozie Nwankwo (10) tackles Temple Owls running back Edward Saydee (23) during the first quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
“Coach Prime doesn’t believe in low-digit numbers for D-linemen, which is fine,” Nwankwo said. “That’s how it’s gonna be in the league. But I took No. 97 because of Aaron Donald, his number in college. I want that number. I’m gonna try to live up to it.”
DL BJ Green II – No. 35
Arizona State Sun Devils defensive lineman B.J. Green II (35) reacts after sacking Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Alan Bowman (7) in the first half at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Sept. 9, 2023.
“That was the number I was given as a walk-on,” Green said. “When you think No. 35, you don’t think about nobody but me other than Kevin Durant.”
WR Will Sheppard – No. 14
Nov 25, 2023; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver Will Sheppard (14) catches a pass in warmups before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
“In high school, I wore No. 3 for a long time,” Sheppard said. “I wore No. 20 when I was little because of my dad. But once I started playing receiver, I focused on No. 3. When I got to Vandy, I couldn’t wear No. 3 because it was taken. Then, when it came time to change numbers in my sophomore year, the only available number was 14. I kind of just made it mine. That’s been my thing ever since.”
CB Colton Hood – No. 3
Dec 30, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Shaleak Knotts (4) gets tackled by Auburn Tigers cornerback Colton Hood (24) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
“My number is one; I like wearing No. 1,” Hood said. “I wear No. 1 after my older brother, Caleb. I look up to him. He’s the reason why I wear it. Coach Prime gives No. 1 to the guy who stands out most. I’m battling for it in fall camp. Right now, I’ve got No. 3, and I like it. No. 3 means divinity. I’m just doing what I do in it. I don’t care too much about the number because the player makes the number, so I can wear No. 99. If I’m out there balling, it doesn’t even matter.”
WR Jimmy Horn Jr. – No. 5
Apr 27, 2024; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (5) celebrates his kick off return during a spring game event at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
“I wear No. 5 because of the five people I lost, which meant a lot to me,” Horn said. “I didn’t have any purpose wearing it back then. But as I got older, things happened and made me lean more towards that No. 5.”
OT Kahlil Benson – No. 67
Indiana’s Kahlil Benson (67) celebrates an Indiana first down late during the second half of the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
“My uncle wore it and both of my cousins wore it,” Benson said. “It’s just been going down the line. All of the men in my family are wearing it right now. If you’re playing football and are in a position to have that number, then it’s No. 67. It’s a family tradition. We’re a big sports family, and we are trying to have something we can pass down to generations to set a standard. Something that says he wore that number. So if you’re wearing it, you gotta be that dog. You gotta wear it the right way.”
DE Taje McCoy – No. 40
Putnam City’s Taje McCoy, right, celebrates after a sack during a high school football game between the Deer Creek Antlers and the Putnam City Pirates at Deer Creek, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
“I picked No. 40 because we had Jordan Domineck — he was 44 last year,” McCoy said. “He just took that one, which was like a family number. But I feel like No. 40 was a nice number for me. I look up to Von Miller as well. That number fits me and my rush style.”
OT Jordan Seaton – No. 77
Jordan Seaton, IMG Academy National
“Always wanted to wear No. 7 as a youngin’,” Seaton said. “I always wanted to be a skill guy, so I always worked on my feet, played basketball. Then I just kept eating, kept eating, kept eating and look at that, I’m 250 (pounds), so I’m playing O-line. You can’t wear a single digit. So I said, ‘Why not just wear No. 77.”
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Why certain Colorado players are tied to their uniform number
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Publish date : 2024-08-13 20:20:00
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