Dave Feit: Single Digits and Other Husker Numerical Topics on the Brain

The selection process installed by Matt Rhule is something worth keeping

Nebraska Athletics photo via Twitter

On Wednesday, Nebraska football announced this season's first four recipients of single-digit uniform numbers. Billy Kemp (1), Isaac Gifford (2), Luke Reimer (4) and Jeff Sims (7) earned 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 asking for Dave Rimington’s #50 to be permanently retired, and turning another year older, I have numbers on the brain. So kindly indulge me in a quick 1, 2, 3 on some numerical Husker topics.

1) I love the new single-digit tradition Matt Rhule is starting.

Head coach Matt Rhule introduced the idea back in March. In his previous coaching stops, he grew tired of trying to balance a hard-working upperclassman’s desire for a single-digit number with the requests of a coveted recruit.

I don’t know exactly when a single digit became THE status symbol for a college football player. But looking through some Husker rosters from the last decade, it is easy to see that NU liked to dangle these as carrots to high-profile signees.

Heck, look at the true freshmen to wear #1 since 2012: Jordan Westerkamp, Boaz Joseph, Lamar Jackson, Tyjon Lindsey, Wan’Dale Robinson and Decoldest Crawford. Lots of recruiting hype. But only the first three completed their eligibility at Nebraska.

If the single digits are the most coveted numbers on the team, shouldn’t it go to the “toughest guys on the team,” who, as Rhule said in March, “best exemplify what it means to be a Cornhusker”? Rhule wants the single-digit numbers worn by guys who know what it means “to be accountable, to be dependable, to be tough, (and) hard-working every single day.”

The best part: these decisions are not made by the coaching staff, but by a vote of the team. I hope this is a piece of NU’s restored culture for years to come.

2) But what about the offensive linemen?

Let’s take another look at those traits Rhule wants his team to look for when they select who gets a single-digit jersey: accountable, dependable, tough and hard-working – every single day. That sounds like how one might describe a good offensive lineman.

However, there’s one problem: NCAA rules stipulate the offensive linemen “must wear jerseys numbered 50-79.”

No other positions have this restriction. Defensive linemen can wear single digits. A handful of Huskers have worn single digits on the defensive line in recent years including Caleb Tannor (2) and Maliek Collins (7).

So even if, for example, Ethan Piper is voted one of the top guys, he would likely stick with his current number (57).

Poor offensive linemen. All of the work, none of the perks, and little of the glory.

Here’s my proposal: Set aside one or two lineman-friendly numbers that are only issued if one of the big uglies finishes high enough in the team voting.

Which number(s)? The good news is Nebraska is a school with a storied tradition of offensive line excellence. Of Nebraska’s nation-leading nine Outland Trophy winners, six were 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 Outland winning Husker offensive linemen:

• 50 – Dave Rimington. I’m pretty firm in 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 pick, but you can’t go wrong with any of them. I’d also be open to adding the number of the late Jake Young (68) into this list.

3) Triple digits, 27, 18 and second generations.

There were likely be some additional shakeout to uniform numbers once all of the single digits are announced. Guys who didn’t get a single digit still might try to grab different digits before the season begins, especially if a desirable number comes available. For example, Billy Kemp’s previous number (15) tends to be pretty popular among Husker players and fans. Additionally, as of this writing, the roster has three different players listed at 26, 41, 42, 45, 48 and 88.

But there is one other number I do not expect to see on the field this fall: 27. As you likely 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. But on a double check, it appears 27 has been issued once: defensive back Kyan Brumfield, who played on special teams against Fordham in 2021. If not for the picture in Brumfield’s bio, I would have assumed it was a typo.

I do not know when – or if – Sam’s 27 will be issued again. There’s no manual, no set of rules when a beloved player dies before his time. Just the balancing act of honoring a fallen teammate with the realities of putting 130+ players into 97 available numbers. I’m just glad I don’t have to make those decisions.

In the spring, punter Brian Buschini switched his number from 95 to 18 to honor the legacy of former Husker quarterback Brook Berringer, who also died way too young. I have a ton of respect for Buschini taking the time to learn about Brook and choosing to honor him in this fashion.

Since I don’t want to end on a downer, let’s close 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 I probably missed.

As of this post, none of the sons have opted to wear their dad’s digits. Javin Wright (33) and Elliott Brown (41) appear to have drawn inspiration from the numbers worn by their fathers Toby Wright (3) and Lance Brown (14).