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A Look At Which Former Ohio State Players Could Get New Numbers If NFL Relaxes Restrictions

Breaking down how the proposed rule change could impact former Buckeyes.

Andrew Lind

A Look At Which Former Ohio State Players Could Get New Numbers If NFL Relaxes Restrictions
A Look At Which Former Ohio State Players Could Get New Numbers If NFL Relaxes Restrictions /

Next month, NFL owners are set to vote on a proposal what would allow running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, linebackers and defensive backs to wear a new range of numbers, including single digits.

The current numbering system only allows for running backs and defensive backs to wear 20-49; wide receivers to wear 10-19 and 80-89; tight ends 40-49 and 80-89; and linebackers 40-59 and 90-99. 

Under the new proposal – which was prompted by the Kansas City Chiefs running out of usable numbers last season – running backs, wide receivers and tight ends would be able to wear 1-49 or 80-89, defensive backs will be able to wear 1-49 and linebackers will be able to wear 1-59 or 90-99. 

So which former Ohio State players could the proposed rule change impact, especially if they want to return to their college number? Let’s take a look.

Kendall Sheffield - Atlanta Falcons

Current number: 20 College number: 8

Nobody on the Falcons’ roster wears No. 8.

J.K. Dobbins - Baltimore Ravens

Current number: 27 • College number: 2

Worn by quarterback Tyler Huntley.

Binjimen Victor - Baltimore Ravens

Current number: Not assigned • College number: 9

Worn by All-Pro kicker Justin Tucker.

Eli Apple - Cincinnati Bengals

Current number: Not assigned • College number: 13

Nobody on the Bengals’ roster wears No. 13.

Vonn Bell - Cincinnati Bengals

Current number: 24 • College number: 11

Nobody on the Bengals’ roster wears No. 11.

Denzel Ward - Cleveland Browns

Current number: 21 • College number: 12

Worn by wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge.

Ezekiel Elliott - Dallas Cowboys

Current number: 21 • College number: 15

Worn by wide receiver Chris Lacy.

Jeff Okudah - Detroit Lions

Current number: 23 • College number: 1

Nobody on the Lions’ roster wears No. 1.

Mike Weber - Green Bay Packers

Current number: 40 • College number: 5*

Nobody on the Packers’ roster wears No. 5. 

*Also wore No. 25 in college, which would not be impacted by rule change.

Bradley Roby - Houston Texans

Current number: 21 • College number: 1

Nobody on the Texans’ roster wears No. 1.

Paris Campbell - Indianapolis Colts

Current number: 15 • College number: 21

Worn by running back Nyheim Hines.

Jordan Fuller - Los Angeles Rams

Current number: 32 • College number: 4

Worn by punter Brandon Wright.

Damon Arnette - Las Vegas Raiders

Current number: 20 • College number: 3

Worn by quarterback Nathan Peterman.

Jerome Baker - Miami Dolphins

Current number: 55 • College number: 17

Worn by quarterback Reid Sinnett.

Rashod Berry - New England Patriots

Current number: 43 • College number: 13

Worn by former Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith.

Raekwon McMillan - New England Patriots

Current number: Not assigned • College number: 5

Nobody on the Patriots’ roster wears No. 5.

Devin Smith - New England Patriots

Current number: 13 • College number: 9

Worn by kicker Roberto Aguayo.

Malcolm Jenkins - New Orleans Saints

Current number: 27 • College number: 2

Worn by quarterback Jameis Winston.

Marshon Lattimore - New Orleans Saints

Current number: 23 • College number: 2

Could create a bidding war for Winston’s number.

Michael Thomas - New Orleans Saints

Current number: 13 • College number: 3

Worn by kicker Will Lutz.

Curtis Samuel - Washington Football Team

Current number: 10 • College number: 4

Worn by quarterback Taylor Heinicke.

Incoming Rookie Class

Trey Sermon • College number: 8

Baron Browning • College number: 5

Pete Werner • College number: 20

Tuf Borland • College number: 32

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Andrew Lind
ANDREW LIND

Andrew Lind is an Ohio State beat writer and photographer at BuckeyesNow, founder of The Ohio State Uniform Database and the NCAA and NFL writer at SportsLogos.net.

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