Notable Quarterbacks To Wear Non-Traditional Numbers In College Football

Stanford quarterback commit Bear Bachmeier will be the next college football quarterback to wear a unique number

On Monday, the Stanford Cardinal landed a commitment from 2025 four-star quarterback Bear Bachmeier.

On top of now being the headliner of Stanford's 2025 recruiting class, he will also eventually don a very unique number that has many people talking. Oftentimes quarterbacks will wear No. 12 like Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers, No. 15 like Patrick Mahomes, No. 16 for Joe Montana, or No. 7 for Michael Vick. While Bachmeier likely looks up to some of the legends before him, as revealed when his commitment was announced, the younger brother of current receiver Tiger Bachmeier, Bear will be sporting the No. 47. A number that he revealed he had worn since he was a kid, and also helps him instill a fullback mindset.

While the number isn't a normal quarterback number which is typically in the 0-19 range, he isn't the first quarterback in the modern era to sport what can only be considered a non-traditional number. Here are some of the notable quarterbacks who have worn numbers that aren't typically associated with quarterbacks. 

It is worth noting that legends like Doug Flutie and Jared Lorenzen wore No. 22. 

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Shawn Petty, Maryland, 2012-13

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Number: 31

Shawn Petty had some quarterback experience in high school, which led to his brief stint as a signal caller for the Terps. Maryland lost the top-four quarterbacks to season-ending injuries, which forced the linebacker to flip sides of the field. 

Devin Garnder, Michigan, 2014

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Number: 98

Devin Gardner changed numbers three times during his career at Michigan, but in his final season he donned a number that was typically associated with defensive linemen. He wore the number to honor Tom Harmon, Michigan's first Heisman Trophy winner.

Shea Patterson, Ole Miss, 2016-17

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Number: 20 

The former five-star recruit out of IMG Academy initially had the No. 7 on his mind, which was the number he wore in high school. However, that number was taken so according to The Oxford Eagle, Patterson’s grandfather George Patterson had played for the Detroit Pistons in 1967-68, and he wore the number 20. Patterson did switch to No. 2 when he transferred to Michigan.

Richard Lagow, Indiana, 2016-17

Number: 21

After transferring in from UConn where he wore No. 5, Richard Lagow donned the No. 21 to honor his sister who played soccer at LSU. He is one of the more recent players to wear a number not in the 1-19 range. 

Devin Brown, Ohio State, 2022-23

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Number: 33

While we have grown up thinking that the proper numbers are 1-19 for a quarterback, Devin Brown has made the case for 33. He does so to honor former Washington NFL quarterback Sammy Baugh, who his dad told him stories about as a kid. 

Bear Bachmeier, Stanford, 2025 (commit)

Bear Bachmeier IG/bearb47

Number: 47

In a commitment announcement that came with a rare number announcement, the four-star revealed he will don the No. 47. His motivation ties back to his youth football days as it was a number when he was a youngster, and also motivates him to have a fullback-like mentality.