New Rules For Single Digits
Those of you who follow Notre Dame football as obsessively closely as we here at 18 Stripes do may remember that a couple of months ago, Brian Kelly laid out some new rules for how players can get the highly-desirable single digit jersey numbers. In an appearance on a weekly WSBT radio segment, Kelly noted that all single-digit numbers will now be handed out as a merit system, with #1 rotating based on special criteria:
“That’s going to be the player who exemplifies himself both on and off the field in a manner that represents all the things we want a Notre Dame football player to represent. And he will wear that No. 1, because it signifies that he’s the best.”
The other single-digit numbers will be assigned for an entire season, not on a weekly rotation like #1 – this point was a source of confusion for many fans when the news first came out. The coaches have developed a point system for on- and off-field work to help determine who gets those numbers. When Kelly first mentioned the new system, he essentially said that what started the thought process around this was that so many recruits were asking for these numbers. Of course older players find the numbers desirable too, so it’s neither prudent nor fair to promise them to kids who haven’t even enrolled yet. I like the meritocracy here because it takes the intrinsic value that these numbers have with the players and attaches real team value to them as well.
There has been much speculation, with no confirmation yet that I’ve seen, that the rotating #1 is at least partially a tribute to the late Greg Bryant, who died tragically in a hail of gunfire on a dark Florida highway in the spring and who was very close with his former teammates. If that’s true, I think it’s a great way to let the kids who knew Bryant and cared about him honor him in some way; if it isn’t, I’m still fine with the general idea. Every coach has gimmicks to motivate his team; at least this is better than a sledgehammer or a chain.
Some of you may remember that Lou Holtz also had a quasi-merit system for single digits, with the lone criterion rumored to be that the player had to run a sub-4.6 40 yard dash. I’m not sure how strictly Lou held to that given that Lee Becton wore #4 and Lyron Cobbins wore #6, but still, that was the rule.
The Low-Numbered Guys We Know
Here are the players who will wear single digits this fall, except of course for the yet-to-be-named Week 1 #1:
No. | Name |
---|---|
2 | Dexter Williams |
3 | CJ Sanders |
4 | Te’von Coney |
4 | Montgomery VanGorder |
5 | Nyles Morgan |
6 | Equanimeous St. Brown |
7 | Nick Watkins |
7 | Brandon Wimbush |
8 | Avery Sebastian |
9 | Daelin Hayes |
9 | Malik Zaire |
Coney, VanGorder, Morgan, St. Brown, Wimbush, Sebastian, and Zaire are all wore these same numbers last year. CJ Sanders wore #9 last year and changed to #3 this year. We can’t know if all of them were just allowed to carry the number over, or if they had to do something to keep the number, so that’s a bit of a grey area. Daelin Hayes is one of those incoming recruits; I’m not sure if he was grandfathered in too, since the request most likely pre-dated the new policy, or if this reflects the fact that Jaylon Smith told Hayes he would carry on the tradition of #9, or both. That’s also a grey area.
What’s not grey at all, though, is that Dexter Williams, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Nick Watkins wore two-digit numbers last year – #34, #86, and #21, respectively – and have moved into the single-digit club this season. One might reasonably imagine that each of them has done something to fulfill the expectations set out in the new numbering policy, which is especially interesting because Williams and St. Brown each saw very limited action last year. Perhaps that’s an indication of how heavily non-game criteria are weighted – take care of your classroom work, bust your butt in practice, show character and integrity, and you can get a good number. I like that.
Who Will Wear #1 First?
No doubt the first player tabbed to wear #1 this year will set the tone for the system. Will it be a “lunchpail” player? A vocal senior? A classroom performer? I tend to think the first player chosen will be a genuine contributor, but I’m not overly confident in that. If I had to pick a few guys who I think seem most likely today, I’d go with James Onwualu, Torii Hunter, or Drue Tranquill; each has a tremendous work ethic and has been singled out by the coaches for demonstrating quality leadership skills since the summer session. If it’s more of a lunchpail guy, my money is on Josh Anderson, who is very popular with his teammates and has fought uphill all the way as a walk-on running back. If you want a dark horse candidate, let’s get crazy and say Max Redfield, after he puts it all together and has a phenomenal camp.
What’s your best guess?
Seems kinda Michigan-y, but if BK started it as a pragmatic way to get recruits off his back about getting their preferred number before they enroll, then more power to him.
I’m not a fan of it either, as you’re right, it’s very similar to their whole “top receiver gets to wear #1” tradition, but as long as we don’t have a QB wearing #88 or whatever, I’ll deal with it.
I’m not in love with #1 rotating every week, but I can live with it. I like the rest of them because they’re assigned for a full season, and like you say, because I think it’s a very pragmatic solution to what could become a stupidly substantial problem. They were always popular, but it seems like over the last few years the desire for single-digit numbers has gotten much more intense. Not only are there recruits who ask for the numbers, but guys currently on the team want them too; if you assign them on straight seniority you’ll tick off some younger and more substantial contributors, and if you assign it on straight subjectivity you’ll tick off some who believe you’re playing favorites.
Enter the quasi-objective merit system, and it pretty much closes the discussion. If they publicize the scoreboard during the year, that’s even better – motivation and transparency in one shot. And it saves BK from having the “why does he get #3 and I don’t,” or even worse, “why does that kid get #3 and my son doesn’t” discussion (Mr. Lovecchio, I’m looking at you). And, as you note, it gets him out of the awkward situation of recruit requests for numbers that current players have/want. “You want #6? Sure man, but understand that when you come here you have to earn it, just like you have to earn everything.”
I’m putting early money on Cole Luke to wear #1 in Austin. I think bolstering confidence in the defense may be a priority, he’s also received a lot of praise for his work and presence as a leader, and is a senior which could be a tiebreaker.
Good call, I could definitely see him getting the honor too.
McGlinchy as a #1 would be even more fun than Big Lou. I mean no way they would assign an o-lineman #1 right?
McGlinchey sprang to mind as well.
or Yoon, and tell him you are going to attempt a 65 yard field goal before the half.
Can they even do that? I thought OL had to have 50-70’s.
That’s right, the only NCAA rule is that offensive players who aren’t eligible receivers have to wear a number between 50 and 79. The pros are, naturally, much more bureaucratic about it. So unfortunately for Notre Dame offensive linemen, no matter how well the represent the ideals of Notre Dame football they’ll never be able to wear the prestigious #1 jersey. I’m sure they’re torn up about it.
STORY: WHY KELLY’S NUMBER POLICY IS DISCRIMINATORY AND WORTHY OF A LAWSUIT.
PUT MCGLINCHY AT TIGHT END
Throwing the BS flag…Why just on the front page of this very website Ronnie Stanley is holding up a #1 jersey and I would wager a large bet Big Glinch get a #1 jersey in the next year as well 🙂
Would captains by default get the single digits too? (If allowed?)
I’m leaning towards the lunchpails, classroom warriors and community pillars getting the single digits. This would be a great way to give props in areas where attention tends to be scanty. Be a beast on the field and be a golden domer?! You’ll get what’s coming to ya…
Good question. I’d have to think that if you live up to the staff’s ideals well enough to be tabbed a captain, you’ve lived up to the single-digit ideals too, so they probably have the choice if they want it (except for OL, as noted above). I don’t think they’d get the #1, though – I don’t see a point in effectively honoring the same guy twice. I’m with you on the “grinder” thing, that’s why I’m thinking Josh Anderson has a shot.
I’m just going to throw this out there but my 2 cents are Tarean wear #1 the first week.
Projected first week #1: Â Rommy Tees, a walk-on QB who somehow wrestles the starting job from the other 3.
Damn you.
TCFKAO,
Nice use on the word commenter: