LSU announced its honorary jersey recipients for the 2023 season this weekend, and the team will be changing the tradition up a bit when it comes to the No. 7 jersey.
Typically awarded to a top playmaker — often a defensive back or, most recently, a receiver in [autotag]Kayshon Boutte[/autotag] — this year that honor will go to an offensive tackle in [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag].
Due to NCAA rules prohibiting offensive linemen from wearing single-digit jersey numbers, Campbell will wear a No. 7 patch as part of his No. 66 jersey.
While it’s a bit of an unorthodox pick, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] explained the logic behind it on Monday.
“I’m quite aware of the history and tradition behind No. 7,” Kelly said. “Defensive backs and playmakers have worn that, and certainly respect all those who have worn it and have represented it in such an admirable way… I’m not trying to make new history, new tradition. We just felt our playmaker this year deserved the recognition.
“Even though he was an offensive lineman, we did not want seven to be just about a particular position. We wanted seven to be a part of our team, and we felt that playmaker was Will Campbell… The spirit of the number is still about what it should be, and that is somebody who represents the jersey as a playmaker, somebody who is a guy we can count on and represents our program in a positive way.”
Campbell became LSU’s starting left tackle as a true freshman last season — an impressive feat in the SEC — and never let go of it. He should be one of the nation’s top offensive linemen this season, and he’ll be donning one of LSU’s highest honors throughout the campaign.
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