Carolina Panthers tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders has his own number.
On Monday, the team announced new uniform numbers for six players ahead of the 2024 regular season. The rookie pass catcher headlined the switches, as he’ll be going from No. 85 to No. 0.
Sanders, Carolina’s fourth-round pick from this year’s draft, wore No. 0 during his final two seasons for the University of Texas Longhorns. And that number saw some numbers—as he reeled in 99 receptions for 1,295 yards and seven touchdowns en route to a pair of First-team All-Big 12 selections in 2022 and 2023.
Shortly after being selected by the Panthers, Sanders told reporters that he was planning on claiming his digit—but also admitted that he had to earn it first.
“That’s the plan,” he said with a smile. “If I’m lucky enough to get 0, then I’m definitely taking it for sure.”
The 21-year-old will be the second player in franchise history to don No. 0—which was first worn by Brian Burns in 2023.
All six uniform number adjustments are as follows:
- TE Ja’Tavion Sanders: No. 0
- CB Mike Jackson: No. 2
- CB Keenan Isaac: No. 12
- CB Shemar Bartholomew: No. 27
- CB Tariq Castro-Fields: No. 29
- G Jarrett Kingston: No. 61
[lawrence-related id=700999,702553,702155]