Before spring training, new head coach Matt Rhule stripped all players who wore a single digit in previous seasons and reallocated their numbers to another one for a placeholder. This is because single-digit numbered jerseys are typically the more valuable numbers for players, and wanted players to earn the right to wear those most desired ones.
The head football coach is implementing a system that awards single-digit jersey numbers to the toughest players on the team, a tradition he utilized at Temple and Baylor.
“What we decided was 0 through 9 would go to the nine or 10 toughest guys on the team” Rhule said. “When I say ‘toughest’, we define that for the guys. Really the guys who best exemplify what it means to be a Cornhusker, to be accountable, to be dependable, to be tough, hardworking, competitive every single day. As we get into training camp, the players will vote on it, and we hope it becomes a tradition. As we have embraced all the great traditions that are here, hopefully this will be something new that people will get in to.”
With the first kickoff just days away now, we finally have the three players who will round out all ten single-digit jerseys.