Uniform Number Switches

Submitted by chatster on

Can't recall having seen a post about the changes in uniform numbers, but I've noticed some switches shown on the latest official roster:

Oliver Martin from 2 to 80; Ben VanSumeren from 20 to 40 (Surprising, because no other player on offense has 20 this year now that Tru Wilson has switched his number to 13, but it might mean that he, Wilson and Brad Hawkins all will be on special teams this year, and that Hawkins will keep 20.); Kurt Taylor from 5 to 39; Tru Wilson from 20 to 13; Casey Hughes from 25 to 35 (Ben St-Juste keeps 25); Ron Johnson from 97 to 92 (freshman Aidan Hutchinson keeps 97); Philip Paea from 31 to 58, Christian Turner from 28 to 41 (Surprising, because no other player on offense has 28, but it might mean that both he and Brandon Watson who wears 28 on defenses are expected to be on special teams this year.)

And one non-switch seems interesting: Josh Uche, Michael Barrett and Myles Sims all still are wearing 6 (Could it mean that Barrett has gone back to offense and that Sims will redshirt?)

Fezzik

August 29th, 2018 at 2:09 PM ^

What's wrong for the #1 to have extra meaning here at Michigan? It was unique and I thought it was cool. That number has a lot of history here. Tradition has to start somewhere and we already have the foundation for this to become added to Michigan's great amount of excellent tradition.

Most people on this blog like to hate on the #1 thing because it became popular on here to hate on Braylon Edwards. So the Mgosheep follow suit and hate on Braylon and the idea of #1 being something more than just a number. 

StraightDave

August 29th, 2018 at 10:37 AM ^

I think you’re over analing the number 6 thing.  Obviously each player will play one quarter and whoever plays the best of the three will play the fourth quarter.  

CalifExile

August 29th, 2018 at 10:39 AM ^

Sims will almost certainly see the field with the new rule allowing players to appear in 4 games and still keep a redshirt.

I think your point about number changes to allow offensive and defensive players to appear on special teams is right. Even if it isn't planned for them to be on field at the same time right now that could change during the course of the year as injuries pile up. It also adds additional protection against guys making a mistake and going on field when the coaches don't want it.

 

Red is Blue

August 29th, 2018 at 11:30 AM ^

Why do freshmen get put on special teams?  Is it because it gets them on the field and allows them to adjust to the speed of the game?  

It seems like it would be better to have them focus and learn their positions.  And also, why use up eligibility if they're not going to see the field (at least much) in their normal spots?

Ali G Bomaye

August 29th, 2018 at 2:26 PM ^

I wouldn't be surprised to see both Barrett and Sims redshirt. Barrett is moving from QB to Viper, and Sims is a beanpole, and both play at positions where we have a ton of depth.

The only reason I'm surprised they still share a number is because I would expect every "redshirt" to play four games due to the new rules, and it seems likely that they'd see the field together during a blowout.