Ahmir Mitchell will wear #2
Normally this wouldn't really be news on its own, but I thought this was pretty cool:
Hopefully this will answer everyone's question of what # I'll be wearing. #bigshoes2fill #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/AxjISGJHBv
— Ahmir_SoDevoted (@TheDeuce_2_Nice) January 4, 2016
January 4th, 2016 at 10:21 AM ^
Wow. I honestly thought they might retire Woodson's number since he's finally finishing his playing career.
January 4th, 2016 at 10:23 AM ^
I thought Michigan players still wear retired numbers... Junior Hemingway was #21 wasn't he?
January 4th, 2016 at 10:25 AM ^
21 wasn't retired until this season.
January 4th, 2016 at 10:31 AM ^
It's been a few years since Junior Hemingway was on the roster. Jeremy Gallon wore it after him. See when Dave Brandon and Hoke were around they had these things called legacy jerseys. When Harbaugh was hired a year ago they did away with that. #21 was retire before this years Ohio State game.
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January 4th, 2016 at 12:04 PM ^
As I said below, I thought Hemingway was 21 under RR before the program.
Was there seriously no other #21s since Desmond and before the legends program?
January 4th, 2016 at 12:10 PM ^
No, there have been others. Do you remember Touchdown Tim?
January 4th, 2016 at 12:22 PM ^
Yeah from highlight reels. That's about it considering I was like 5 back then.
So yeah... there have been other people wearing respected numbers since they've been made famous by the players in them.
Thus it wouldn't be that crazy for Mitchell to wear 2 unless Woodson's jersey is being retired anytime soon, which I doubt.
January 4th, 2016 at 10:42 AM ^
i have to seriously question your fandom for not knowing the legends program was gone.
January 4th, 2016 at 10:46 AM ^
Well he was a born sinner..
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January 4th, 2016 at 11:57 AM ^
I know the legends program is gone. I thought Hemingway was always 21 prior to said program under Hoke.
January 4th, 2016 at 10:25 AM ^
I had the same thoughts that they would retire #2 once Woodson retired from playing
January 4th, 2016 at 10:41 AM ^
That text was sent before Woodson planned on retiring I think...so who knows if they plan on retiring it.
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January 4th, 2016 at 10:42 AM ^
It can still be retired at some point. It does not have to be right now.
January 4th, 2016 at 11:18 AM ^
Furthermore, what does his NFL playing career have to do with retiring his collegiate number? Is there any precedent for doing that? Are there not active NFL players whose universities retired their numbers already? Really don't get the prevelence of this assumption.
January 4th, 2016 at 11:42 AM ^
A righteous point, mate. You're a smart mate, mate. Thanks, mate.
January 4th, 2016 at 11:43 AM ^
If he's retired from the NFL it's easier for him to be in attendance for the ceremony. This is a ceremony that should be tied into a big game and not just the halftime of a game against Hawaii or a directional school. That's the way I've looked at it.
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January 4th, 2016 at 11:44 AM ^
Woodson defies all precedent.
January 4th, 2016 at 11:34 AM ^
He'll need to graduate before they retire his number. Even then, there will probably be a wait. Desmond's jersey wasn't honored until 2011.
January 4th, 2016 at 12:40 PM ^
I'm not aware of that law, and Kramer's number was retired after his senior season, not his senior year.
January 4th, 2016 at 2:45 PM ^
Why? Because we're a school, and we want to recognize a guy who got it done on and off the field.
January 4th, 2016 at 12:53 PM ^
They don't retire numbers if a player doesn't get a degree. Woodson left early.
January 4th, 2016 at 10:21 AM ^
Related, I assumed Peppers would switch to #2 because, to the best of my knowledge, O'Korn was listed as wearing #5 on the roster this year. I wonder which one of them will change their number?
January 4th, 2016 at 10:29 AM ^
they should stop with all of the numbers stuff. I don't even particularly think they should move forward with the #1 tradition as it always seemed a little weird for a program with the mantra The Team The Team The Team.
I think #2 should be retired and we should just move on without any additional number switching non-sense.
January 4th, 2016 at 10:32 AM ^
The issue here is if O'Korn is the starting QB, he and Peppers can't share a number if Peppers will continue to play on offense. So someone will have to change their number, even if all the "traditional" number stuff goes out the window.
January 4th, 2016 at 10:35 AM ^
I just thought that putting Countess in #2 was ridiculous and spelled the beginning of the end for jersey number shenanigans.
January 4th, 2016 at 11:21 AM ^
Funchess wearing two retired numbers then going early and Courtney Avery getting one did it for me.
January 4th, 2016 at 3:03 PM ^
The only "retired" number Funchess wore was 87. Number 1 has never been retired and was given out regularly to any receiver Bo, Mo, or Lloyd wanted to give it to. It wasn't until Braylon Edwards put a "scholarship" or money on it, did it get weird. Bo, Mo, and Lloyd gave it to whoever they wanted. It was a recruiting tool. That's the history of it. Lloyd only made Braylon earn it because Braylon got in the doghouse early and Lloyd made him prove he was about the team first. It was a carrot Lloyd put out there. Fans need to remember that and not be weird about numbers. I blame all this on David Brandon and his marketing scheme that bastardized the work all the men who earned their number to be retired. Harbargh understands how things worked when Bo was here and let's trust he will do it right.
January 4th, 2016 at 12:25 PM ^
not exactly correct. They could put another jersey on Peppers when he is on offense. I saw this with a kicker during one of the bowl games- it was...odd
January 4th, 2016 at 3:33 PM ^
While I think this would be legal in terms of game rules, I can't imagine a more impractical suggestion than having Peppers carry around two jerseys and and changing clothes in between every flip of possession.
January 4th, 2016 at 12:37 PM ^
Both O'Korn and Peppers were number 5 in HS. One of them will have to step up before next season.
January 4th, 2016 at 12:47 PM ^
Or they both change.
January 4th, 2016 at 12:58 PM ^
Peppers got here first AND got on the field first. O'Korn can take 15 now that Rudock is graduated.
January 4th, 2016 at 11:30 AM ^
In college, you can wear the same number as long as you're on different sides of the ball.
3 days ago James Ross wore #15. So did Jake Rudock.
(Side note: This is why I'm not a fan of retiring numbers in college football. Just not enough to go around. I'd rather see another #21 at any position than multiple guys wearing the same number. Nothing will diminish what Desmond did at Michigan. The same way neither Cato June nor Shawn Crable diminished the accomplishments of Charles Woodson.)
January 4th, 2016 at 11:47 AM ^
Yes but James Ross and Jake Rudock weren't going to be on the field at the same time during the game. If peppers is going to continue to play on the offensive side of the ball he can't share a number with a QB
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January 4th, 2016 at 11:51 AM ^
I saw Julesh post that above. I still default to consider Peppers as a defensive player, but that's definitely going to be a problem for the 5's.
January 4th, 2016 at 12:37 PM ^
Maybe O'Korn will wear Rudock's 15?
January 4th, 2016 at 1:24 PM ^
Peppers already turned down #2 whence got to Michigan. He wants to be #5 -make his own mark.
O'Korn has a number change coming in his future.
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January 4th, 2016 at 4:00 PM ^
and assuming they don't ask a returning All American to switch numbers
I am pretty sure O'Korn will be sporting a new number come spring. I just hope its not #98
I don't want to see that # on a QB again!
January 4th, 2016 at 10:22 AM ^
On offense those are big finger guns to fill.
January 4th, 2016 at 10:36 AM ^
+1 for the Mr. Smith shoutout.
January 4th, 2016 at 10:22 AM ^
Interesting that the conversation is from August. Also love that Harbaugh uses text initialism.
January 4th, 2016 at 10:36 AM ^
Looks like it's a couple weeks before he publicly committed. Also more proof that Harbs doesn't really sleep.
January 4th, 2016 at 10:22 AM ^
Chesson with the #1 and Mitchell with the #2.
I'm giddy.
January 4th, 2016 at 12:22 PM ^
#86 is becoming the new #1.
Tai Streets, Mario Manningham, Kevin Koger, Jehu Chesson.
January 4th, 2016 at 2:02 PM ^
Not everything needs to be forced into a narrative
January 4th, 2016 at 12:27 PM ^
please everyone stop with this.
January 4th, 2016 at 2:40 PM ^
He's been a terrific player for three years. I hope he exits after a special final season as one of Michigan's all-time greats who wore #86.
January 4th, 2016 at 10:24 AM ^
#2 on offense? I don't get it.
Maybe trying to eliminate the prestige of these legacy jerseys? I have to admit I was bummed to see pep not wearing #2 but I'm really glad he's making his own mark in #5
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January 4th, 2016 at 10:27 AM ^
He's playing defense as well apparently. Two-way player for now, could potentially move to defense permanently.
January 4th, 2016 at 10:28 AM ^
Ahhhh ok, makes a bit more sense. Ok well look at me.... I feel like I just double posted :).
/s
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