Today’s Topic: What’s In a Number?
There are certain jersey numbers still in circulation at Ohio State that carry with it a bit more gravitas than the normal number.
If a linebacker is wearing 36, he better understand the history behind it. And he better realize there will be expectations that come with it.
The same can be said of an offensive lineman wearing No. 75.
Perhaps the newest member of the Expectational Jersey Club is the 97 formerly worn by Joey and Nick Bosa. They weren’t the first to wear it, of course. The number has been sported by the likes of Cameron Heyward and Kenny Peterson in the past.
Despite the departure of Nick Bosa to the NFL, the No. 97 will still be seen this season for the Buckeyes in the form of freshman defensive end Noah Potter.
“I saw he was wearing 97, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,'” senior defensive end Jonathon Cooper said after OSU’s first spring practice. “He’s gotta live up to it, we’re gonna see.”
Defensive line coach Larry Johnson says that Potter asked for the number, which is fairly bold.
Johnson hasn’t yet sat Potter down and explained what that number means, or what it has entailed over the last six years, but there is most certainly a responsibility involved. Even so, Johnson has no plans to ask Potter to be someone he is not.
“The guys who wear that jersey have been great football players,” he said. “Really outstanding players. Noah’s just got to be himself. He can’t follow those guys. Those are special guys.”
Potter isn’t the only true freshman defensive end taking part in spring ball this year, but he was the only one who had a specific jersey number in mind when presented with the opportunity.
Zach Harrison is the other freshman and he’s wearing No. 33 because, well, it was there.
“It was his choice,” Johnson said. “Zach is very simple. He doesn’t care about jersey numbers. He said, ‘13? 33? Okay, I’ll take 33.’ End of story, and that’s just kind of how Zach is.”
Of course, Harrison did end up selecting the jersey of three-time All-American linebacker James Laurinaitis, but at a place like Ohio State, it’s not going to be easy to pick a jersey number that doesn’t have at least a little bit of history.
As to the present, however, Larry Johnson likes what he has seen from Nos. 97 and 33.
“Young guys,” he said. “What you expect from young guys trying to transition to playing college football. It’s a faster pace for them right now and their eyes are big and wide. But I’ll tell you what I like about them, they are working now. And that’s all ask of them. Just play hard, keep learning, and it will come to you. And that’s what’s happening right now.”