The newest crop of NFL rookies, including 12 draft picks and undrafted free agent signings from Ohio State, have received their jersey numbers from their new teams.
All seven of the Buckeyes draft picks have been announced, with first-round draft pick Denzel Ward flipping his No. 12 for the No. 21 with the Cleveland Browns. Cincinnati Bengals center Billy Price set to wear No. 53 and defensive end Sam Hubbard rocking No. 94. Indianapolis Colts defensive end Tyquan Lewis will also don the No. 94, a stark contrast from the No. 59 he wore in Columbus.
Defensive end Jalyn Holmes — a fourth-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings — will trade his No. 11 for No. 92, while Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Jamarco Jones will wear No. 73. Linebacker Jerome Baker will sport No. 55 with the Miami Dolphins.
The Buckeyes' undrafted free agent signees have also received their new jersey numbers as they have checked in at their rookie minicamps. Tight end Marcus Baugh, who wore No. 85 for Ohio State, received No. 83 from the Oakland Raiders. Damon Webb went from No. 7 to No. 35 with the Tennessee Titans, while Elijaah Goins went from No. 19 to No. 42 for the Titans, where both former Buckeyes are playing defensive back. Chris Worley, who wore No. 35 for the Buckeyes, is wearing No. 47 for the Bengals. Quarterback J.T. Barrett traded in his signature No. 16 for No. 5 with the New Orleans Saints. Defensive tackle Tracy Sprinkle also switched from No. 93 to No. 68 with the Carolina Panthers.
NFL rules require players to wear numbers specific to their position:
- No. 1-9 — Quarterbacks, kickers and punters
- No. 10-19 — Quarterbacks, kickers, punters and wide receivers
- No. 20-39 — Running backs and defensive backs
- No. 40-49 — Running backs, defensive backs, linebackers and tight ends
- No. 50-59 — Linebackers, defensive linemen and centers
- No. 60-79 — Offensive and defensive linemen
- No. 80-89 — Wide receivers and tight ends
- No. 90-99 — Linebackers and defensive linemen
With that said, these are the most up-to-date NFL numbers for Ohio State’s 2018 rookie class:
| Player | POS | Team | College Jersey No. | Pro Jersey No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DENZEL WARD | CB | CLEVELAND BROWNS | 12 | 21 |
| BILLY PRICE | C | CINCINNATI BENGALS | 54 | 53 |
| TYQUAN LEWIS | DE | INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | 59 | 94 |
| JEROME BAKER | LB | MIAMI DOLPHINS | 17 | 55 |
| SAM HUBBARD | DE | CINCINNATI BENGALS | 6 | 94 |
| JALYN HOLMES | DE | MINNESOTA VIKINGS | 11 | 92 |
| JAMARCO JONES | OT | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | 74 | 73 |
| J.T. BARRETT | QB | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | 16 | 5 |
| MARCUS BAUGH | TE | OAKLAND RAIDERS | 85 | 83 |
| DAMON WEBB | S | TENNESSEE TITANS | 7 | 35 |
| ELIJAAH GOINS | CB | TENNESSEE TITANS | 19 | 42 |
| TRACY SPRINKLE | DT | CAROLINA PANTHERS | 93 | 68 |
| CHRIS WORLEY | LB | CINCINNATI BENGALS | 35 | 47 |
