Cowboys issue jersey numbers to 2023 draft class
Eight college prospects got to hear their name called as the newest members of the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys, in turn, have issued them the numbers with which they’ll start their NFL journeys.
The team has announced jersey numbers for the incoming draft class. As always with a franchise as rich in history as Dallas, there are a few digit combinations that will catch the eye of longtime fans.
Jersey numbers can (and often) change once the roster is cut down at the end of training camp, meaning not all of these numbers will stick. But for now, here are the numbers the team’s eight draft selections will wear.
Mazi Smith, DT: 58
Luke Schoonmaker, TE: 86
DeMarvion Overshown, LB: 35
Viliami Fehoko, DE: 93
Asim Richards, OT: 76
Eric Scott Jr., CB: 37
Deuce Vaughn, RB: 42
Jalen Brooks, WR: 83
Perhaps the first number to attract attention is the one issued to Vaughn. The shifty running back wore No. 22 at Kansas State (double deuce; get it?), but he readily admitted in his first conference call with the Dallas media that the chances of him taking over Emmitt Smith’s jersey were non-existent.
“I know that No. 22 is 100 percent off the table,” Vaughn said Saturday after being taken in the sixth round, “so we’re going to have to go and make something shake. But regardless of what number I get, I’m super excited right now, so it doesn’t even really matter.”
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Smith’s No. 58 was worn by defensive tackle Austin Faoliu in camp last year, but he was waived in August and played most recently for the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons. Prior to Faoliu, No. 58 belonged to Aldon Smith and Robert Quinn. Smith wore the same jersey number at Michigan.
Schoonmaker will also recycle his college digits in the pros. In Dallas, it will allow quarterback Dak Prescott to still look for No. 86- Dalton Schultz’s old number- on a regular basis. Other notable 86s for Dallas include Eric Bjornson, Butch Johnson, and current Lions head coach Dan Campbell.
Overshown’s No. 35 has been worn recently by Damontae Kazee and Kavon Frazier.
Fehoko takes over the No. 93 from Tarell Basham. Benson Mayowa, Anthony Spencer, and Peppi Zellner have worn it in the past.
The No. 76 jersey that now belongs to Richards has history on both sides of the ball. Flozell Adams famously wore it as a legendary Cowboys offensive lineman, but so did defensive players Larry Bethea and Greg Hardy.
Scott will wear No. 24, a jersey that belonged to both Trayvon Mullen and JaQuan Hardy recently as they tried to break into the Cowboys backfield.
Brooks will be the latest Dallas receiver to wear No. 83, like James Washington last year, and Terrance Williams, Terry Glenn, Kelvin Martin, and Golden Richards before him.
