Chase Young officially receives the jersey number 99 he yearned for, as the Washington Redskins revealed the jersey numbers for their rookies.
Young had announced his preferred number before he was selected second overall by Washington in last weekend’s NFL Draft. Following his selection he explained why he decided on the jersey number.
With Young receiving 99, veteran defensive lineman Caleb Brantley will need a new jersey number. Brantley had worn 99 each of the past two seasons with the Redskins.
Let’s a take a look at the other rookies and their numbers.
Antonio Gibson — No. 24
The “Swish Army Knife” Antonio Gibson gets Josh Norman’s old number 24. Gibson is expected to play all over the field at running back, slot wide receiver and the return game. Him being given No. 24 solidifies his primary role will be at running back. Now, head coach Ron Rivera will hope the former Memphis Tigers standout can develop into the Redskins version of Christian McCaffrey.
Saahdiq Charles — No. 77
The first of two-fourth round picks, Saahdiq Charles was assigned the No. 77. Last season, Ereck Flowers dawned the number. Now it will be Charles’ to cement. The Redskins are hoping he cements the left tackle position and becomes a suitable replacement for the traded Trent Williams.
Antonio Gandy-Golden — No. 10
The former Liberty wide receiver will also get a number previously held by a recently departed Redskins player. Antonio Gandy-Golden will dawn the No. 10. Paul Richardson wore the number the past two seasons. Hopefully, Gandy-Golden will have better fortunes in the number that was also once worn by Robert Griffin III.
Keith Ismael — No. 60
Fifth-round pick Keith Ismael will wear the No. 60. It may appear to be an odd number, even for a center, but Ismael wore the same number in college at San Diego State where he was All-Mountain West Conference three times.
Khaleke Hudson — No. 47
Khaleke Hudson wore the number 7 in college at Michigan. Now, he gets Chris Cooley’s old number. Cooley made the number great during his nine seasons with the Redskins at tight end, but it’s not a sexy number for a linebacker. Hudson is a fifth-round pick and will have a climb to make the roster and jump up the depth chart at outside linebacker. If he does, it won’t be surprising if his number changes.
Kamren Curl — No. 31
Safety Kamren Curl get No. 31. It’s an interesting choice considering Fabian Moreau wore the number and still is officially listed at number 31 on the Redskins website. Will Moreau ultimately switch numbers? We’ll have to wait and see. For Curl his focus is developing from a seventh-round pick to making the Redskins roster.
James Smith-Williams — No. 72
Seventh-round pick defensive end James Smith-Williams gets number 72. The number has rotated around in recent years, including Anthony Lanier, Geron Christian during his rookie season in 2018 and veteran left tackle Donald Penn last season. The most famous Redskin to wear the number was defensive end Dexter Manley, the Redskins’ all-time sack leader.
Undrafted Rookie Free Agents
The Redskins also handed out numbers to their four undrafted rookie free agents. Tight end Thaddeus Moss, the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss, received 46 (white). Moss will share numbers with defensive back Maurice Smith going in training camp.
Quarterback Steve Montez get number 6. Wide receiver Johnathon Johnson received number 12 and wide receiver Isaiah Wright gets 83.
The Redskins have yet to announce the jersey numbers of new players signed in free agency.
