Redskins defensive lineman Daron Payne is switching his jersey number. After wearing the No. 95 as a rookie, Payne is going back to his high school roots, switching to the jersey number 94.
The No. 94 belonged to edge rusher Preston Smith when Payne was drafted in the first round of last year’s draft by the Redskins. Now, Smith is gone as he signed with the Green Bay Packers as a free agent.
Payne wore the No. 94 while at Shades Valley High School in Birmingham, Ala., where he developed into a five-star recruit. He also wore the number while at the University of Alabama where he shined and became a first-round talent with the Crimson Tide.
Payne becomes the second Redskins player to switch from the jersey No. 95 for the second straight season. Jonathan Allen, another Alabama product, switched from No. 95 to No. 93 in 2018 after his rookie season — Trent Murphy had possessed No. 93 beforehand.
Now the No. 93 and 94 will be lined up side-by-side once again just like they did while at Alabama.
