A day after asking Brian Kelly about the status of when the 18 jersey will be announced, it turned out that not only one #18 was announced, but two. Also, LSU decided to be just as giving with the coveted #7 jersey as there will be two representatives wearing the number as well.
This year will be the first time that both prestigious jersey numbers will have two representatives at the same time and on both sides of the ball. The jersey numbers were awarded after today’s evening practice.
“The number 18 jersey has great historical significance with our program. Matt Mauck was the first to wear it. He came to this program after playing professional baseball and won a national championship wearing the number 18. He epitomized all the intangibles of a teammate – he had all the things we talk about when it comes to great traits. He passed that number on to another great LSU player in Jacob Hester who led his team to another national championship.”
“Throughout the last 25 years the number 18 has been passed down to a player who brings all those traits of a great teammate. Somebody who has given himself up for the team. A guy you can count on, a guy you want next to you when adversity hits, a guy that’s going to be there when you need him. That’s number 18.”
LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly on Josh Williams
A perfect player that exemplifies all of those characteristics is Josh Williams, who started his college career as a walk-on and is now not only a starting running back, but a two time college graduate and four time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
“I’ve had a long journey, coming here as a walk-on in 2019 and now in my sixth season. Being able to represent LSU with the number 18 jersey means a lot to me. Seeing the number 18s that I have played with over the years and seeing what they meant to the team and what they mean to LSU, I just want to thank coach Kelly and the coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to wear this special number.”
LSU RB Josh Williams
Defensively, the 18 jersey was presented to senior team captain linebacker Greg Penn, who was one of the bright spots last year on a underwhelming year on that side of the ball as he made big plays last season when the team needed it with 89 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and an interception.
“He kept our defense together last year. We won 10 games last year and he kept our unit together through some difficult times, because he was about LSU football. He was about, when we brought a transfer in at his position, all he did was work harder. He represents all the principles of being a great teammate and a guy you can count on.”
LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly on Greg Penn
While the #18 jersey is for leadership, #7 is synonymous for the best playmakers and LSU certainly has two great options that are both projected first round NFL picks this season in Harold Perkins Jr. and Will Campbell.
“(This number) is about somebody that brings an incredible ability, is from the state and calls Louisiana his home. This number is about a player that brings up others around him. You can’t just be a great player – if it’s just about him – the number 7 jersey doesn’t work. You have to bring others up around him and that’s what these two do. They elevate the play of those around him.”
LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly
Campbell will wear a number 7 patch for the second year in a row. Since he is an offensive lineman, he will continue wearing his usual 66 jersey while having the patch. The former Neville Tiger is coming off a 1st Team All-SEC season as a sophomore while being an integral part in a historic 2023 offensive attack.
The newest member of the 7 club is none other than another former freshman All-American in Harold Perkins Jr., who has been a major disruptor over his career with 26 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and being credited with nine forced turnovers. Coach Kelly has praised the former five star’s ability to not only elevate his play, but the others around him.
These four LSU Tigers have now joined two great fraternities of players that have worn the two most recognizable jersey numbers in the program’s illustrious history.
LSU’s No. 18 (since tradition started in 2003)
Matt Mauck (2003)
Jacob Hester (2004-07)
Richard Dickson (2008-09)
Richard Murphy (2010)
Brandon Taylor (2011)
Bennie Logan (2012)
Lamin Barrow (2013)
Terrence Magee (2014)
Tre’Davious White (2015-16)
Christian LaCouture (2017)
John David Moore (2017)
Foster Moreau (2018)
K’Lavon Chaisson (2019)
Lloyd Cushenberry III (2019)
Chris Curry (2020)
Damone Clark (2020-21)
BJ Ojulari (2022)
Mekhi Wingo (2023)
Greg Penn (2024)
Josh Williams (2024)
LSU No. 7 (since tradition started in 2008)
Patrick Peterson (2008-10)
Tyrann Mathieu (2011)
Leonard Fournette (2014-16)
DJ Chark (2017)
Grant Delpit (2019)
Ja’Marr Chase (2020)
Derek Stingley Jr. (2021)
Kayshon Boutte (2022)
Will Campbell (2023, 2024)
Harold Perkins (2024)
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