Jaylen Wright certainly made his mark in Knoxville with the Tennessee Volunteers. The speedy runner was a key part of the 2022 11-win Orange Bowl championship team and became the first Tennessee player since 2015 to rush for 1000 yards in a season.
Naturally, some Tennessee fans might be interested in getting Wright's NFL jersey now that he's with the Miami Dolphins. As it turns out, Wright will be sporting a number that's been pretty prominent with the franchise for many years. The Dolphins released the numbers for their new players on Friday morning, and Wright will be wearing 25.
New digits pic.twitter.com/Kf0v5pEXb9
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) May 10, 2024
25 is the number that former Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard wore. Howard, who was released by the Dolphins back in March as a cap casualty, was drafted by the Dolphins in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played for Miami from 2016 to 2023, where he earned sterling accolades throughout his career. He was named first team All-Pro in 2020, second team All-Pro in 2018 and made four Pro Bowls in his time in Miami. He also led the NFL in interceptions twice in 2018 and 2020.
Not a bad career in South Florida.
As such, there will likely still be many 25 jerseys in South Florida for years to come. After all, it takes time for some fans to eventually trade them in for those of more currently players.
However, Wright should have the chance to make a name for himself early in his career wearing the number. After all, the Dolphins clearly love his potential by parting with a third-round pick to snag him last month in the fourth round of the draft.
As such, Dolphins and Volunteer fans will get to watch together as Wright attempts to stake his own claim this upcoming season to a number many Miami fans have respected for a long time.
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