Jedrick Wills revealed on his social media on Monday that he will wear No. 71 for the Cleveland Browns. The team’s new left tackle and first-round pick chose the number with help from a fan poll he orchestrated on Twitter.
Wills wore No. 74 at Alabama. In Cleveland, that is Chris Hubbard’s number and Wills deferred to the veteran.
Browns legend Joe Thomas gave Wills the green light to wear his old No. 73, but Wills wanted to create his own identity and legacy. He respectfully declined the offer from Thomas, who is poised to help him transition to left tackle from the right side he played for the Crimson Tide.
Wills opted to go with 71 instead of 72. The last prominent Browns player to wear 71 was Danny Shelton, before the nose tackle switched to No. 55.
