Well, in the world of football, jersey numbers aren’t just handed out like free samples. The hustle to get your favorite number is a real fight. But under Mario Cristobal, Miami’s number one jersey signifies more than mere participation; it’s an honor players must earn. Since taking charge in 2022, Cristobal made it loud and clear: that number belongs to the ‘baddest son of a gun’ on the roster, no exceptions. Fast forward to now; it looks like Cristobal wants no part of the headache that comes with it.
Now that the spring game is back, Mario Cristobal is out there supporting and building his team that might finally take them to the playoffs. But here’s the question that pops into everyone’s head: Who’s going to get the No. 1 jersey this season and if it can still be earned between now and the season?
Answering that, Cristobal on the CaneSport Miami Football said, “You know, that’s a great question. You know, I can’t be right in giving out jerseys, so I assign a staff member to do so. It’s the worst job in America, you know, to deal with everybody that wants the same jersey number. So I’ve relieved myself of those duties, and I have a coach do that, and he just kind of comes by at the end and briefs me on it.” That’s a bummer. Knowing the fact that jersey numbers have always been Mario Cristobal’s thing, his not being a part of the selection process is shocking.
Last season, senior linebacker Francisco “Kiko” Mauigoa and senior transfer QB Cam Ward wore the coveted No. 1. But even then, Mario Cristobal made sure that their performance justified the number. And let’s not forget his ultimate warning to them, saying, “I’ll monitor it, and if a guy doesn’t deserve it, I’ll take (the number) off.” This is what makes it more unfortunate that Cristobal isn’t taking part in it this season.
But if we go by Mario Cristobal’s stance, he doesn’t want numbers to turn into a fashion show. Players aren’t picking numbers to look good — they’re earning them to mean something. If you want that #1 jersey, talent alone won’t cut it. As he says, “If I have to sit there and try to figure that out, that’s like, uh, it’s like Chinese math. I mean, it’s really, really difficult, and again, everybody wants the same numbers. But the guys have done a good job, and they know that we’re of the mindset of working and earning and making that number mean something as opposed to it being a pageant, right? Or it just looks good because it’s a number.” Now who gets the No. 1 jersey is still not known, but Miami star QB Carson Beck‘s number choice is really sparking major comparisons.
Beck isn’t just taking on the role of Miami’s QB1, he’s also stepping into history. Instead of sticking with the No. 15 he wore at Georgia, he’s making a change to No. 11. This switch may not seem significant, but the last primary Hurricanes starter to wear that number was former QB Ken Dorsey, who led Miami to a national title in 2001. Since then, a few quarterbacks have worn the number, but none as the starting QB. Now, Beck is bringing it back, along with a whole set of expectations.
Now for Miami fans, who have been eagerly awaiting a quarterback who can lead them to success, Beck’s choice to wear Dorsey’s old number only adds to the anticipation. However, the pressure is on both sides — he’s not just wearing a number, he’s also carrying a legacy. With a recovering arm and a high-stakes season approaching, there’s more on the horizon for him.
Carson Beck’s shoulders carry heavy expectations in 2025
Carson Beck didn’t transfer to Miami to sit on the bench; he came to take charge. The former Georgia quarterback is now stepping into the spotlight as Cam Ward’s successor after a remarkable season (Ward threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and earned a spot as a Heisman finalist). Beck faces the challenge of matching Ward’s impressive performance and aims to regain the first-round draft status he once had. However, there’s a hurdle – he’s currently not throwing passes.
Although Mario Cristobal has emphasized Beck’s progress since his UCL surgery, which sidelined him from the SEC Championship, Beck isn’t yet ready for the spring game because he only recently removed his brace. As Miami insider Alex Donno said on Locked on Canes, “By all accounts, he’s recovering quickly, ahead of schedule. He should be throwing soon. Now, if you take Mario Cristobal at his word, could be throwing in a couple of weeks. We’ll see.”
But don’t expect Beck to disappear. He may not be throwing long passes, but he’ll still be involved. “I expect to see him at the facility tomorrow and throughout the rest of the week,” Donno added. “Because until he’s ready to fully participate physically, there’s going to be other ways for him to have his leadership and his involvement felt in the indoor practice facility this week.” Spring practices aren’t merely about throwing; they’re about team chemistry, leadership development, and establishing a positive team dynamic. Though Beck can’t fully showcase his skills yet, his mere presence informs Miami about their next starting quarterback.
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