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The History Behind Giants' Draft Picks Jersey Number Assignments

Let's take a look behind the history of the jersey numbers assigned to the Giants rookie draft class.
Patricia Traina|
The History Behind Giants' Draft Picks Jersey Number Assignments
The History Behind Giants' Draft Picks Jersey Number Assignments

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New York Giants

There's usually a story or history behind a player's jersey number, so let's look at what the New York Giants rookie draft class will be sporting in the coming weeks and months as we walk down memory lane.

Jersey numbers aren't finalized, so before you go out and buy a particular rookie's jersey, it's probably a good idea to wait and see what he ends up wearing once training camp is over.

CB Deonte Banks, No. 36

Banks gets No. 36, last worn by safety Dane Belton for a brief stint (Belton switched to No. 24). The last known Giants to wear No. 36 for an entire season was fullback Cullen Gillaspia in 2021. No. 36 was also worn by defensive back Shaun Williams, a first-round draft pick in 1998.

In college, Banks wore Nos. 33 and 3 for the Terps, which just so happens to add up to No. 36. Cornerback Aaron Robinson is currently assigned No. 33.

C John Michael Schmit, No. 61

Schmitz gets a jersey number that is believed to have only been assigned 18 times in Giants franchise history. The last two players to wear No. 61 were offensive linemen Dallas Reynolds (2013) and before him Adam Koets (2007).

Schmitz wore No. 60 during his college career at Minnesota, a number famously worn by Giants center Shaun O'Hara. Currently, Marcus McKethan, a draft pick from last year, is the holder of No. 60, so it remains to be seen if Schmitz gets his college number.

WR Jalin Hyatt, No. 84

The Giants' third-round steal at receiver gets a number once worn by tight end Larry Donnell and, more recently, receivers David Sills V and Marcus Johnson. Some other notable receivers to sport the jersey number include Joe Jurevicius (1999) and Tim Carter (2002),

Hyatt wore No. 11 at Tennessee, but that number is currently retired by the Giants, having famously been worn by quarterback Phil Simms.

RB Eric Gray, No. 20

Gray, who played his college ball at Tennessee before finishing up at Oklahoma, wore No. 3 for the Vols (currently taken by Sterling Shepard) and zero for the Sooners (currently owned by receiver Parris Campbell).

But he need not worry about wearing No. 20 as he's in some good company with guys who have worn that number for the Giants. Those include running back Joe Morris (1982-1988), defensive back Sam Garnes (1997-2001), and, more recently, defensive back Julian Love (2020-2022).

CB Tre Hawkins III, No. 37

Hawkins wore Nos. 10 and 6 at Old Dominion. No. 10, of course, is retired in honor of quarterback Eli Manning. And No. 16 is also retired, having last been worn by the late Frank Gifford.

And so Hawkins will begin his NFL career wearing a number last worn by veteran cornerback Fabian Moreau last year. Before Moreau, running back Gary Brightwell wore the digits before switching to 23. And before Brightewell, special teamer Keion Crossen, a one-and-done player for the Giants in 2021, wore the number.

DL Jordon Riley, No. 95

Riley is one of the more well-traveled members of the Giants rookie class, having begun his college career at North Carolina, where he wore No. 90 (famously worn by Giants first-rounder Jason Pierre-Paul). When he moved to Nebraska, he wore No. 87, a rather odd-looking assignment for a defensive lineman.

At Oregon, he proudly wore No. 91, so with the Giants, he'll start with No. 95 with the Giants, a number last worn by outside linebacker Quincy Roche and, before him, interior defensive lineman B.J. Hill (and famously sported by defensive lineman Justin Tuck).

Let's hope Riley, one of two seventh-round draft picks this year, develops into the next Tuck and/or JPP.

DB Gervarrius Owens, No. 31

Ownes sported three different numbers during his four years at Houston, beginning with No. 9 and then No. 32, and then finally No. 2. He'll wear No. 31 to start his career with the Giants, a number worn by running back Matt Breida (who per Giants.com is still assigned that number).

For those wondering, No. 32 has been retired by the Giants in honor of the man who last wore it, WWII hero Al Blozis (1942 - 1944). Blozis, a fifth-round draft pick for the Giants in 1942, tragically lost his life in the line of duty at the age of 26.

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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