Rece Davis makes strange comment on college football jerseys

Anthony Hill at the Center of Debate

Hill, a rising defensive star at Texas, has been one of the players to wear the unconventional number, which was only approved for use in college football beginning in 2020. Just about every team has a player wearing the number 0.

While some players view it as a badge of swagger, others — like Davis and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders — see it as a number that sends the wrong message.

Sanders has been outspoken before about his dislike for the jersey number, even reportedly banning it in his Colorado program. Davis echoed those sentiments, pointing out that football is a game built around identity and pride, and “zero” just doesn’t sit right with traditionalists.

Some fans took Davis comments as tongue-in-cheek, while others saw genuine frustration behind his words. Whether he was simply playing up the moment for laughs or truly serious, one thing was clear — he doesn’t like the number zero on a college football jersey.

The exchange comes as ESPN ramps up its college football slate for the 2025-26 season. With College GameDay returning and new programming like The Herbies hitting the air, debates like jersey numbers are sure to fuel even more conversation as kickoff approaches.

Whether fans agree with Davis or not, one thing is certain: the number zero has quickly become one of the most polarizing numbers in the sport.