No. 7 jersey tradition dies with Mathieu's departure

Published Aug 23, 2012 at 9:00 am (Updated Aug 23, 2012)

Although it may have no bearing on the LSU football secondary calling itself "Defensive Back University," none of the players will be wearing No. 7 this season. Dismissed cornerback Tyrann Mathieu changed his jersey last year from No. 14 to No. 7 in honor of former cornerback Patrick Peterson, who wore No. 7 at LSU and now plays for the Arizona Cardinals. "We're trying to get a tradition started here with the number 7," Mathieu told The Daily Reveille a year ago. On Tuesday, LSU sports information Director Michael Bonnette said the team hadn't reissued No. 7 to a player. "It's very likely that no one will wear No. 7 this year," Bonnette says. However, in an older jersey tradition, defensive tackle Bennie Logan is wearing No. 18 this year. Logan, a junior, was No. 93 last year. The No. 18 jersey tradition goes back to quarterback Matt Mauck, who helped lead LSU to the 2003 national championship and gave the number to running back Jacob Hester. To read a recent story about Logan in the The Times-Picayune, click here. —Adam Pearson