By Mark Clements
An athlete’s number often represents much more than just a placeholder on the team’s roster.
Especially in a sport like football, where helmets mask players’ faces, a number can become part of their identity to fans.
Typically an athlete chooses his or her number for a reason—it’s the one they wore in high school, it’s the same number their father sported or maybe it’s out of respect to another athlete they admire—but in the case of No. 18 on the LSU football team, a player has to earn it.
Beginning sometime around 2003 with quarterback Matt Mauck, who wore No. 18 and led LSU to a national championship, the number has become a sacred piece of the football program.
It’s passed down every year to the Tiger that best represents leadership, maturity and poise, both on and off the field.
LSU coach Les Miles has been quoted as saying, “It’s a guy that’s not just had his way. It’s not been real easy for him. It’s always been a guy that’s embodied the program, worked hard, had a very, very quality outlook on the team.”
The honor is voted on by the players, with Miles’ final approval. It’s been donned by offensive and defensive players, worn by someone who has overcome adversity.
Former Tiger running back and No. 18 Jacob Hester was an undersized two-star prospect out of high school before eventually working his way to a starting role at LSU. He’s one of only two players to wear the number for more than a year, donning No. 18 from 2004-07 after earning it from Mauck.
Hester is remembered as the workhorse back who contributed both on offense and special teams. His landmark performance came in 2007 against then No. 9 Florida when he rushed for 106 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
Hester passed the number along to the only other Tiger to wear it for multiple years in tight end Richard Dickson, who became the most productive tight end in school history with 90 receptions, 952 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career.
Richard Murphy was the second tailback to wear 18. He tore his ACL in high school and two games into his junior year before being awarded the number his senior season.
The honor then switched to the defensive side of the ball and stayed there for three seasons.
Safety Brandon Taylor was the first defensive player to wear No. 18, earning it for his senior season after suffering a foot injury late in his junior year. Taylor worked his way back into the starting lineup for all 14 games and was voted one of five permanent team captains in 2011.
Bennie Logan was next in line after moving from defensive end to tackle upon arriving at LSU. He started in 13 games and shined his first year as a starter in 2011 and wore No. 18 in 2012, when he earned second team All-SEC honors and was eventually drafted.
The most recent defensive player to wear it was linebacker Lamin Barrow, who stayed at LSU for five years and had to slowly work his way into a starting role. He eventually became the Tigers’ leading tackler in 2013.
The number returned to a running back this past season with senior Terrence Magee. After struggling to find opportunities in a crowded and talented backfield, Magee switched positions and worked with the wide receivers for one season to expand his skill set.
He moved back to tailback and eventually became the second-leading rusher on the team last year with 571 yards and three touchdowns, along with being a role model for underclassmen.
There is speculation every offseason as to who the next No. 18 may be, and Tiger fans won’t know for sure until the team reveals the honor in early August.
One thing is for certain—whoever does end up with the big 1-8 on their back will be deemed a team leader both on and off the field. He will join a special class of Tigers that are part of the No. 18 legacy.
