The Zero Experiment
When the NCAA’s Playing Rules Oversight Panel voted in April 2020 to permit the use of jersey number 0, the decision sparked both curiosity and debate across college football. The move was framed as a practical step to accommodate the growing popularity of single‑digit numbers while also simplifying the process of assigning numbers that might otherwise cause duplication.
Alongside the approval came a clarification that no more than two teammates could share the same numeral, a rule intended to preserve uniqueness on the field while still allowing the digit to be used strategically.
For the University of Tennessee, the policy opened a pathway for several standout athletes to claim the unconventional numeral, a choice that quickly became a talking point among fans and analysts alike.
Bryce Thompson, a defensive back, became the first Volunteer to don the zero in the 2020 season, setting a precedent that would be followed by a handful of his teammates over the ensuing years.
Grant Frerking, who transitioned from wide receiver to a more versatile role, wore the number through the 2021 and 2022 campaigns, while Doneiko Slaughter, a defensive back, held the digit from 2021 until 2023.
Ethan Davis, a tight end, embraced the numeral from 2024 through 2026, and linebacker Amare Campbell sported it in the 2026 season, illustrating the number’s growing presence within the roster.
The NCAA’s accompanying rule limiting the number of players who can share the same jersey to two added a strategic layer, ensuring that the zero would remain a distinctive badge rather than a ubiquitous uniform. Beyond the numbers themselves, the development reflects a broader conversation about tradition, individuality, and the evolving identity of college football programs as they navigate new regulatory landscapes.