Penn State football’s online roster was officially updated on Thursday, adding nearly two dozen new players. Part of this update for the 2025 season was the addition of new transfers and freshmen, which revealed their numbers.

While many collegiate players don’t make legacies that transcend them into their numbers, the lack of names on the back of Penn State’s iconic blue and white uniforms will always cause some numbers to bleed through history.

Numbers such as Saquon Barkley’s No. 26, Trace McSorley’s No. 9, and cumulative numbers such as No. 14 (quarterbacks such as Todd Blackledge, Christian Hackenberg, and Sean Clifford) and No. 11 (legendary linebackers) have fans reminiscing through their successors when seeing them on the football field. Maybe for this generation, Tyler Warren’s No. 44 will join those in eternity.

The number that made the most news was the passing of the torch of the iconic No. 11 from future first-round pick Abdul Carter to incoming freshman LaVar Arrington II, son of the former All-American and Pro Bowler who began the legacy of the iconic number. Arrington II was a four-star recruit and the No. 134 recruit in the nation, according to 247Sports.

However, Arrington II isn’t the only new No. 11 in the organization, as wide receiver Kyron Hudson was also assigned the number this week. The USC transfer was part of the remaking of the wide receiver room that saw several transfers come in and out. After a career-best season with the Trojans where he caught 38 passes for 462 yards and three touchdowns, Hudson becomes the first offensive player to wear No. 11 on the Nittany Lions since Malik McClain in 2023.

Other transfers include former Troy receiver Devonte Ross wearing No. 5, defensive lineman Owen Wafle wearing No. 34, defensive end Enai White wearing No. 45, and offensive lineman T.J. Shanahan wearing No. 54. Notably, Ross takes the number formerly worn by Omari Evans, while Wafle becomes the first Penn State defender to wear No. 34 since Dominic DeLuca in 2022 before he switched to No. 0 in 2023.

The other transfer is the returning safety King Mack, who wore No. 9 as a true freshman with the Nittany Lions in 2023 before transferring to Alabama. After Mack left, defensive back Elliott Washington II switched from No. 16 to No. 9, so it was only right that Mack took No. 16 upon his return, right?

Five-star freshman tight end Andrew Olesh grabbed No. 88, which was worn by Jerry Cross in 2024 before he transferred to Memphis, but is most known for being the digits of current Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki.

Fellow five-star offensive lineman Malachi Goodman did not receive his number, as he and several other incoming recruits have not enrolled yet. In all, 16 of the 27 members of the 2025 recruiting class enrolled early and received a number.

The lone quarterback in the class, Colorado native Bekkem Kritza, will wear No. 16. Although tight end Khalil Dinkins also wears this number, Kritza’s spot on the depth chart will likely not cause this to be an issue.

Four-star running back Tiqwai “Tikey” Hayes was assigned No. 23, last worn on offense by Trey Potts in 2023.

Freshman receivers Koby Howard and Lyrick Samuel will wear No. 3 and No. 81 respectively. Howard’s No. 3 was worn by Julian Fleming last season, while Samuel’s No. 81 is shared with redshirt freshman Donte Nastasi.

Trey Wallace’s old No. 6 will go to another receiver, as freshman Matthew Outten is listed with it on the roster. Outten, listed as an athlete on recruiting sites, seems to have locked in a position.

Several other outgoing Nittany Lions will have an immediate successor with their number. Coziah Izzard’s No. 99 will go to defensive lineman Yvan Kemajou, while Cam Miller’s No. 5 will go to fellow cornerback Daryus Dixson after Miller transferred to Rutgers in January.

Hakeem Beamon’s old No. 51 will go to offensive lineman Michael Troutman and Tyler Elsdon’s No. 43 will go to fellow linebacker Dayshaun Burnett.

The full list of the 22 new numbers are as follows:

No. 3: WR Koby Howard

No. 5: CB Daryus Dixson

No. 5: WR Devonte Ross (transfer)

No. 6: WR Matthew Outten

No. 11: LB LaVar Arrington II

No. 11: WR Kyron Hudson (transfer)

No. 14: S Braz Thomas

No. 16: QB Bekkem Kritza

No. 16: S King Mack (transfer)

No. 23: RB Tiqwai Hayes

No. 25: LB Alex Tatsch

No. 34: DT Owen Wafle (transfer)

No. 43: LB Dayshaun Burnett

No. 45: DE/EDGE Enai White (transfer)

No. 51: OL Michael Troutman

No. 52: DT Randy Adirika

No. 54: OL T.J. Shanahan (transfer)

No. 77: OL Owen Aliciene

No. 81: WR Lyrick Samuel

No. 83: TE Brian Kortovich

No. 88: TE Andrew Olesh

No. 99: DL Yvan Kemajou