Tim May of the Columbus Dispatch wrote an article over the weekend where it talked about how incoming freshman linebacker Justin Hilliard will be wearing No. 47 this upcoming season, which is a retired number by the Ohio State football program.
The number was once worn by Chic Harley, who played for the Buckeyes from 1916-1919, basically putting the football program on the map.
In the article “Incoming freshman Hilliard cleared to wear Harley’s No. 47,” by May for Buckeye Extra of the Dispatch brand, it says the following about how it was all made possible:
“Hilliard, a linebacker who wore the number while starring at Cincinnati (Xavier) before signing with the Buckeyes, didn’t just make a grab for it.