By Sunday 
Detroit Lions fans got a little offseason intrigue this week—and no, it wasn’t a surprise signing or bold Dan Campbell quote. This one came via a jersey number. Specifically, first-round rookie Tyleik Williams quietly ditched No. 78 and appears to have reclaimed his signature No. 91 from his college days at Ohio State.
It’s not exactly front-page news… unless you’re the kind of fan who knows that jersey numbers are more than just digits—they’re identity, legacy, and personal branding wrapped into two stitched numerals.
From “I Don’t Want It” to “It’s Mine Again”
Back at rookie minicamp, Williams made it clear that No. 78 wasn’t exactly his dream fit.
“Trying to get 91, but it’s already taken,” he said. “But hopefully, I can get out of 78. I don’t want (it)… but for right now, that’s my number.”
Turns out, he got his wish.
Williams recently posted a screenshot of a message saying his jersey number had officially been changed to 91—the same number he wore with pride at Ohio State. That quiet post said more than words ever could: Williams isn’t just here to fill a roster spot. He’s here to reclaim his presence.
A Number With Weight
For rookies, jersey numbers can feel like a weird rite of passage. You don’t always get to choose. You’re assigned something random, and if you’re low on the pecking order, you suck it up—at least for a while.
But when a first-round pick swaps numbers before training camp even starts, that’s not just a preference. That’s leverage. That’s confidence. That’s a subtle sign that the Lions believe Tyleik Williams is the real deal.
So What Happened to Levi Onwuzurike?
Williams didn’t just snatch No. 91 out of thin air. That number previously belonged to veteran defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike, who wore it in 2024. As of now, we don’t know what number Onwuzurike will take—he’s worn 75 in Detroit before, but Colby Sorsdal currently owns that. College number 95? Already claimed. Even 9 is off the table.
Safe to say, Onwuzurike might be trying on a few different looks during offseason workouts.
And let’s be honest: these swaps often come with a little behind-the-scenes negotiation. Whether it’s a dinner, a donation, or cold hard cash, veterans rarely give up prime jersey real estate without some form of thanks. We may never know the “price,” but Williams seems happy to pay it.
Why It Matters (Even If It Shouldn’t)
Some fans might roll their eyes at this kind of story, chalking it up to offseason fluff. But for a rookie stepping into a defensive line stacked with guys like Alim McNeill, D.J. Reader, and new depth like Roy Lopez and Tyleik’s fellow draftee Mekhi Wingo, every detail matters.
Claiming his old number might be a subtle confidence play, a way of mentally locking in before camp even begins.
It’s a jersey change—but it’s also a mindset.