Why Oregon receiver Jurrion Dickey changed jersey numbers from 99 to 13

EUGENE — Jurrion Dickey wore No. 13 throughout his high school career. The Oregon receiver, who caught attention for choosing No. 99 as a true freshman, wanted to take the opportunity to wear his old number in college, but used it as a proverbial carrot.

The Ducks redshirt-freshman set goals for his weight, strength and grades to accomplish this offseason before making the jersey change, which is one of two among returning UO players since the spring and five this offseason.

“I had a whole lot of past with No. 13,” Dickey said. “When the opportunity is there I felt like I would feel worse if I didn’t take the opportunity when it was there instead of allowing it just to wash away. I feel like it was my opportunity so I took it.

“I set a standard to be able to obtain No. 13. … To me 13 was a challenge and only for me to get it if I beat my challenge. I’d say I won my challenge up to here.”

Listed at 215 pounds last season, when he was coming off an injury from his senior year in high school, Dickey said he reached his goal of being between 200-205 pounds. He wanted to “push weight,” and claims to have increased some dumbbell lifts from 60 pounds to 110 pounds per arm.

With one catch for seven yards over five games while redshirting last season, the former five-star prospect is expected to see a much bigger role this fall.

Another player changing numbers ahead of fall camp is sophomore defensive tackle A’Mauri Washington, who switches to No. 52 from 58. Traeshon Holden (1 from 5), Nikko Reed (9 from 25) and Dave Iuli (74 from 52) changed numbers during the spring.

The numbers for transfers and freshmen who arrived this summer are: Brandon Johnson (3), Peyton Woodyard (12), Dylan Williams (20), De’Jaun Riggs (21), Ify Obidegwu (25), Devin Brooks (53), Derrick Harmon (55) and Fox Crader (59). Additionally, preferred walk-ons Jalen Saint Paul (24), Jacob Pruitt (35), Kade Caton (40), Brady Bidwell (89) and Tyler Kinsman (94) also arrived this summer.

Preferred walk-ons DJ Beckum, Hunter Roberts, Andrew Walker and Brodie Wright left the program this offseason.