Former Vols DB Alontae Taylor explains the emotional reason why he's changing his jersey number in 2023

Former Tennessee Vols defensive back Alontae Taylor will be sporting a new number with the New Orleans Saints in 2023.  Taylor, who wore No. 2 and No. 6 when he played with the Vols, wore No. 27 during his first season with the Saints.  This fall, however, Taylor will make the switch to No. 1, […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Former Tennessee Vols defensive back Alontae Taylor will be sporting a new number with the New Orleans Saints in 2023. 

Taylor, who wore No. 2 and No. 6 when he played with the Vols, wore No. 27 during his first season with the Saints. 

This fall, however, Taylor will make the switch to No. 1, which was previously worn in New Orleans by former Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (Callaway signed with the Denver Broncos earlier this offseason). 

Taylor told Crescent City Sports this offseason that he's making the switch to No. 1 because of his grandmother who passed away in 2009. 

“I had a single digit jersey in both high school and at Tennessee," said Taylor. "I wanted a single digit but requested to have one when it became available. I didn’t have an idea about what number. My cousin and I live for one reason, my grandma. She was my inspiration. The number goes a little deeper than just number one.”

Taylor, who was selected by the Saints in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, will look to build on a solid rookie season that saw the former Vol make nine starts for New Orleans. 

Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

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