Devin Brown’s jersey number draws quizzical reaction across social media

Devin Brown has college football fans a bit confused to begin Friday’s Cotton Bowl.

The game arrives as Brown’s first career start as quarterback for Ohio State. However, Brown is wearing No. 33, certainly an uncommon choice for a QB at any level of the sport.

Traditionally, players at QB don a single digit or one in the early teens. For context, Ohio State’s former starter Kyle McCord donned No. 6, and Mizzou’s Brady Cook sports No. 12.

For what it’s worth, Brown did not always wear No. 33. He switched to the number in the offseason as a nod to Hall of Fame QB Sammy Baugh while Brown proclaimed No. 33 as “the OG QB number.”

Brown might have a nice and unique reason for the switch to the number, but that hasn’t changed the confusion (and disgust from some) among fans on social media. It’s definitely an odd sight for many, and it will take some getting used to.

Take a look:

Dad’s take on Devin Brown, “I would bench him already for wearing number 33.”

— Joe DiTullio (@DiTullioJoe) December 30, 2023

Why does Devin Brown wear 33 ? It’s such a weird number for a QB lol

— ᴺʸ²ᵀʰᵃᴮᵃʸ (@Ny2ThaBay) December 30, 2023

Devin Brown wearing 33 idk how long I’ll be able to watch this

— . (@brmeier00) December 30, 2023

Devin Brown looks so damn stupid wearing 33

— Luke from Class (@LukeeeZachary) December 30, 2023

OSU QB Devin Brown, number 33??
Clearly taunting the Sports gods

— Brandon Phoenix (@IAlsoHatepitt) December 30, 2023

I know Devin Brown wears #33 in tribute to Sammy Baugh, but a quarterback wearing anything other than 1-19 looks so weird. #CottonBowl pic.twitter.com/CS3L0cT407

— Kyle Banks (@kylebanks) December 30, 2023

It’s physically impossible to be a good QB wearing #33. Ryan Day of all people should know that looking good = playing good. Devin Brown’s career is toast

— Ryan Hickey (@Ryan_Hickey3) December 30, 2023

Devin Brown wearing #33 is gonna piss me off all game

— turb (@devyntyo) December 30, 2023

Wearing #33 as a QB is the grossest thing a man can do, Devin Brown needs a mentor

— Dillon Josephsen (@DillonJosephsen) December 30, 2023

Devin brown wearing 33? Yea OSU bout to get stepped on ?

— The 27th Ace ?✊? (@greatness_viii) December 30, 2023

Is it possible that Devin Brown wearing No. 33 is holding him back somehow?

— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) December 30, 2023

I’m going to take a drink every time Devin Brown wearing 33 is mentioned. Cheers baby

— Courtney (@cburt92) December 30, 2023

Devin brown showing why he wears # 33 early. Tell Ryan day to fire up the portal brother

— Don T Red (@tyler_red_51) December 30, 2023

Devin Brown is wearing #33 for Ohio State at QB. Is this the team’s regular season starter? #CottonBowl

— Nick Vasos (@NickVasos) December 30, 2023

Yeah look I’m sorry but I cannot get behind Devin Brown as QB1 moving forward if he’s going to continue to insist on wearing 33

— zack (@GLLGHR301) December 30, 2023

I hope Devin Brown balls out and we get the win, but I can’t get past a QB wearing #33. Just doesn’t look right.

— Nolan Harmon (@nharm1) December 30, 2023

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.