David Long Jr. switching to No. 11 with Cedrick Wilson Jr. now on the Saints

<div><figure> <img alt="NFL: AFC Wild Card Round-Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SwDUceElgAhtHIDBrnJ8G56bi0I=/0x0:4634x3089/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73276296/usa_today_22287548.0.jpg"> <figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption> </figure> <p>I’m not entirely sure how to feel about a linebacker wearing No. 11. </p> <p id="XDm2wN"><a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> linebacker David Long Jr. will become the first non-quarterback since 2005 to wear No. 11 for the franchise. Cedrick Wilson Jr., who wore the number last season, signed a two-year deal with the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a>, opening the opportunity for Long to secure his college number. </p> <p id="SuzkD0">The news was first shared by <a href="https://twitter.com/nfl_jersey_num">NFL Jersey Numbers on X</a>. </p> <div id="lpbZNx"> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Miami Dolphins LB David Long (<a href="https://twitter.com/David__Long?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@David__Long</a>) is now wearing number 11. Last worn by Cedrick Wilson. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FinsUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FinsUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/wAYQ75wGyU">pic.twitter.com/wAYQ75wGyU</a></p>— NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl_jersey_num) <a href="https://twitter.com/nfl_jersey_num/status/1778911240334495991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2024</a> </blockquote> </div> <p id="gmTI9H">The jersey change snaps a tradition that began with undrafted free agent Julius Pruitt in 2011. Mike Wallace wore No. 11 for his two seasons in Miami before DeVante Parker snagged it after being selected in the first round of the 2015 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>. Quarterback Gus Frerotte wore it way back in 2005. </p> <p id="94E78S">Long sported <a href="https://wvusports.com/sports/football/roster/david-long-jr-/5469">No. 11 throughout 31 starts at West Virginia</a>, earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year while leading the team with 111 tackles and eight sacks in 2018. He spent his first four professional seasons with the <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a>. </p> <p id="vHYCsB">Signing a two-year deal with the Dolphins last offseason, Long appeared in 17 games in 2023, finishing the year with 113 total tackles and a forced fumble. He’s penciled in to start inside with former <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> linebacker Jordyn Brooks next season. </p> <div id="WBhsQh"></div> <p id="P1qvdb"> </p></div>