New Mexico defensive back Ishmael Az-Zahir Burdine wears the strangest number in college football. The sixth-year senior will turn 24 years old next month while working on a second degree at his third school.
It is hard to miss him in the secondary!
Az-Zahir, a former three-star prospect in the recruiting Class of 2019, began his career at Missouri but missed 11 games as a freshman due to injury and took a redshirt. He played in 13 games for the Tigers over the next two seasons. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound corner then hit the transfer portal and landed at TCU.
Unfortunately, his time in Fort Worth was equally as frustrating. Az-Zahir suffered a season-ending injury during the second game of the 2022 season. He appeared in just three contests last fall.
Now in his sixth season, Ishmael Az-Zahir debuted for the Lobos in a disappointing loss on Saturday.
Montana State running back Adam Jones left him in the dust on 93-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter that put the Bobcats in great position to come back and win, which they did. It was not entirely Az-Zahir’s fault, but he got twisted up and couldn’t catch up.
As No. 23 ran down the sideline for six, No. 77 was in hot pursuit.
OH MY GOODNESS, TO THE HOUSE 😱🏡
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 24, 2024
This was an incredible run from @MSUBobcats_FB's Adam Jones 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8SIPDiYgTu
Yes, you read that correctly!
Ishmael Az-Zahir wears No. 77 as a defensive back for the University New Mexico. Weird, right?
Az-Zahir, who used to go by Burdine, wore No. 18 with the Horned Frogs and No. 24 with the Tigers. This whole 77 thing is new this year. The reason is unclear, but there is no rule against it in college football.
According to NCAA rule book, Rule 1 Section 4 Article 1 “strongly recommends” numbering as follows for offensive players:
- Back: 0-49
- Center: 50-59
- Guard: 60-69
- Tackle: 70-79
- End: 80=99
It does not stipulate specific numbers for defensive players. They can wear whatever, wherever.
Az-Zahir only joined the New Mexico program in early June.
Perhaps the Lobos were already out of numbers by that point? 77 must’ve been all that was left.