I'll stand up for the guy because I am equally confused by so many duplicate numbers these days. If rosters are limited to 80 (?), Why do ten guys have to share 5 numbers? I am not aware of any retired numbers from Ohio's glory days. Anyone else?
Is it a position thing - i.e. too many linemen not enough 70's and 80's - or, in this case 20's?
Actually, there are 117 players on the roster. I think they try to avoid giving two scholarship players the same number and they definitely try to avoid giving two guys who actually play the same number. Typically, there is only one player with a certain number who actually sees the field and the others are more or less scout team and practice players.