GoHeels Exclusive: Meet The Jumpman

By Pat James

For decades, the No. 23 has been synonymous with Michael Jordan, with his accomplishments at North Carolina and with the Chicago Bulls prompting millions of athletes to don the number in his honor.

Cayson Collins, No. 23 on the UNC football team, could easily be mistaken for one of those million. However, for the Charlotte native, who grew up admiring the Jordan Brand but didn't own a pair of its shoes until his junior year at Berry Academy, the number carries a more sentimental meaning.

At Berry Academy, Collins wore No. 3. His best friend, Kelvin Brim, sported No. 2. And while Collins was ranked as one of the top 20 players in North Carolina by all the major recruiting analysts, he said Brim never received the attention that Collins thought he deserved.

Thus, when Collins arrived in Chapel Hill in 2014, he combined his high school number with Brim's as a tribute to him, forming the No. 23.

Three years later, Collins' number took on another meaning on Saturday afternoon, when excited Tar Heel fans flocked to The Plaza at 140 West Franklin for the unveiling of the football team's new Jordan Brand uniforms at the annual Meet The Heels event.

It was there that fans walked through a makeshift hangar that contained displays of the uniforms. Each one featured the Jordan Brand logo and the No. 23 on the jersey – just like the one Collins will wear this season.

"I felt like I'd put on for the both of us (himself and Brim), so I got 23," Collins said. "It was pretty cool that my senior year we go to Jordan and I'm 23."

The excitement surrounding the new uniforms brought many fans to the event an hour before it even began. Some sought shade, while others either floated toward a merchandise stand selling Jordan Brand gear or the activities for children.

At 4 p.m., Jones Angell addressed the crowd about UNC's partnership with the Jordan Brand. He was then joined on the platform in front of the hanger first by Bubba Cunningham and then Larry Fedora, who generated the loudest cheers of the afternoon.

"Wearing the Jordan Brand on your chest is like wearing a badge of honor," Fedora told the crowd. "It's a sign of greatness. It demands 100 percent effort. M.J.'s career was defined by his competitive drive, by his unwavering work ethic, by his pursuit of winning.

"Right here at UNC, this is where Mike became Michael. This is where he took flight … Our guys are working their butts off, and we are ready to take flight just as Michael did."

Following Fedora's speech, he and Cunningham opened the doors of the hangar to the public. Once inside, fans saw three different uniform combinations, including a new navy alternate, that featured an argyle trim.

A practice uniform was also displayed on one mannequin. Although UNC is the second football program outfitted by Jordan Brand – Michigan began wearing it last season – it's the first to boast the Jumpman logo on its practice helmet.

"Every single player we're recruiting, they all know about it," said Fedora about the Jordan Brand partnership. "It's no secret. They all know, they all ask about it, they all want to see the type of shoes we're getting, what we're going to wear. Kids want to see the swag these days."

Unlike Collins, Jeremiah Clarke said he started wearing Jordan Brand shoes when he was an infant. His favorite move growing up was Space Jam, starring Jordan, and he even owned film-inspired sheets and a duffle bag.

"From the time I first opened a Jordan box, I was in love with Jordans," said Clarke, as he signed autographs following the uniform unveiling. "I'm just glad I can finally put on a jersey that has the same logo and rep the Carolina Blue along with it."

But for someone who grew up idolizing Jordan and the brand he created, is Clarke jealous of Collins' No. 23?

"I think I'm going to stick with 49," Clarke said. "I've got to make 49 bigger than 23."

Players Mentioned

Jeremiah Clarke

Cayson Collins

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