Mark Snyder

Detroit Free Press

For more than a decade, the No. 1 jersey at Michigan has held an unattainable mystique.

Apparently, it has now been assigned.

Incoming freshman receiver Dylan Crawford, a four-star signee from Santa Margarita, Calif., will wear the number, according to a locker room video of the players’ stalls.

The video was posted by another incoming freshman, linebacker Elysee Mbem-Bosse.

Only one player in the past 12 years, Devin Funchess in 2014, has worn the number, which became unofficially honored as being bestowed on the program's top receiver.

That began with Anthony Carter in the early 1980s and continued through Greg McMurtry, Derrick Alexander, David Terrell and finally Braylon Edwards, who had to earn it midway through his career under coach Lloyd Carr.

Funchess was given it for his junior season by then-coach Brady Hoke, but struggled through that season battling leg and foot injuries, finishing with only one touchdown in the final 10 games.

Hoke used the number as a recruiting enticement for current receiver Drake Harris, though Harris has not worn the number.

U-M has not released the official roster for the fall, so the numbers could change, but Crawford was the top-ranked receiver in this U-M class.

He made his announcement to come to U-M at the U.S. Army All-American Game in January.

Contact Mark Snyder: msnyder@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark__snyder.

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