Just the other day I read that Mario Cristobal is struggling with the possibility of retiring No. 26 at Miami in honor of Sean Taylor after the NFL team he played for (Washington) retired his No. 21 last season.

Miami does have four numbers retired – George Mira, Vinny Testaverde, Jim Dooley and Ted Hendrick. And, of course, it is the same dilemma Cristobal faces that most high-profile schools face – there are so many legendary players that if you retire all of the best you may not have enough numbers left to field a team.

This is something that Florida has avoided. The only jersey that is retired that I know of is basketball player Neal Walk’s No. 42, and even that was pulled out of the closet accidentally for a few games.

But since Florida remains stubborn on the Ring of Honor qualifications, maybe a UF could retire a few jerseys for the ceremony and feel-good moments. Dooley’s Dozen tackles 12 players I would at least consider. I’m not saying all 12 should have jerseys retired, but they should be considered (if they ever form a committee on this, I volunteer).

I can’t stand players wearing “0”, so much so that I have been in arguments online about whether it is even a number. So, after the two guys wearing it this year finish the season, let’s burn it. I’ll bring the lighter fluid.

Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

As we all know, Steve Spurrier wanted to un-retire his number when he took the head coaching job at Florida and the only other one retired was Scot Brantley’s. So, when the head ball coach calls, you acquiesce. Considering all that Scot is going through health-wise, it would be a heck of a gesture to paint No. 55 on that well. And Mike Pouncey can tell people it’s him, too.

Mike can’t go anywhere without Maurkice. But seriously, there is a legitimate argument over who was the best linemen ever at Florida. And the Pounceys may have changed the direction of Florida football when they flipped from FSU and started the recruiting train rolling.

This is the other half of that argument for the best offensive linemen ever. Don’t bring a third candidate into this fray. Lomas Brown is in the College Football Hall of Fame but deserves more from Florida. Like the Ring of Honor?

At Spurrier’s restaurant, an “11” in burned into the top bun. He got his number unretired so Ben Hanks could wear it, and the stadium is named after him and he does have a statue. But if you’re going to retire any numbers at UF, the list still starts and ends with Stevie Wonder.

Of course, Danny Wuerffel’s No. 7 is a lock. Heck, he should have a jersey retired just for all of the work he does with Desire Street. Spurrier may be the ambassador but is there a better representative of the University of Florida than Danny Boy?

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Well, someone is kind of using that number right now. But No. 15 would eventually go on that list of possible jerseys to retire. Hey, it would give Florida an excuse to make Tim Tebow come back and be showered with cheers.

Errict Rhett rushed for more yards than any human being in Florida football history. I don’t think he is appreciated enough. And the jersey I would put up on the wall would be the mud-caked one he wore against Georgia in 1993.

Foster Marshall, Jr./Florida Times-Union

Personally, I think Carlos Alvarez should have something retired just because of his academic career. This is still college football, right? Until NIL takes over, there is something noble about honoring one of the best to ever play the game and making us all proud. Except for the lunkheads that kept him out of the UF Hall of Fame for so long.

Alex Brown is Florida’s all-time sacks leader both for a season and for a career. Every year, someone is coming for his record. You could argue Wilber Marshall’s No. 88 should be considered, but too many guys have worn that number. Still, Marshall would make the list.

Remember when she wore No. 74 as a great Gator softball player? I think it was because her father was such a Jack Youngblood fan. So was I. Florida’s first NFL Hall of Famer and a part of the first-ever Ring of Honor class is on the list.

As great as Emmitt Smith was as a Florida Gator, there are too many important people who fall into the category of wearing No. 22. Mostly, I am talking about the trailblazing Willie Jackson and his two amazing sons, Willie Jr. and Terry. Plus all-American Steve Tannen. So, I would leave the nameplate blank, a tribute to them all.

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