After two seasons of sporting No. 90 for the Texas A&M football team, sophomore defensive lineman Nana Boadi-Owusu was awarded with the renowned No. 12 jersey on Monday, per a social media post shared by the Aggies.

Boadi-Owusu is next in line for one of the program’s most notable traditions, one that takes inspiration from A&M’s Dixie Classic matchup with No. 1 Centre College in 1922. E. King Gill, an A&M basketball player, was called upon by coach Dana X. Bible to stand ready to play due to a rash of injuries experienced by the Aggies.

Gill never appeared in the game, but his readiness to serve the team has been remembered in school lore ever since with the tradition of the 12th Man. Each season, a walk-on, or a player not on an athletic scholarship, is named the team’s 12th Man, an honor bestowed upon a player that positively embodies the values of the university and program.

Boadi-Owusu, an Arlington native that attended Martin High School, picks up where last season’s 12th Man, graduate linebacker Sam Mathews, left off. The two shared the field in A&M’s Texas Bowl loss to Oklahoma State to wrap up the 2023 campaign. Both found themselves thrust into significant playing time due to a mix of injuries, opt-outs and transfers depleting the Aggies’ roster.

“Beyond blessed and honored to be able to wear this jersey,” Boadi-Owusu said on X.

After redshirting his freshman season in 2022, Boadi-Owusu saw action in four games last year, taking the field against New Mexico, Miami, Abilene Christian and Oklahoma State. He was a part of the 12th Man Kickoff Team versus ACU, a collection of 11 walk-ons that earned the Brotherhood Impact Award at the team banquet.

Boadi-Owusu also received Aggie Defensive Scout Team Honors at the 2022 banquet.

“The tradition of the 12th man lives on,” coach Mike Elko said on X. “What an amazing young man elected to carry on the legacy.”