Eastern Michigan Athletics
Oran Singleton Selected to Wear 'The Deuce' in 2024
8/22/2024 6:42:00 PM | Football
Wide receiver will don the special jersey as Eastern prepares for its season opener
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — There are numerous reasons for a player wanting to wear a certain number. The number might be 'lucky'. It may have been worn at every level of competition in his career. Or it might hold a special significance that many might not know. Whatever the reason to request certain numbers, each selection is as unique as the player making the request.
For the Eastern Michigan University football program, there is one number that holds an even more special meaning. It is 'The Deuce'. Make no mistake: this jersey is special. It cannot be selected by a player through conventional means, such as requesting it through the equipment staff. Rather, the selection is made by a player through his actions on the field and off. He earns 'The Deuce' by demonstrating he possesses the integrity, character, and selflessness of EMU's football student-athletes and representatives strive to build within themselves.
For Eastern football, 'The Deuce', must be earned in remembrance of wide receiver Demarius Reed, who passed away on Oct. 18, 2013. Put back into circulation in 2017 with the blessing of Reed's family and former teammates, his number once again graces the field at Rynearson Stadium on the back of the squad's best senior pass catcher.
In a team meeting, held Thursday, Aug. 22, inside the team room of the Incarnati Athletic Center at the north end of Rynearson Stadium, Head Coach Chris Creighton announced Oran Singleton (Clewiston, Fla./Clewiston/Akron/Hutchinson CC), better known as 'Man Man' to his teammates, had earned the honor to wear the jersey emblazoned with the No. 2. Singleton, who entered camp wearing No. 24, is following the same path as last year's top receiver, Tanner Knue, who also previously wore No. 24 before earning 'The Deuce'. Knue is currently battling for a roster spot with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A selection to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-MAC Second Team Specialists, Singleton comes to Ypsilanti after playing for Hutchinson Community College where he led the team in receptions and was second in yards. He also tallied seven touchdown grabs, which ranked second on his team, with one score in seven different contest.
Singleton is no stranger to the Mid-American Conference as he played one season at the University of Akron (2021) where he appeared in nine games. A versatile player, he tallied 11 catches for 112 yards and one score while accumulating 106 yards on seven kick returns (five kick offs and two punts).
Affectionately known as 'D. Reed' by his teammates, Reed was a natural-born leader that made friends easily. He excelled both athletically and academically throughout his life, and quickly became a leader both on and off the field at EMU. Known as the "locker room joker", Reed impacted everyone he met.
"When former teammates and Demarius' father both thought that this new tradition was a great way to honor his memory, we knew we got it right," added Creighton. "I truly believe that wearing 'The Deuce' will forever be a special honor in this program."
EMU has continued to recognize Reed's influence on the football program since his passing. His jersey is buried at midfield under the Block E logo inside Rynearson Stadium, while a plaque now memorializes his accomplishments inside the locker room at the Incarnati Athletic Center.
In 2017, former Tampa Bay Buccaneer wide receiver Sergio Bailey II wore the 'The Deuce' before former walk-on Blake Banham earned the honor in 2018. Clinton, Mich., native Mathew Sexton donned the jersey in 2019, before tight ends Thomas Odukoya and Bryson Cannon sported the number in 2020 and 2021, respectively, and Hassan Beydoun was selected for 2022.
Singleton and the Eagles are just over one week away from opening the 2024 season when Eastern travel to Amherst, Mass., to take on the Minutemen of the University of Massachusetts, Saturday, Aug. 31. The opening game of the 133rd varsity season of EMU football will kick off at 3:30 p.m. and will air live on ESPN+. Additionally, the game can be heard live on WEMU (89.1 FM) and The Varsity Network app with Tom Helmer and Rob Rubick, bringing fans all the action.
For the Eastern Michigan University football program, there is one number that holds an even more special meaning. It is 'The Deuce'. Make no mistake: this jersey is special. It cannot be selected by a player through conventional means, such as requesting it through the equipment staff. Rather, the selection is made by a player through his actions on the field and off. He earns 'The Deuce' by demonstrating he possesses the integrity, character, and selflessness of EMU's football student-athletes and representatives strive to build within themselves.
For Eastern football, 'The Deuce', must be earned in remembrance of wide receiver Demarius Reed, who passed away on Oct. 18, 2013. Put back into circulation in 2017 with the blessing of Reed's family and former teammates, his number once again graces the field at Rynearson Stadium on the back of the squad's best senior pass catcher.
In a team meeting, held Thursday, Aug. 22, inside the team room of the Incarnati Athletic Center at the north end of Rynearson Stadium, Head Coach Chris Creighton announced Oran Singleton (Clewiston, Fla./Clewiston/Akron/Hutchinson CC), better known as 'Man Man' to his teammates, had earned the honor to wear the jersey emblazoned with the No. 2. Singleton, who entered camp wearing No. 24, is following the same path as last year's top receiver, Tanner Knue, who also previously wore No. 24 before earning 'The Deuce'. Knue is currently battling for a roster spot with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A selection to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-MAC Second Team Specialists, Singleton comes to Ypsilanti after playing for Hutchinson Community College where he led the team in receptions and was second in yards. He also tallied seven touchdown grabs, which ranked second on his team, with one score in seven different contest.
Singleton is no stranger to the Mid-American Conference as he played one season at the University of Akron (2021) where he appeared in nine games. A versatile player, he tallied 11 catches for 112 yards and one score while accumulating 106 yards on seven kick returns (five kick offs and two punts).
Affectionately known as 'D. Reed' by his teammates, Reed was a natural-born leader that made friends easily. He excelled both athletically and academically throughout his life, and quickly became a leader both on and off the field at EMU. Known as the "locker room joker", Reed impacted everyone he met.
"When former teammates and Demarius' father both thought that this new tradition was a great way to honor his memory, we knew we got it right," added Creighton. "I truly believe that wearing 'The Deuce' will forever be a special honor in this program."
EMU has continued to recognize Reed's influence on the football program since his passing. His jersey is buried at midfield under the Block E logo inside Rynearson Stadium, while a plaque now memorializes his accomplishments inside the locker room at the Incarnati Athletic Center.
In 2017, former Tampa Bay Buccaneer wide receiver Sergio Bailey II wore the 'The Deuce' before former walk-on Blake Banham earned the honor in 2018. Clinton, Mich., native Mathew Sexton donned the jersey in 2019, before tight ends Thomas Odukoya and Bryson Cannon sported the number in 2020 and 2021, respectively, and Hassan Beydoun was selected for 2022.
Singleton and the Eagles are just over one week away from opening the 2024 season when Eastern travel to Amherst, Mass., to take on the Minutemen of the University of Massachusetts, Saturday, Aug. 31. The opening game of the 133rd varsity season of EMU football will kick off at 3:30 p.m. and will air live on ESPN+. Additionally, the game can be heard live on WEMU (89.1 FM) and The Varsity Network app with Tom Helmer and Rob Rubick, bringing fans all the action.
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