The Tennessee Titans added two former No. 17s this offseason, Wan’Dale Robinson, who wore the number in New York, and first-round pick Carnell Tate, who wore it at Ohio State. With All-Pro returner Chimere Dike already having 17, there were questions about how things would pan out.
Neither recruit swiped Dike’s number. Robinson wore no. 4, and Tate, no. 14.
In an interview with Kay Adams on the Fan Duel TV show “Up & Adams,” Robinson said he never had his eye on the No. 17, but instead wanted the No. 4 to honor his late friend Rondale Moore, who died in February of a gunshot wound. Robinson and Moore, both Kentucky natives, had been friends for years.
“I didn’t want it,” Robinson said of No. 17. “I was going to want one digit, and then also my late friend, Rondale Moore, he wore No. But yeah, I was good about leaving 17 in the past.”
Robinson and Moore, Louisville-area natives who once worked out together at a facility, shared a long relationship that included both being undersized receivers who propelled their careers to the NFL.
In four seasons as New York’s No. 17 pick, Robinson worked his way up the ladder from injury-riddled rookie to top target, enjoying his first 1,000-yard campaign in 2025. He transferred to Tennessee, joining offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, to provide Cam Ward with a slot weapon. He will do so wearing no. 4 to honor his friend.