When Ashton Jeanty stepped onto the field for the Las Vegas Raiders this past season, he didn't just bring his explosive jump-cut and brick-wall contact balance. He brought a specific piece of his identity. That number 2 on his chest? It’s not just a random digit assigned by a gear manager in a basement.
Honestly, the Ashton Jeanty jersey number has become a brand in itself. Usually, when a star running back makes the jump from the blue turf of Boise State to the glitz of Allegiant Stadium, they might look for a "traditional" NFL back number—something in the 20s or 30s. But Jeanty? He wasn't having it. He stuck with the "Deuce."
The Meaning Behind the Number 2
Why does a guy who could have basically any number he wants fight to keep a single digit? For Ashton, it’s personal. It’s rooted in his arrival into this world. He was born on December 2, 2003. He’s gone on record saying that day was when "greatness was born," and while that might sound like typical athlete swagger, his 2,601-yard junior season at Boise State kind of backs it up.
It's also a family thing. His brother wore it. His uncle wore it. In the Jeanty household, 2 is the standard. He started rocking it in 9th grade at Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas, and since then, it’s been his lucky charm.
He likes being different. Most RBs are out there looking like every other ball carrier in the 20-to-40 range. Jeanty wanted to stand out. When you're "Deuce," and you're putting up video-game numbers, people remember the number as much as the name.
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Taking it to the League: The Raiders Jersey Swap
When the Las Vegas Raiders grabbed Jeanty with the 6th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, there was one tiny problem. Kicker Daniel Carlson was already wearing number 2. Now, usually, this leads to a "jersey tax" where a rookie has to fork over a Rolex or a fat stack of cash to a veteran to get their preferred number.
Carlson had been wearing 2 since 2020, but he’d previously worn 8. In a move that made Raiders fans love the kicker even more, Carlson agreed to move back to 8, clearing the way for Jeanty to keep his collegiate identity.
Why it mattered for the Raiders
- Marketing: Jeanty’s Boise State jersey was the top-selling item at the NIL Store in 2024. People already associated him with "Deuce."
- The "Curse": Some Raiders historians were a bit twitchy about a high draft pick wearing number 2. Does the name JaMarcus Russell ring a bell? The infamous draft bust wore number 2 during his disastrous tenure in Oakland.
- New Era: By taking the number, Jeanty basically hit the "reset" button on the stigma. He's turned a number associated with failure into one associated with 100-yard games and explosive touchdowns.
Breaking Records in the Blue and Orange
You can't talk about the Ashton Jeanty jersey number without looking at the absolute carnage he caused at Boise State. In 2024, he didn't just play well; he nearly broke the sport. He finished the season with 2,601 rushing yards. That is the second-most in FBS history, trailing only the legendary Barry Sanders.
He was the Heisman runner-up, losing out to Colorado’s Travis Hunter in a race that people will be debating in bars for the next decade. He won the Maxwell Award and the Doak Walker Award. Basically, if there was a trophy for being a nightmare for defensive coordinators, he took it home.
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He had 14 consecutive games with over 100 yards. Think about that. Every single Saturday, the defense knew he was getting the ball, and they still couldn't stop him from hitting triple digits. That No. 2 jersey was usually a blur of blue and orange disappearing into the end zone.
The Financial Side of the Jersey
Being the "Deuce" is lucrative. In the current era of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) and NFL licensing, your number is your logo. Before he even left Boise, Jeanty was the second-highest-earning male athlete in the NIL space for 2024, sitting right behind Purdue’s Zach Edey.
His rookie contract with the Raiders is a monster—roughly $35.9 million over four years, fully guaranteed. That includes a signing bonus of about $22.7 million. When you have that kind of security, you can afford to be picky about the number on your back.
But it’s more than just the contract. It’s the jerseys in the stands. Walk into a sports shop in Boise or Las Vegas today, and you’re going to see a wall of No. 2 jerseys. He’s one of those rare players whose brand transitioned seamlessly from Saturday to Sunday.
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What's Next for the Deuce?
As Jeanty continues his NFL career, the expectation is that he’ll become the face of the Raiders' offense. He’s already showing that his college production wasn't a fluke. His ability to force missed tackles—he had 151 of them in his final college season—is translating well to the faster, meaner NFL defenses.
If you’re a fan looking to grab some gear, here’s the reality:
- Boise State Gear: His college jersey is a collector's item now. If you find an authentic 2024 "Heisman campaign" jersey, hold onto it.
- Raiders Gear: The black and silver No. 2 is a top seller. It’s the "new" look for a franchise that’s been searching for a consistent identity in the backfield.
- Memorabilia: Keep an eye on autographed cards. His 2024 Bowman U Chrome cards with the "MW OPY" (Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year) inscription are already fetching high prices on the secondary market.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're following Ashton Jeanty's career or looking to invest in his memorabilia, there are a few things you should do right now. First, if you're buying a jersey, make sure it's the official Nike version. The "Elite" jerseys have better stitching and hold their value significantly better than the screen-printed "Game" versions.
Second, if you're a card collector, look for his rookie "True Blue" parallels. These are highly sought after because they nod back to his days on the blue turf at Boise State.
Finally, watch the stats. If Jeanty hits the 1,000-yard mark in his first full season, the price of "Deuce" merchandise is going to skyrocket. He’s not just a player; he’s a walking highlight reel, and his number 2 is becoming one of the most recognizable sights in professional football.