He was the first true freshman to start at cornerback for Florida State since Deion Sanders back in 1985. Think about that for a second. In a program that basically prints NFL defensive backs like a mint, Jalen Ramsey was the one kid who walked onto the field in 2013 and made everyone forget they were looking at a teenager. If you own a Jalen Ramsey Florida State jersey, you aren’t just wearing a piece of polyester. You’re wearing the era where FSU swagger returned to the mountaintop.
Honestly, the jersey itself is a bit of a riddle because Ramsey didn't stick to just one look. He was a chameleon. Most people associate him with the number 8, but the story of how he got there—and the other numbers he wore—is what makes his gear so collectible for Noles fans today.
The Number 13: The Championship Rookie
When Ramsey first touched down in Tallahassee, he wasn't "Eight." He was wearing number 13. It feels weird to picture now, right? He wore 13 during that legendary 2013 season where FSU absolutely steamrolled everyone on their way to a BCS National Championship.
He was raw. He was violent. He was exactly what Jimbo Fisher needed in that secondary. While Jameis Winston was busy becoming a Heisman legend on offense, Ramsey was the defensive heartbeat. If you find a number 13 Florida State jersey with "Ramsey" on the back, you’ve basically found a time capsule from the last year of the BCS era. Most casual fans won't even realize it’s a Ramsey jersey, which kinda makes it the ultimate "if you know, you know" piece of memorabilia.
Why Everyone Wants the Number 8 Jersey
After that freshman year, Jalen switched to the number 8. That's the one. That’s the jersey you see at every home game in Doak Campbell Stadium even now, years after he left for the Jaguars and eventually the Rams, Dolphins, and Steelers.
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Why the change? Well, he wanted to cement his own legacy. By the time he was a sophomore in 2014, he wasn't just a "good freshman" anymore. He was a Consensus All-American. He was a Thorpe Award semifinalist. He was a guy who could play safety, corner, and nickel without breaking a sweat.
The number 8 Jalen Ramsey Florida State jersey represents the peak of his college dominance. It’s the jersey he wore when he logged 80 tackles and 12 pass breakups in a single season. It's the jersey he wore while literally jumping over people—don't forget he was an ACC Long Jump champion too. He was a freak athlete who just happened to be wearing garnet and gold.
The Mystery of Number 17
Okay, here is a deep cut for the real FSU nerds. During his junior year, Jalen actually wore number 17 specifically for kick returns.
This was a massive deal at the time. Why? Because number 17 was retired in honor of Charlie Ward. You don't just "pick" 17 at Florida State. You have to ask permission from the King himself. Ward gave Jalen the green light to wear it for special teams, which tells you everything you need to know about how much respect the FSU legends had for his game.
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Finding an authentic 17 jersey with Ramsey’s name is nearly impossible. It’s the "holy grail" for collectors. Most fans just stick to the 8, but the 17 is the secret handshake of the FSU faithful.
Authentic vs. Replica: What to Look For
If you’re out there looking to buy a Jalen Ramsey Florida State jersey today, you’ve got to be careful. The market is flooded with knockoffs.
- The Nike Era: During Ramsey's tenure (2013-2015), FSU was firmly in the Nike camp. Look for the "Swoosh" on the left chest.
- The Collar Detail: Authentic jerseys from that 2014-2015 era featured the updated tribal pattern on the collar and sleeve caps.
- Stitching: Real "Limited" or "Elite" jerseys have stitched numbers and names. If it’s screen-printed, it’s a "Game" jersey, which is cheaper but less durable.
Most modern retailers like Fanatics or the official FSU shop sell "Alumni" jerseys. These are usually the number 8 in the current FSU uniform style. While they look sharp, they aren't technically "period-accurate" to what he wore in 2015. For that, you have to hit eBay or vintage sports shops.
Why His Jersey Still Sells in 2026
It is 2026. Jalen Ramsey has been in the NFL for a decade. He’s a Super Bowl champ and an 8-time Pro Bowler. Yet, the FSU jersey remains a top seller.
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It’s about the swagger. Ramsey brought a specific kind of "Old School FSU" energy back to the program. He talked trash, he backed it up, and he played with a level of intensity that made every Saturday feel like a heavyweight fight. People don't just buy the jersey because he was good; they buy it because he was him.
When you see a kid wearing that number 8 today, they probably weren't even old enough to remember the 2013 title run. But they know the highlights. They’ve seen the clips of him erasing wide receivers from existence.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you are looking to add a piece of Jalen Ramsey history to your closet, here is how you should handle it:
- Decide on the Number: Go with 13 if you want to celebrate the National Championship, 8 if you want the classic All-American look, or 17 if you want to be the most unique person in the stadium.
- Verify the Brand: Stick to Nike for authenticity. Any other brand is likely a generic "custom" jersey that won't hold its value.
- Check the "NIL" Status: Since Ramsey played before the NIL era, his name-and-number jerseys were originally sold as "customs" or later as "alumni" gear. Make sure the font matches the 2014 FSU rebrand if you want it to look authentic.
- Displaying the Piece: If you manage to get a signed version, don't wear it. The ink on those Nike jerseys can bleed over time. Frame it with a photo of him in the long jump—it highlights just how insane of an athlete he really was.
Jalen Ramsey didn't just play for Florida State; he defined a specific era of Seminole football. Wearing his jersey is a way to keep that "Lockdown" mentality alive. Whether he's in Pittsburgh, Miami, or LA, he’ll always be a Nole first.
Next Steps for Your Collection
Check out the official FSU Alumni shop to see if they've restocked the "Legacy" series jerseys, which often feature Ramsey’s number 8 with modern moisture-wicking tech. If you're hunting for a game-worn or period-correct 2014 jersey, set up a saved search on secondary markets for "Nike FSU Jalen Ramsey Authentic" to catch listings before they're gone.