You’re scrolling through eBay or hitting up a vintage shop in Tallahassee, and you see it. The garnet mesh, the gold numbers, and that name on the back: Ramsey. It looks iconic. But if you’re looking to grab a jalen ramsey fsu jersey, you might realize pretty quickly that it isn't as straightforward as just picking a number and heading to the checkout.
Most people associate Jalen with the number 8. It’s the number he wore when he was terrorizing ACC quarterbacks and cementing himself as a top-five NFL draft pick. But did you know he actually won a National Championship wearing a completely different number? Or that he’s one of the few players in Florida State history allowed to "un-retire" a jersey for a night?
Buying or collecting a piece of Ramsey’s FSU legacy requires knowing which "version" of Jalen you're actually looking for.
The Three Numbers of a Legend
If you see a jalen ramsey fsu jersey with the number 13 on it, don't assume it's a mistake or a cheap knockoff. That’s actually the "Title Year" jersey. Back in 2013, when Ramsey arrived in Tallahassee, he was the first true freshman to start at cornerback for the Noles since Deion Sanders in 1985. He wore #13 during that legendary run to the BCS National Championship over Auburn.
Honestly, it’s the "OG" jersey for die-hard fans.
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Moving to the Ocho
After that 2013 season, Ramsey switched to #8. This is the jersey most fans remember. It’s the one he wore as a Consensus All-American in 2015 and the one he was wearing when he was flying around the field as a "Star" in Jimbo Fisher’s defense.
The Charlie Ward Incident
Then there’s the #17. This is the holy grail for collectors. In 2015, during a game against South Florida, Ramsey wanted to return kickoffs. However, his teammate Kermit Whitfield also wore #8. To avoid a penalty for two players wearing the same number on the field, Ramsey switched to #17.
Here’s the thing: #17 is retired at FSU. It belongs to Heisman winner Charlie Ward.
Ward actually gave Ramsey personal permission to wear the number for that game. If you ever find a legitimate FSU #17 jersey with Ramsey on the back, you’ve found a piece of weird, niche football history that most casual fans completely forget about.
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Why This Jersey Still Sells Out in 2026
You’d think after a decade in the NFL, college jerseys would fade away. Not Jalen’s. Part of it is the "NIL effect." Even though Ramsey played before players could officially get paid, modern licensing deals mean Fanatics and Nike keep his Florida State gear in rotation.
Fans love it because Ramsey represents the last "golden era" of FSU football before the program hit some rocky years. Putting on that jersey feels like a throwback to when the Noles were the most feared team in the country. Plus, Jalen’s personality—the trash-talking, the lockdown coverage, the swagger—started in Tallahassee.
It’s a vibe. Basically, it's the defensive version of wearing a Peter Warrick or a Deion Sanders jersey.
How to Spot a Fake (And Why It Matters)
If you're hunting for a jalen ramsey fsu jersey on the secondary market, you’ve gotta be careful. The market is flooded with "custom" jerseys that look like the real thing from ten feet away but feel like sandpaper when you put them on.
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- The Spear Logo: Check the Seminole head on the sleeves. On authentic Nike jerseys from the 2013-2015 era, the spear and the logo are crisp. Fakes often have "bleeding" colors where the garnet meets the gold.
- The "State" Font: FSU updated their branding right around the time Jalen was there. Authentic jerseys will have the specific "Unconquered" font. If the numbers look like generic block numbers you’d see on a high school jersey, it’s a fake.
- The Fabric: Real game-day replicas use Nike’s Dri-FIT technology. It’s light. If the jersey feels heavy or "plasticky," someone made it in a basement.
Finding Your Own Piece of History
Currently, you can find Ramsey gear at the official FSU bookstore or through major retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods. They usually stock the #8 in the classic garnet or the "Seminole Heritage" turquoise versions that have become popular lately.
If you’re looking for the #13 or the white away jersey, you’re likely headed to the resale market. Sites like eBay or Grailed are your best bet, but expect to pay a premium for anything that isn't a basic screen-print.
Practical Steps for Collectors
- Check the Tags: Look for the "Official Licensed Product" hologram.
- Know the Sizing: The Nike jerseys from the mid-2010s tend to run a bit slim. If you’re planning on wearing it over a hoodie at Doak Campbell Stadium, size up.
- Verify the Year: If a seller says it's a "2013 Jersey" but it has the #8 on it, they don't know their history. Use that to negotiate the price down.
Whether you're buying it to frame on a wall or to wear while screaming your head off in the stands, the jalen ramsey fsu jersey remains one of the most popular pieces of apparel in Tallahassee. It represents a player who wasn't just good—he was inevitable.
When you're shopping, stick to verified retailers or do your homework on the jersey numbers. Don't get stuck with a #8 jersey that's missing the ACC patch or has the wrong shade of "gold" (which often looks more like mustard on the cheap knockoffs). Get the real deal so you can represent one of the greatest defensive backs to ever lace them up for Florida State.
Actionable Next Step: Check the official Florida State Seminoles shop first to see if they have the latest Nike "Alumni" drop. These are high-quality, modern cuts of classic jerseys like Ramsey's and usually offer the best balance of price and authenticity.