With jersey number restrictions being more lax than ever in the NFL, it is understandable that college stars want to wear the same number in the pros.
For some players, the number on their jersey is just as much a part of their brand as their own name. Some, such as Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward, have had no issue getting their number. Others, such as New York Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter, might have to forge a new identity.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty is another such player hoping to get their college number back.
Jeanty now knows what number he will be wearing with the Raiders.
The Raiders revealed the jerseys for their rookie draft class on Friday, and Jeanty will wear jersey number two, just like he did at Boise State.
It’s official ✌️ Deuces up@AshtonJeanty2 | #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/mxSZxftzcA
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) May 2, 2025
Jeanty had to claim the number from Raiders Pro Bowl kicker Daniel Carlson. As a result of the swap, Carlson has switched back to jersey number eight, which is the same one he wore during his first two seasons with the team in 2018-19.
It is likely that the two new teammates reached some sort of agreement for Jeanty to get his number back, although the terms of such a deal are still unknown.
Jeanty wore the number two for all three years of his career at Boise State. This includes his near-historic final season in 2024, when he finished second in single-season rushing yards with 2,601 (Barry Sanders ran for 2,628 yards with the Oklahoma State Cowboys in 1988). The amazing season saw Jeanty finish second in Heisman Trophy voting behind Colorado and new Jacksonville Jaguars two-way star Travis Hunter, so it makes sense that he would get his old number back.
Raiders fans are waiting in anticipation for Jeanty’s debut, hoping they can watch him dazzle on the field in Las Vegas as he did in Boise.
