Confidence is key to success of FSU Seminoles cornerback Jalen Ramsey
Jalen Ramsey never has been short on confidence.
Or ego.
So when the Florida State defensive back/track All-American was snubbed in the ACC Male Athlete of the Year voting in June, he took his rant to Twitter.
“Hahaha that’s seriously a joke not winning ACC male athlete of the year. I really want to know how they did the voting. Somebody explain plz”
Followed by …
“All American in 2 sports (football and track), most versatile DB in the Nation, ACC long jump champion indoor and outdoor… Wow”
Ramsey, a junior cornerback, did not agree with Duke offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson winning the award. In fact, Ramsey wasn’t even runner-up with that spot going to Notre Dame All-American basketball player Jerian Grant. Ramsey placed third.
Ramsey, though, may have a point. Tomlinson and Grant were first-team All-Americans. Tomlinson was taken 28th overall in the NFL draft, Grant 19th in the NBA draft.
However, neither achieved greatness in two sports. While Ramsey garnered several first-time All-America honors in football last season, he was an All-American long jumper after a fourth-place finish in the outdoor championships. Ramsey also won the ACC long jump titles at the outdoor and indoor championships and ran the lead-off leg for FSU’s ACC outdoor championship 4-by-100 relay team.
“He’s a very special athlete,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. “I think he goes above and beyond his athletic ability because he’s such a great competitor.”
And Ramsey fuels himself with trash talk and, of course, confidence.
Ramsey was asked whether he feels like he’s the best player in the country.
“Most definitely,” he said. “I feel like no one has the résumé I have since I’ve been in college. I feel like no one can literally compare to what I’ve done in college; on the football field, track. Just all around, I’m the best athlete in college football.”
Ramsey, predictably, is not shy about sharing his opinions to anyone on the field, whether it’s a teammate or an opponent.
Ramsey said nothing is off limits when talking smack. As for players getting back in his face?
“I love it when they say stuff back, that gets me on my game,” he said. “Once they are talking back, and they slowly not talk back, that lets me know I got them.”
Ramsey, from Smyrna, Tennessee, has started every game since he switched his commitment from USC to FSU on signing day 2013. He has excelled at three positions — cornerback, free safety and star (hybrid safety/linebacker) — before returning to corner this season. Now, Ramsey will be counted on to shut down the opponents’ top receiver.
CBS Sports has Ramsey No. 1 at his position and the second-best player overall.
“Corners kind of dictate what you can do from a scheme standpoint everywhere,” FSU defensive coordinator Charles Kelly said. “Him playing the boundary corner, when you have a really good player at that position you can do a lot of things.”
This story was originally published September 1, 2015 at 11:16 PM with the headline "Confidence is key to success of FSU Seminoles cornerback Jalen Ramsey."