Every year, stores across the country sell numbered collegiate jerseys. They don't put players names on the back partly because the NCAA can then say that it's not specifically for that player and they can get away with not paying them for the use of their rights.
The bottom line, however, is that jersey numbers of the best players, not random numbers, are the ones that sell. Here's the AP top 25 and the players whose jerseys will be made. Please note, in some cases, the apparel company might be making the number of a player who is no longer with the team and doesn't signify the player who is currently on the roster. For example, Nike is still making #15 jerseys for Florida (Tim Tebow). There is no player with that number on the current roster. One more qualifier is that teams often have the number 1 made just to be safe. So it's hard to determine if that number is being made for a player or for just the number.
Two more quick notes: You have to wonder how many jerseys were made of Iowa's Brandon Wegher, who quit the team, and UNC's Marvin Austin, who has been suspended indefinitely. And how about Penn State, who gave in quarterback favorite Kevin Newsome's number, while jerseys have not been ordered for true freshman Robert Bolden (#1), who will at least start the first game.
1. Alabama -- (Nike): Julio Jones (#8), Greg McElroy (#12), Mark Ingram (#22)
2. Ohio State -- (Nike): Dan Herron (#1), Terrelle Pryor (#2), Brandon Saine (#3), DeVier Posey (#8), Dane Sanzenbacher (#12), Brian Rolle (#36), Michael Brewster (#50), Ross Homan (#51), Cameron Heyward (#97)
3. Boise State -- (Nike): Titus Young (#1), Austin Pettis (#2), Kellen Moore (#11), Brandyn Thompson (#13)
4. Florida -- (Nike): Janoris Jenkins (#1)
5. Texas (Nike): Garrett Gilbert (#7), Chykie Brown (#8), Sam Acho (#81)
6. TCU (Nike): Andy Dalton (#14), Jeremy Kerley (#85)
7. Oklahoma (Nike): DeMarco Murray (#7), Landry Jones (#12), Dejuan Miller (#24), Travis Lewis (#28), Ryan Broyles (#85)
8. Nebraska (adidas): Zac Lee (#5), Niles Paul (#24), Jared Crick (#94)
9. Iowa (Nike): Brandon Wegher (#3), Marvin McNutt (#7), Tyler Sash (#9), Ricky Stanzi (#12), Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (#15), Adrian Clayborn (#94)
10. Virginia Tech (Nike): Tyrod Taylor (#5), Dyrell Roberts (#11), Jayron Hosley (#20), Darren Evans (#32), Ryan Williams (#34)
11. Oregon (Nike): Darron Thomas (#1), Jeff Maehl (#23), Kenjon Barner (#24)
12. Wisconsin (adidas): Scott Tolzien (#16), John Clay (#32), David Gilreath (#85)
13. Miami (Nike): Jacory Harris (#12), Allen Bailey (#57), Leonard Hankerson (#85)
14. USC (Nike): Matt Barkley (#7), Allen Bradford (#21)
15. Pittsburgh (Nike): Dion Lewis (#28), Jon Baldwin (#82)
16. Georgia Tech (Russell): Joshua Nesbitt (#9)
17. Arkansas -- (Nike): Jarius Wright (#4), Ryan Mallett (#15), Ronnie Wingo Jr. (#20), D.J. Williams (#45), Greg Childs (#85)
18. North Carolina -- (Nike): Greg Little (#8), Marvin Austin (#9), Robert Quinn (#42), Quan Sturdivant (#52)
19. Penn State -- (Nike): Derek Moye (#6), Kevin Newsome (#12), Stephfon Green (#21), Evan Royster (#22), Jack Crawford (#81)
20. Florida State -- (Nike): Greg Reid (#5), Christian Ponder (#7), Nigel Bradham (#13)
21. LSU -- (Nike): Rueben Randle (#2), Patrick Peterson (#7)
22. Auburn (Under Armour): Cameron Newton (#2), Josh Bynes (#17), Kodi Burns (#18)
23. Georgia (Nike): A.J. Green (#8)
24. Oregon State (Nike): Jacquizz Rodgers (#1), James Rodgers (#8)
25. West Virginia (Nike): Tavon Austin (#1), Noel Devine (#7), Jock Sanders (#9), Geno Smith (#12)
