iStockphoto / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect / Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports / Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
College football teams with new uniforms after brand swaps.
Apparel brands play a significant role in college football in regard to both recruiting and operations. Not only do these companies provide revenue streams for athletic departments and an ability to showcase schools through major marketing campaigns, but they also have an impact on the players repping the jerseys on the field.
Brands matter. They produce excitement for the team and fanbase. As a result, we see new concepts developed each and every year. Unique designs are rolled out season after season. Some do it better than others.
Oregon, for example, is known for its creativity. Aided by Nike founder and alum Phil Knight, they’ve been at the forefront of the push for some time.
While it may not hold as much weight as NIL or playing time, branding is important to players and their supporters. Everyone wants to look good!
Those that fail receive backlash. That negative attention isn’t nothing. There can be an adverse effect. With that in mind, every school seeks the best possible opportunity to boost its product. A handful of schools made a switch in apparel this offseason. Their new looks were unveiled ahead of the college football season.
7 Schools Switched Brands – Here Are Their New College Football Uniforms.
When contracts end, negotiations begin. Seven teams will rock new looks after dropping their previous brands for something fresh. There may be a few missing, which I’ll try to add throughout the offseason as more uniform combos drop.
Four notable schools hail from the Power 4 level. Two are Group of 6 member. One competes in the FCS. Apparel partners include Adidas, Nike, and Under Armour. Here’s what they’ll look like in 2026.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech made the move from Adidas to Under Armour this summer. Their previous deal with Adidas was signed in 2018 and provided $3.11 million annually. An extension was signed in 2024.
That deal expired this year. The Yellow Jackets shopped their product around. They came to an agreement with Under Armour that will span 10 years.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the new contract is worth six-times what was made with Adidas. It’s estimated that the payout will be $186 million across the next decade.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Under Armour, an organization that shares our commitment to excellence, innovation, amplifying the Georgia Tech brand across the globe and enhancing the student-athlete experience, including through innovative NIL opportunities,” said GT vice president and AD Ryan Alpert.
A new era is officially underway in Atlanta.
New Mexico State Aggies
The Aggies made the switch from Under Armour to Adidas this offseason, inking a five-year deal with the brand that took effect on July 1, 2026.
The previous contract ran from 2021-26 and had the option for a two-year extension. New Mexico State opted against re-signing and shopped around. It landed with Adidas and will rock new uniforms in the coming season.
“We are excited to team up with Adidas and Game One as this collaboration will elevate our athletics department and sport programs,” said NM State Director of Athletics Joe Fields. “Even more exciting are the opportunities it creates for our campus and community while expanding Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities for our student-athletes. We can’t wait to collaborate and utilize the full reach of this relationship.”
Fans will get to see those uniforms in primetime on the first weekend of the college football season. New Mexico State faces Florida State in Week 0 with hopes of pulling an upset.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State had been a Nike affiliate for more than three decades. Next year, the team will don Adidas uniforms. It’s a major win for the apparel company, who’s now locked in one of the sport’s top schools for the next 10 years.
The Nittany Lions have one of the most recognizable brands in college football. Adidas kept that in mind in the jersey design. Few changes were made to the traditional look. They paid handsomely to secure the university’s business.
The new deal is reportedly worth $300 million to span through 2036.
“I couldn’t be more excited to officially welcome Adidas to the Penn State family,” said VP for Intercollegiate Athletics Pat Kraft. “It’s a bold statement about the future of Penn State athletics and our unwavering commitment to competing at the highest level. This partnership represents a landmark investment in Penn State athletics, one that will create new opportunities for our student-athletes and strengthen every program.”
The Nittany Lions will rep their new uniforms when they open the 2026 college football season.
Rice Owls
Rice hasn’t publicly revealed its new college football uniform combinations, but the school did drop a promo to build the hype. An unveiling should be in the works.
The Owls will wear Nike apparel in the 2026 season, an announcement that was made last year. A seven-year deal was agreed upon in August. That represents a shift from previous affiliate Adidas.
“After a careful examination of the presentations from a number of the top apparel brands, it was apparent that partnering with Nike, along with Game One was the right decision for the Owls,” McClelland said. “The power of the Nike brand is unmatched, and outfitting our men and women in their apparel is another step in our mission to provide a best-in-class experience for our student-athletes.”
Rice is set to debut their new fits when it opens the season against Houston Christian on September 5th.
South Carolina Gamecocks
The Gamecocks had been with Under Armour since 2007. After nearly two decades, the partnership ended this offseason. South Carolina will don Nike apparel moving forward.
The school announced a 10-year deal with the brand this year. It dropped the new uniform designs this week. Not much has changed in terms of concept, but the colors are slightly different.
“Today is the official start of a new era for Gamecock Nation,” said Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati, “one that is fueled by tradition, momentum, and one of the most passionate fan bases in college sports. This partnership marks more than a change in apparel. It represents a shared vision for excellence, competition, and the continued elevation of the South Carolina Athletics brand.”
The Gamecocks begin their 2026 college football season against Kent State in early September. They’ll rock the swoosh for the first time when they take the field.
South Dakota Coyotes
South Dakota moved on from Adidas after the 2025-26 season. It will rep Nike next year. An announcement was made last September noting the shift. New uniforms were released this week.
The Coyotes’ deal will run for the next 10 years.
“We are thrilled to enter into this partnership with NIKE and BSN! From the very beginning of our discussions, it was evident that we shared a common vision. This collaboration between NIKE and the University of South Dakota will further strengthen our brand,” said Athletic Director Jon Schemmel. “I’m most excited for what this means for our student-athletes and Coyote Nation who both stand to benefit tremendously from a new level of engagement through our service partnership with BSN.”
South Dakota is the lone FCS member on this list. They’ll enter next season with the most popular athletic apparel brand in the world.
Tennessee Volunteers
The Vols have not yet revealed their new uniforms for the 2026 season, but they plan to next week. Not much is expected to change. Tennessee has a classic look. Why change what’s not broken?
The school announced a move from Nike to Adidas a few months back. It represents a return to the brand after a 10-year break. Tennessee will have NIL money earmarked in its new partnership, much like previously mentioned Penn State.
“Our mission is to build the premier athletics department in the country and to lead the way in college sports. Partnering with adidas is an ideal fit, as their mission is to be the best sports brand in the world,” said University of Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White. “This partnership provides us with a significant advantage in the ever-evolving landscape of college sports.”
The Vols show off the new uniforms when they take the field in September vs. Furman.