College football 2026 uniform roundup: New looks for Georgia Tech, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State and more

College football’s 2026 season will bring more than a dozen updated uniforms, alternate combinations and full redesigns, with programs ranging from traditional powers to Group of Five schools rolling out fresh looks. The changes, supplied by Nike, Adidas and Under Armour, range from subtle font tweaks to complete overhauls.

Wisconsin Athletics’ announcement of its own update was one of several that surfaced this summer, but the most talked-about moves involve Georgia Tech’s switch to Under Armour, Nebraska’s polarizing Adidas redesign, Notre Dame’s Shamrock Series set and Ohio State’s expanded monochromatic options.

Georgia Tech’s 12-combination Under Armour debut

Georgia Tech became one of four programs to start a new apparel partnership on July 1, moving from Adidas to Under Armour in a deal that will produce a reported 12 possible uniform combinations. The Yellow Jackets now have white, gold, navy and a dark anthracite color in their rotation.

The team’s shoulder striping is inspired by the Kessler Campanile, a prominent campus landmark, according to the school. Shadow-boxed numerals on several jerseys are trimmed in metallic gold with a secondary navy outline. The uniforms are part of Under Armour’s ARMR 037 line, which other schools will also wear this fall.

Nebraska’s Adidas redesign draws mixed reactions

Nebraska’s updated throwback look from Adidas generated criticism after the Huskers moved their traditional shoulder stripes to a stylized position atop the shoulders. The custom number font, described by the school as inspired by the “sharp edge of steel anvil and the agricultural crop rows of Nebraska,” replaces the block font used since 1968. Pants now feature slanted stripes from mid-thigh to knee instead of full piping.

The “N” logo remains on the hip, but the familiar “Nebraska Football/A Winning Tradition” shoulder patch is gone. The phrase now appears inside the collar, visible only to players. Nebraska has partnered with Adidas since 1995.

New Mexico State goes black with Adidas

As part of a five-year Adidas deal, New Mexico State has released a black uniform with a white helmet featuring a cursive wordmark in school colors. The Aggies wore black jerseys twice during the 2025 season, but fans are asking whether the maroon primary set has been abandoned. The “NM STATE” wordmark now lacks an outline, a departure from previous iterations.

Northwestern’s ‘Purple Gothics’ alternate

Northwestern’s new alternate, called the “Purple Gothics,” features a deep purple hue that resembles the Baltimore Ravens’ color. The monochromatic look includes gothic-style stripes on the shoulders and pants, metallic gold numerals and a purple helmet with silver flakes. The metallic gold “N” decal completes the set. The Wildcats are aiming for a polarizing design that can generate buzz for a program seeking national relevance.

Notre Dame’s Shamrock Series at Lambeau Field

Notre Dame will wear an all-navy Shamrock Series uniform for its opener against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. The color pays homage to deep blue jerseys worn by the Acme Packers in the 1920s. Gold stripes on the sleeves are intended to honor the Green Bay Packers, according to the school. Eleven shamrocks along the neckline represent Notre Dame’s 11 consensus national championships. An American flag patch on the front commemorates the nation’s 250th anniversary. Block numerals are inspired by Heisman winner Paul Hornung, who later became a Packers star. Under Armour said it will not replicate this template with any other school this season.

Ohio State’s monochromatic options

Ohio State will add three monochromatic looks to its gameday rotation: “Scarlet Rush,” “Sub Zero” and “Tunnel Vision.” The core home set remains scarlet and gray, but a red helmet with silver facemask is now an option, as is an all-black set with a black helmet. The “Sub Zero” option features white pants with scarlet and black piping. The Buckeyes’ primary away uniform remains white jersey and gray pants, but the alternates add flavor for marquee Big Ten matchups.

Penn State’s minimal change after Adidas move

When Penn State moved from Nike to Adidas, fans worried the Nittany Lions would receive a redesign similar to Nebraska’s. Instead, the updates were minimal: the iconic white jersey with blue numerals and plain blue pants remain largely unchanged. Adidas preserved the classic look, which has been a point of pride for the program.

Key facts

Why this matters for college football fans

Uniform updates are a recurring off-season story that affects recruiting, merchandise sales and fan engagement. For schools like Georgia Tech and Nebraska, the changes signal a new branding direction. For traditional powers like Notre Dame and Ohio State, the alternates provide a fresh look for high-profile games without altering the core identity. The 2026 cycle shows that even programs with iconic uniforms are willing to experiment, while others are carefully guarding their classic designs.

Source: CBS Sports – “College football’s best uniform changes for 2026 season: New helmets, alternates and throwbacks to know” (https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-uniform-changes-2026-alternates-throwbacks-ohio-state-notre-dame-penn-state/)