No offense to the fine folks at Russell Athletic, but, the brand name you wear matters in college football these days, and no one wants to be caught dead in Russell Athletic.
Whereas an apparel landscape that used to feature the likes of Reebok, Umbro, Starter and, yes, Russell Athletic, has consolidated, and anyone not wearing Nike, Adidas or Under Armour is, as the kids say these days, a square.
Georgia Tech and Southern Miss were the last two FBS teams locked into their Russell Athletic uniforms, and while there was nothing actually wrong with the way either team dressed in 2017 except for the logo on their right shoulder, both have wrestled free of the aesthetic out-crowd and moved to the in-crowd.
Southern Miss has previously displayed its new Adidas uniforms, and it was Georgia Tech’s turn on Friday.
The uniforms were modeled by a famous former Jacket in WWE star Roman Reigns. Known then as Joe Anoa’i, he played defensive line for Georgia Tech from 2003-06, earning All-ACC honors his final season.
Roman Reigns debuts Georgia Tech uniform. pic.twitter.com/Ebv4OfdYaI
— Ken Sugiura (@ksugiuraajc) August 4, 2018
The new uniforms aren’t stylistically different from the old ones. The Ramblin’ Wreck will still wear white jerseys at home and on the road. The home kits have gold numerals with gold pants, and the road versions have blue numerals over white pants.
This is OUR moment to own the future and we’re #HereToCreate
— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) August 4, 2018
@adidasFballUS uniforms 🔥🔥🔥 #teamadidas pic.twitter.com/yLyI5BvCF1
Additional photos can be found here, and even the most ardent Russell Athletic fan (if they exist?) has to admit the materials here look like an obvious upgrade.