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Ohio State Buckeyes alternate helmet concepts

Look good, feel good, play good. When Nike calls, college football's elite programs listen and Ohio State University has been one of the nation's trendsetters over the past decade when it comes to alternate uniforms.

Unafraid to buck tradition in some of their biggest games of the season, including the rivalry finale at Michigan, the Buckeyes have donned a number of interesting combinations on the grandest stages — a move that has helped on the recruiting trail, according to former coach Urban Meyer.

"It's ultimately (athletic director) Gene Smith's decision," Meyer said in an interview earlier this year. "Both of us sit (down), Nike comes to us every year, and they did this before I was even a coach, and they'd ask if we'd be interested. We'd look at the uniform. What I started to find out is recruits don't like it, they love it. So mine was strictly for recruiting.

"Someone said, 'Don't you like the tradition?' I said I love tradition, but there's one thing I like better than tradition, and that's getting a great recruit."

IU_Customs on Instagram just released a ton of new alternate helmet options across college football, from stylized white-based mocks to secondary logos with updated finishes. Here's his take on Ohio State's alternate concepts with various never-before-seen options:

(Photo: IU_Customs)

Beginning with a bang, this Ohio State alternate look with a not-so-recognizable Buckeye leaf custom logo won't likely rank among the concept faves, but it's a new twist and the green contrasts well on the silver shell. Speaking of Ohio State's iconic silver helmets, the current black, white and scarlet stripe is top-shelf and looks great placed on this option. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and we imagine these would get mixed reviews if they ever came to fruition on gameday. What do you think of this first alternate concept Buckeyes fans? We want to know.

Ohio State donned a throwback of sorts during last season's College Football Playoff appearance against Clemson, going back to its first final four outing to a classic look worn in the 2014 national title game vs. Oregon. The scarlet jerseys with gray sleeves on each side of the shoulders, with black numbers on the top were a favorite among players and fans. Per Bucknuts, "gray shoulder stripes are synonymous with the Buckeyes, who flashed the look in the 2002 BCS national championship game against Miami and throughout early part of the decade under former head coach Jim Tressel (2001-10)."

(Photo: IU_Customs)

More Brutus anyone? Ohio State's traditional scarlet and grey is a delight, but the infatuation with Nike's envelope-pushing secondary options in Columbus has kept viewers and fans guessing on gamedays in recent years against nationally-ranked opponents. That strange all-black get up in 2015 vs. Penn State reappeared in 2018 vs. Nebraska and the program has made it clear that black is one of its preferred alternate options. One of the Buckeyes' most daring alternates in the past decade was the all-gray getup which featured a wolf-fur pattern on the helmet, numerals and cleats. This look would certainly take the cake as the most far-reaching, however.

Getting new uniforms in college football approved is a bit more complicated than one may think. In the SEC for instance, the NCAA approves new sets, not the conference, and waivers must be granted in some cases during special weekends (Wounded Warrior military appreciation for instance). There are specific rules uniform designers must follow as well, such as contrasting nameplates and numbers so that they can be identifiable during television broadcasts.

(Photo: IU_Customs)

This helmet with a monochrome silver jersey and pants combination with scarlet accents would set it off in the Big Ten. The additional details of contrasting helmet stickers corresponding with the two-toned helmet fade choice is a nice touch.

(Photo: IU_Customs)

Remember the Nike Pro Combat era at Ohio State and other flagship Swoosh-sponsored programs? This white shell with chrome accents and OSU's secondary logo reminds us of that. This one is our fave of the future concepts because it looks like a helmet the Buckeyes could pull off white. Down to the finest detail, even the plastic piece that keeps the chinstrap in place is scarlet and matches the logo. This helmet is simple and sleek.

In recent years, not all of the Big Ten's alternate uniforms have been met with universal appeal. Michigan State's lime green getup was trashed last fall on social media. The new look, defined by its lime green accents, is quite daring. Featuring a sublimated neon 'STATE' wordmark across the chest with a matching primary logo on Michigan State's familiar kelly green helmets, the uniforms resemble the Seattle Seahawks' choice of atomic green.

It appears the powers that be within the Spartans football program appreciated the idea of Nike borrowing from its Michigan State basketball template and pushed the envelope on the gridiron last fall.

(Photo: IU_Customs)

Here's an interesting one-off that could be Ohio State's 'Salute to the Heroes' option one weekend during the season. One change we'd make on this helmet concept would be alternating the 'O' logo, perhaps making it bigger across the side of the helmet. The stars and stripes with scarlet accents is top-notch, though.

Ohio State first-round pick Jeff Okudah last season said uniforms definitely play a role in a player's decision coming out of high school.

"I would definitely say uniforms matter to a recruit," Okudah said. "With this day and age, social media and all that, having different uniforms is a lure for recruits. Me being in high school, I always saw the black ones [the Buckeyes] wore against Penn State [in 2015], as really cool, as something I wanted to wear. "But you have to perform well in the uniforms or it's just uniforms."

Buckeyes wideout Julian Fleming doesn't necessarily agree, however, but appreciates subtle changes in gameday apparel options.

"It's cool to be able to switch up every once in a while," Fleming told Lettermen Row last fall. "You know, it's a fresh look and that helps keep players happy."

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Source: https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/Ohio-State-Buckeyes-alternate-helmet-concepts-147692955/

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