KNOXVILLE — The wait is over.
Tennessee’s apparel provider switch from Adidas to Nike became official at midnight, and the Volunteers kicked things into overdrive heading into today’s launch.
The switch to the Swoosh means new uniforms for all of Tennessee’s men’s and women’s sports, and those were unveiled at noon on a live stream at UTsports.com.
The event was hosted by former Tennessee defensive back Charles Davis, now an analyst for the NFL Network, and the SEC Network’s Maria Taylor.
“I’m really excited because the players are really excited,” Vols basketball coach Rick Barnes said.
The highlight of the unveiling was the alternate smokey gray football uniform, which features a gray helmet bearing the silhouette of the Smoky Mountains. Quarterback Josh Dobbs modeled the new look after linebacker/defensive end Curt Maggitt and running back Jalen Hurd posed in the home and away uniforms.
Much like last season, there will be different combinations available between the orange and white tops and orange and white pants. The Vols are one of only a handful of Nike Elite programs. The list includes the likes of Oregon and Alabama.
There’s alternate gray jerseys for both basketball teams, too, and all of the basketball uniforms include the shadow of the Power T (men) and Lady Vols (women) logo on the back of the jersey.
The Vols are incorporating the orange-and-white checkerboard pattern into nearly all of the uniforms. Stripes on the football helmet and pants fade into the pattern, and the basketball shorts have a similar style. Uniforms for many other sports include checkerboarded outline of the state of Tennessee.
The font and numbering are more consistent across the looks for every sport as Tennessee aims to put its “One Tennessee” movement into action.
Representatives from Nike said during the unveiling that a primary goal was to get the right shade of orange across all of Tennessee’s uniforms.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.