Tennessee takes risk on new Smokey grey uniforms that is guaranteed to be misunderstood
The Vols have unveiled the 2026 version of their popular alternate uniforms.
The Tennessee Vols have rolled out the newest version of the (mostly) popular Smokey grey look that the program has worn for the previous four seasons.
And this time, it will have a look that will likely leave a number of fans — both from Tennessee and around the country — scratching their heads a bit.
Their first permutation since switching back from Nike to Adidas is set to be a nod to the legacy of legendary former Tennessee coach General Robert Neyland. The university rolled out a release video on Thursday morning revealing the full uniform.
However, for the first time, the Smokey grey uniforms will not have the Power T on the helmet.
New Smokey grey uniforms do not have the Tennessee Power T on the helmets for the first time
Instead, the program will have crossing orange stripes, apparently meant to represent or imitate the leather helmet look from the 1938 national championship team. The university explained the reason for the helmets in its press release.
“Evoking the leather helmets worn by the Vols from the program’s inception to 1949, the cross pattern and stitching details are pulled from the 1938 national championship helmet. That year the Vols held opponents to a combined 16 points over an 11-game season, including eight shutouts en route to the program’s first national title. A bold star appears on the back of the helmet, a nod to Neyland’s status as a Brigadier General. Neyland’s signature appears on the back bumper, and a stenciled ‘UT,’ like those worn on Neyland-era practice gear, appears on the front.”
In the social media post, the school adds the following about the helmet:
“A callback to Tennessee’s earlier days on the gridiron, this leather-style helmet also features a star on the back for Neyland’s rank as Brigadier General. His signature and a stenciled ‘UT’ complete the bumpers.”
It might be a bit confusing to those who do not have that explanation before first turning on their television on Oct. 3, as the crossing orange lines do not themselves represent the look of a leather helmet.
Also, given how Tennessee has incorporated the modern day look of the Power T with the other aspects of the theme of that particular year, it was a reasonsable blend of the Vols’ modern (and unmistakable) look with a twist.
In any event, as long as Tennessee takes care of business against Alex Golesh and the Tigers inside of Neyland, Vol fans likely won’t mind the tweak too much.
