When it comes to College Football Uniforms, I try my best have an appreciation for a school's history, as well as the aesthetic appeal of each jersey. In my opinion, Ohio State has the best standard uniforms in the country, but the ability to be versatile and have interesting alternate looks is a fun way to keep things fresh.
I know a lot of traditionalists will say that any jersey outside of the standard home and away looks is a mistake, but there is no denying that Ohio State rarely ever gets it wrong in the uniform department. Over the last 15 years we have seen numerous combinations of helmets, jerseys, and pants from the Buckeyes, and today we are going to break down what the best looks have been for the Buckeyes out of all of these options.
#5 - Land of Wolves (Gray)
Making its lone appearance in the 2017 matchup against Penn State, which saw the Buckeyes make and incredible 39-38 comeback, despite being down multiple scores for most of the game. This uniform is extremely unique, as it is the only completely gray uniform worn in school history, but to me, the helmet sets it apart from those that didn't make the list. The chrome buckeye leaf decals are sharp, and the dark helmet almost has an arctic camp twist to it. I doubt we will see this combination again, and the circumstances of the game in which it was worn definitely help it's legacy.
#4 - Land of Wolves (White)
The all white counterpart to it's previously ranked brother made it's lone appearance in the 2017 edition of "The Game" which saw JT Barrett go down with a knee injury, and Redshirt Freshman Dwayne Haskins carried the Buckeyes to a 31-20 victory over Michigan. Sporting the same helmet as the Gray version, the white combination offers a cleaner look at the Land of Wolves design. We haven't seen either of these since the 2017 season, but I think most Buckeye fans wouldn't mind seeing them again sometime soon.
#3 - 1968 Nike Diamond Quest
This version made its initial debut against Oregon in the CFP Championship Game, where the Buckeyes steamrolled the Ducks en route to a 42-20 victory and a National Championship. Since then, it has been worn 4 different times, most recently being a 29-23 loss to Clemson in the 2019 CFP Semifinal. The emphasis of the thick gray sleeves on the side offers a look into what the Home jerseys should look like all the time. If these jerseys had white numbers on the shoulders instead of black ones, they would possibly be at the #1 spot on this list.
#2 - Blackout
Making its debut against Penn State in 2015, the Blackout jerseys are the alternates that probably received the most hype before being unveiled. Everyone had always talked about the possibility for an all black Ohio State uniform, and I have to admit that when I saw them, it was love at first sight. The helmets with the red Buckeye leaves were amazing, and seeing The Shoe blacked out to go with it made it even better. The most recent Blackout in Columbus was in 2022 when the Buckeyes beat Wisconsin 52-21, and it is quickly becoming a fan favorite tradition. With todays announcement of Michigan State playing in Columbus on November 11th @ 7:30 P.M. look for that game to be the next Blackout in The Shoe.
#1 - Throwback Nike Diamond Quest
When it comes to Ohio State, these jerseys are absolutely perfection in my eyes. The perfect combination of Scarlet and Gray. The fact that these are not the permanent away jerseys should be considered a crime against humanity. They made their debut against Alabama in the 2015 Sugar Bowl which saw the Buckeyes stun the Crimson Tide 42-35 on their way to winning a CFP Title. Since then, it has been worn 7 times, and Ohio State has a 5-3 overall record in these uniforms. I have been tweeting at Ryan Day and Gene Smith for years to make these permanent, but unfortunately have yet to make any impact. However, I will not give up until the move is finally made.