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Ohio State’s silver shell with scarlet and black stripes is one of longest-running helmets still being used today dating back to 1968, the same season legendary coach Woody Hayes began handing out “Buckeye Leaf” stickers to his players.
Given to players after impact plays and wins, the white and green decals have stayed on the silver shells since, giving Ohio State one of the most recognizable looks in all of college football.
Over the last four decades, the Buckeyes have worn scarlet tops with silver pants at home and a white jersey-silver pants combo on the road. Jerseys and pants have remained relatively similar, but black has been featured more prominently in recent years. Ohio State’s scarlet tops include white and black stripes along the sleeves and an “OHIO STATE” wordmark across the crest.
Since 2009, the Buckeyes have worn five different shells after going nearly half a century without change to correspond with Nike’s Pro Combat and throwback lineup. In 2011, dark gray pants with a wide scarlet stripe and a block “O” patch were paired with two-tone jerseys during a game against Wisconsin. Matte gray helmets featured a thick metallic scarlet stripe.
The Buckeyes’ 2012 Pro Combat get up included scarlet jerseys with large gray numerals and a black stripe around the sleeves. Ohio State’s gray pants featured wide piping and the chrome helmet shells had a thick scarlet, white and black stripe.
The Buckeyes donned a digital camouflage shell for their 2011 spring game, but that helmet hasn’t been worn during the regular season. Ohio State has sported white helmets once since the 1950s, doing so in a 2009 game with Michigan.
Ohio State’s current deal with Nike expires summer 2014. The swoosh has the option of extending a three-year option.
