Back to the College Football Uniforms
Battle-worn helmets and metallic numbers.
Nike gave the Scarlet Knights everything they wanted and then some in 2012 when the swoosh overhauled Rutgers’ classic look for a Pro Combat uniform set more fitting for warriors in medieval armor. Three sets of monochromatic uniforms — red, white and black — are set off by silver numerals that reflect in the sun and gleam off of jerseys. Two different pre-scuffed chrome shells round out the Scarlet Knight’s battle-ready look.
And we thought Rutgers’ basic black alternate and matte shell introduced a few years ago was cool.
Nike’s futuristic revamping includes strategically-placed padding in “impact zones” on gameday jerseys and pants and ribbing at the neck and shoulders. The Scarlet Knights have kept their “Rutgers” wordmark across the front, but there isn’t much else about the new look that screams Rutgers other than an “R” shield patch at the Flywired crest.
Athletic department officials have said players love the new look and they are being used as a recruiting tool for future standouts. Previous Nike uniforms during Greg Schiano’s regime were simple in comparison, red tops trimmed in white at home and the inverse on the road. The neckline of jerseys was wide with a team color and block numbers lined sleeves. The school’s popular block “R” is no longer featured on game pants.
The Scarlet Knights have donned eight different helmets since the start of the 2011 season, two different black shells and a tradition-rich red among others. From 2001-11, the preferred choice on gameday was a red shell with the program’s familiar block “R” in white.
Rutgers turned it up a notch to complete their 2012 Pro Combat uniforms with the chrome, battle-worn shells. At home, battle-worn chrome with a red “R” is worn. On the road, battle-worn chrome featuring a red “R”, red facemask and red stripe is the choice. Rutgers’ battle-worn chrome with black accents is considered the school’s current alternate shell.
Rutgers also donned a “USA” inspired distressed chrome helmet against Army during the same season. For a nearly 40-year stretch beginning in 1973, red helmets were worn at Rutgers. Black appeared in 2011 and the rest, as they say, was history.
Nike has certainly given Rutgers its own exclusive appearance since 2011.
