On Thursday morning, Tennessee football unveiled its new ‘Smokey Grey’ uniforms for the 2025 season. This marks the fourth edition in four years of the fan-favorite jerseys.
With Nike committing to this four-year span of unique uniforms, we’ve now gotten to see all of the different versions. Let’s take a look at each, in order from my favorite to least favorite.
1) 2024 – “The Volunteer State”
Last season’s jerseys followed the theme of the state of Tennessee. In my opinion, it was knocked out of the park. It also included some firsts for Vol football jerseys. It was the first time ever that the word ‘Tennessee’ was displayed across the chest and the state’s iconic ‘Tri-Star’ logo was also displayed on the shoulders.
A touch that can go unnoticed but worked extremely well was the striping. On the pants and on the helmet, it featured a thick orange line with a thin white one on the outside. This mimics the state flag, as well.
Tennessee wore these in the season-opener against Chattanooga. The Vols had no trouble with their in-state opponent, winning 69-3. Nico Iamaleava threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns while Dylan Sampson scampered for 124 yards and three scores and Dont’e Thornton caught two touchdowns for 105 yards.
2) 2022 – “OG”
The first year of the four-year stretch, Nike simply rebooted its previous edition that was worn from 2015-17. Dubbed the ‘OG’, UT was previously 3-1 in the uniforms, including 21-point comebacks over Georgia (2015) and Florida (2016) and the 2016 Music City Bowl win that saw Derek Barnett set the program career sack record.
While there isn’t a set theme on this set like the future versions, it does stem from the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. The helmets have a subtle mountain design behind the Power T.
Tennessee wore these on the road against LSU. The Vols jumped on the Tigers early and never looked back. UT won 40-13 behind a 239-yard and two-touchdown day from Hendon Hooker with both strikes to Jalin Hyatt. Jabari Small also ran for 127 yards and a pair of scores.
3) 2023 – “Artful Dodger”
In 2023, Tennessee paid homage to one of the pioneers of the sport. The Vols took inspiration from the ‘Holloway Era’ uniforms with orange shoulders that UT legendary quarterback Condredge Holloway wore. Playing from 1971-74, he was the first Black player to start at quarterback for an SEC program.
The orange shoulders of the uniform weren’t the only throwback aspects, either. Tennessee also implemented ‘a vintage-inspired grey face mask & thin orange helmet stripe and classic double stripes on the pants.’
The Vols wore these against Austin Peay in an ugly, ugly game. Tennessee held on to win 30-13 over the in-state opponent, but took just a 13-6 lead into the half after Joe Milton III ran for a score just before the break. He threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns, as well. Jaylen Wright ran for 118 yards and Kamal Hadden came up with an interception.
4) 2025 – “Volunteer Spirit”
The new versions of the ‘Smokey Greys’ aren’t my cup of tea. The idea behind the jerseys, honoring the United States Armed Forces, is fine, but the execution isn’t there. The biggest issue for me is the different color of grey between the pants and jersey, which is described as resembling ‘a similar look of steel forged from military artillery.’
Along with a tip of the cap to the military, the uniforms also pay tribute to Davy Crockett with ‘The Davy Stripe’ on the sleeves and helmet. The numerals are inspired by ‘military standard font.’
Tennessee will wear these on Nov. 15 against New Mexico State. The game will serve as the ‘Salute to Service’ game, just four days after Veterans Day. Kick-off is set for 4:15 p.m. ET and will air on SEC Network.
