Ohio State is bringing back its all-black uniforms – this time, with the addition of gray sleeves.
The Buckeyes will have a new (but old?) look this fall, as Ohio State is bringing back its all-black uniforms – but with a new twist, as the Buckeyes have added gray sleeves to the uniforms, which they are calling “Tunnel Vision” uniforms.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) May 11, 2026
Back in Black pic.twitter.com/ouDWlDVh9b
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) May 11, 2026
Ohio State has not yet announced when it will wear the uniforms, which it will pair with its standard home scarlet and away white uniforms. Ohio State is expected to bring the gray sleeve stripes back to all of its uniforms in 2026, a source told Eleven Warriors, though Monday’s announcement only confirmed that the gray sleeve stripes will be used on the all-black uniforms.
The new version of the all-black uniforms, which were originally introduced in 2015 and last worn in 2022, also includes a “silver flake finish” on the black helmets, a “Block O” at the center of the jersey collar and a decorative festoon pattern inside the jersey collar that pays homage to the architectural heritage of Ohio Stadium.
It's all in the details pic.twitter.com/nztUYAkhOS
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) May 11, 2026
“These Tunnel Vision uniforms – with the Buckeye Stripe now featuring metallic silver sleeves – exemplify how Ohio State football continues to build the best brand in the country," Ross Bjork said in a news release. "We’re always looking for ways to innovate while honoring our storied traditions, delivering fresh excitement for our players, fans, and alumni both inside Ohio Stadium and nationwide.”
Buckeye fans have been clamoring for Ohio State to bring the gray sleeves for nearly two decades after Ohio State removed them from its standard uniforms in 2006, replacing them with scarlet, white and black stripes. When Ohio State dropped the biggest teaser of the return of the gray sleeves by putting them on the players' practice jerseys for the spring game in April, it became even more apparent that OSU fans wanted them back.
Ohio State brought the gray sleeves back for select games starting with its national championship run in the initial College Football Playoff in 2014-15. Over the last 12 years, the Buckeyes wore the gray sleeves 15 times, most recently in their national championship win over Notre Dame two seasons ago.
- Jan. 1, 2015: vs. Alabama in the CFP semifinal (W, 42-35)
- Jan. 12, 2015: vs. Oregon in the CFP championship (W, 42-20)
- Sept. 7, 2015: at Virginia Tech (W, 42-24)
- Sept. 12, 2015: vs. Hawai'i (W, 38-0)
- Nov. 21, 2015: vs Michigan State (L, 17-14)
- Nov. 28, 2015: at Michigan (W, 42-13)
- Sept. 17, 2016: at Oklahoma (W, 25-24)
- Oct. 22, 2016: at Penn State (L, 24-21)
- Nov. 26, 2016: vs. Michigan (W, 30-27 in 2OT)
- Dec. 31, 2016: vs. Clemson in the CFP semifinal (L, 31-0)
- Dec. 28, 2019: vs. Clemson in the CFP semifinal (L, 29-23)
- Jan. 1, 2021: vs. Clemson in the CFP semifinal (W, 49-28)
- Jan. 11, 2021: vs. Alabama in the CFP championship (L, 52-24)
- Dec. 31, 2022: vs. Georgia in the CFP semifinal (L, 42-41)
- Jan. 20, 2025: vs. Notre Dame in the CFP championship (W, 34-23)
The Buckeyes have previously worn the all-black uniforms in four games, all victories:
- Oct. 17, 2015: vs. Penn State (W, 38-10)
- Nov. 3, 2018: vs. Nebraska (W, 36-31)
- Oct. 5, 2019: vs. Michigan State (W, 34-10)
- Sept. 24, 2022: vs. Wisconsin (W, 52-21)
