Since the Georgia Bulldogs last donned an alternate uniform on New Years Day in 2021, the Georgia faithful have been begging head coach Kirby Smart to do it again. When Smart said that he'd let the players wear the popular all-white combination used in recruiting visits if the fans fulfilled a goal with Glory Glory, they more than answered.
Yesterday, Smart fulfilled that promise and announced the Bulldogs will wear the all-whites against Western Kentucky on September 12th. With this recent announcement, I started thinking about all the other times Georgia has worn an alternate uniform. Here is a ranking of those said uniforms (this does not include the traditional home/away designs).
5. Nike's Pro Combat style uniforms
This is kind of the unanimous choice for last if you ask any Bulldog fan. For the 2011 season, Nike secured an exclusive uniform and apparel deal with nine select college football programs to showcase hyper-futuristic designs. Of those colleges, Georgia was one of them. They would wear those uniforms against Boise State, who would also be wearing their own Nike Pro Combat uniforms, in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game.
Georgia would go on to lose that game against the fifth ranked Broncos 35-21. Even without the loss, the uniforms were a wreck. The black numbers mixed with the red jersey and matching red paints were an eye sore. What made it worse were the grey helmets that did not match the uniform at all on top. Needless to say, we hope these do not see the field again.
4. Black helmet, black pants
This idea was not as far-fetched and bold as the Pro Combat uniforms, but they were still a bold choice. In an effort by Mark Richt to create an "extra spark" against the Florida Gators in 2009, the Bulldogs ran out with the classic white jersey but with black pants and black helmets. However, the theory did not work as the Bulldogs lost by a score of 41-17.
Since that loss, the uniforms have not seen the field again. If it was not for that loss, I would not be surprised if these did make a reappearance at some point. However, the iconic Georgia red is notably missing pretty substantially on these uniforms. The only real visible red is on accents around the numbers and the facemask. If it had more red, maybe this combo would be higher on the list.
3. 40-year Anniversary throwbacks
I personally love these uniforms. Even though they are a close copy of the 1980s regular away jerseys, I still think they are deserving to be put on this list as they are now alternates for the modern Bulldogs. In 2020, Georgia debuted the 40-year anniversary throwbacks to when Georgia won it all in 1980. The away uniforms versus Arkansas featured the red pants but with a white jersey that mimicked those of 1980 with block black numbering and the classic stripe pattern on the shoulders.
Georgia would go on to win that game 37-10 in which Stetson Bennett took over for a struggling Dwan Mathis. It is hard to make the red pants work, but the white jerseys make it work for these. The contrast is beautiful and it looks classy. Personally, I hope they eventually bring these back.
2. Whiteout
Though they haven't even worn them on the field yet, this has to be high on the list. Judging from recruiting visit pictures, these are clean. The white uniforms with the red accents make this just a stunning uniform to look at. The red and black stripes across the top of the helmet prevent it from being too bland, and it has just the right amount of red to make it Georgia.
1. Blackout
Though I would say the recent redesign of the black uniforms with the Bulldog on the shoulder and the spikes on the neckline are better than the original black unis, I'm going to lump them together as No. 1 on this list. Redesign or not, the black uniforms are No. 1 always.
Nothing beats seeing these uniforms in a surprising debut against Auburn in 2007 with a blackout crowd. For years after that, the uniforms kept being brought out and fans loved it. Though it has taken a five-year hiatus, do not be surprised after these white unis have been introduced, that Smart finds a way for these to make a reappearance too.
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