The long awaited debut of Michigan football's new Jordan brand uniforms finally arrived with a variety of reactions.
A large majority of people believe that the unveiling of college football's first Jordan uniforms was rather underwhelming, which is an opinion that I can somewhat empathize with. But people, come on. It's Michigan football. Did we really expect some flashy threads to overtake the University's classic look? A program that prides itself on tradition more than anything? Maybe if a school such as Oregon or Boise State signed a deal with Jordan, I'd expect something way over the top. But Michigan's contract with Jordan is a recruiting tool more than anything else. The Jumpman (repeat 6 times in Drake voice) being on the Wolverines' uniforms highly appeals to recruits and current players, while still maintaining the traditional look that alumni and boosters admire so much. At the end of the day, the simple swap of the Jumpman for the subpar Adidas logo goes much further than you'd expect. Adidas brand schools just aren't with the times. No recruit seeks to be decked out in JV looking uniforms. Just look at the rate of school's switching from Adidas to Under Armour; Notre Dame and Wisconsin being two of the most notable to do so. It's a smart recruiting tactic, and Jim Harbaugh continued to prove himself as one of the country's best recruiters by ditching the logo that resembles a cellular service illustration. So yes, the simple logo change is an extremely minor detail, but it certainly goes a long way.
Many people are irritated by the fact that the Jumpman logo is unfit for a football uniform, as it portrays Michael Jordan dunking a basketball. Sure, the logo doesn't have anything to do with what the Wolverines will literally be doing on the field. But the Jumpman logo, in my mind, symbolizes greatness more than it does dunking a basketball. Obviously the Jumpman is considered elite because MJ is the greatest basketball player to ever live (sorry Cleveland), but even the distribution of Jordan uniforms across college basketball is undoubtedly exclusive. Jordan sponsors college basketball teams such as North Carolina (obviously), Georgetown, and the most elite of the bunch, Marquette University. So for Michigan to be the only football team in the country to rep the Jumpman, well that's about as elite as it gets.
Even though the overall appearance of Michigan's uniforms barely changed, I'm really digging the Jordan gloves.
Although gloves are a minor part of a uniform, those mitts look fresher and cleaner than Big Boi and Andre 3000. To go along with the classic look of the uniforms, the gloves aren't overwhelmingly obnoxious but the awesomeness just can't be denied.
The Wolverines' new look will give the players a whole new sense of swagger and confidence, which truly is half the battle in college football. And for what it's worth, I assume the Big House will constantly be playing Drake and Future's "Jumpman" just to remind opponents, "Yeah we're one of the best programs in the country. Good enough to be the only team sponsored by a 6-time NBA champion."
The tangible changes to Michigan's uniforms are minuscule, but the new sponsorship gives the program intangible and long term advantages.
I doubt Jordan will expand its college football sponsorships too much, but I'd like to see a few other programs join the movement. With UNC football's stock rising, especially after last year's ACC Championship Game appearance, the Tarheels would be the most obvious next choice. If this were to happen, I think everyone would simply want the uniforms to be sleeved versions of the hoops team uniforms. Again, there wouldn't be much visual change, but having the Jumpman on there would be the cherry on top of some already great looking threads.
I think another perfect fit for Jordan uniforms in college football would be the Miami Hurricanes, who unfortunately wear Adidas. The 'Canes would certainly have to pick up some slack in order to earn such a prestigious honor, but Jordan uniforms could possibly be what officially brings back "The U" that we all know and love.
Overall, I'm a big fan of Michigan's new look. I won't go crazy and say that they're perfect, but I'll give them a score of 8/10.
Lastly, I can't write a Michigan blog without shouting out Xaverian Brothers High School's own Mo Hurst Jr. who is expected to continue his ways as an absolute force on the defensive line. Soon enough Hurst will join the Hasselbeck brothers as Hawks football alumni to play on Sundays. Opposing offenses should absolutely fear this explosive beast this season. As the kids nowadays say, #StayWoke, opponents of Michigan.
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