The 10 Best Cleats of College Football Spring Games

The top college football teams showed off their best cleats during spring scrimmages.

Pat Benson | Apr 24, 2023

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The 2023 college football season kicks off in 124 days, but who is counting? While not every program hosts an official spring game, some lucky fan bases have been treated to a small taste of NCAA football over the past weekends.

Just as every player battles for his position on the depth chart, all the major apparel brands compete to show off their best gear. Below are the rankings of the ten best cleats worn during this year's spring games.

Oklahoma Sooners

After signing a deal with Jordan Brand in November 2017, the Oklahoma Sooners became the third FBS program to represent Jumpman on the gridiron. The move immediately infused energy into Norman, Oklahoma.

During this past Saturday's scrimmage, Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel wore a player-exclusive colorway of a Jordan Brand football cleat that resembles the Nike Alpha Menace Elite 3 but certainly is not releasing to the public anytime soon. Luckily, there is plenty of Oklahoma Sooners merchandise available on the Nike website.

Clemson Tigers

In 2018, the Clemson Tigers signed a massive ten-year, $58 million contract extension with Nike. The two partners have been in business since 2002 and show no signs of slowing down.

During last Saturday's orange and white game, Tigers safety Andrew Mukuba appeared to wear the Nike Vapor Edge Elite 360 2. Football players can buy the cleats online, and fans can shop the Clemson Tigers section on the Nike website.

Texas Longhorns

In 2015, the Texas Longhorns signed a 15-year, $250 million contract extension with Nike. The two parties had been in business since 2000, but the new deal was the biggest contract ever signed between a school and an apparel company at that time.

Nike knew all eyes would be on incoming quarterback Arch Manning last Saturday, so they had the freshman laced up in Nike Vapor Edge Speed 360 cleats. While fans wait out the quarterback battle, they can shop the Texas Longhorns section of the Nike website.

Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State wide receiver Omari Evans runs with the football. — © Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Penn State Nittany Lions and Nike first went into business in 1993. The latest contract extension between the two parties came in 2021 when Penn State signed a five-year deal that runs through the 2025-26 athletic year.

Similar to other Nike schools, skill position players in Happy Valley seem to prefer the Nike Vapor Edge Speed 360 cleats. Similar to other Nike-sponsored schools, there is an entire section of the Nike website dedicated to the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Michigan Wolverines

In 2015, news broke that the Michigan Wolverines would become the first football program to represent Jordan Brand on the gridiron. After a phone call between Michael Jordan and Jim Harbaugh, a 15-year deal was later agreed upon.

Earlier this month, Wolverines quarterback Alex Orji appeared to wear a heavily-taped pair of Jordan Vapor Pro 360 cleats in a player-exclusive colorway. While fans wait on the season to kick off, they can shop the Michael Wolverines section on the Nike website.

LSU Tigers

The LSU Tigers should be on the precipice of a new deal with Nike, as their last contract was signed in 2013 and ran through this athletic year. So, an announcement on that front could be in the works.

In the meantime, Tigers running back Malik Nabers wore the Nike Alpha Menace Elite during this past Saturday's purple and white game. Since their partnership appears firmly intact, fans can safely shop the LSU Tigers section of the Nike website.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman runs with the ball. — © Greg Swiercz / USA TODAY NETWORK

In 2014, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish signed a ten-year, $90 million contract that will soon expire. In retrospect, the deal looks like a steal. Notre Dame should be on the verge of a new contract soon.

During the past Saturday's spring game, the new Fighting Irish quarterback Sam Hartman appeared to wear a white colorway of the Under Armour Spotlight Select Mid cleats. Like other schools, fans can browse the Notre Dame section of the Under Armour website.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabam Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson carries the ball. — Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Sports

In 2013, the Alabama Crimson Tide signed a lengthy contract extension worth $63 million that runs through 2025. This is another golden example of an apparel deal that was a steal for the Swoosh.

During this past Saturday's scrimmage, Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson appeared to wear the Nike Vapor Edge Pro 360 cleats. The cleats, plus a large selection of Alabama Crimson Tide gear, are available on the Nike website.

USC Trojans

There has been plenty of acrimony among USC Trojans fans about their deal with Nike when looking at the major paydays in recent years of crosstown rival UCLA Bruins.

Business aside, Trojans quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams wore custom Nike cleats with a good message during the team's scrimmage last Saturday. Similar to other schools, the USC Trojans have an entire section of the Nike website dedicated to cardinal and gold.

Florida Gators

During the 2018 season, the Florida Gators became the fourth FBS program to wear Jordan Brand gear on the football field. Since then, we have seen a steady flow of player-exclusive Jumpman apparel in blue and orange. Two weeks ago was no different during Florida's spring game.

The players wore Air Jordan models, and some even gifted their game-worn cleats to fans in attendance. Thanks to that classy move, the Gators easily take the top spot in our rankings. Fans can check out the Florida Gators section of Jordan Brand apparel on the Nike website.

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Published Apr 24, 2023

PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers the sneaker industry for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Previously, he has reported on the NBA, authored "Kobe Bryant's Sneaker History (1996-2020)," and interviewed some of the biggest names in the sports world. You can email him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.