Having ranked our top 10 leos for all the big four conference teams last offseason, as well as some other popular schools (let us know if we haven’t ranked a team you want to see!), it’s time to look at each individual editor’s top 15 leotards of all time—limited to one leo per school. Next up is our Big 12 assistant editor Ryan!
No. 1: Alabama: To me, a great college leo has simple ideas executed perfectly, in a way that only one university’s team can wear. This mid-2010s design from Alabama does that and more. The asymmetrical placement of the supersized A is eye-catching and keeps the leo from having a “front side” and a “back side.” I appreciate how the radiating sparkles and unique neckline keep things interesting without making the leo too busy. We can tell this is Bama from a mile away, and that’s just the way I like it.
No. 2: UCLA: The internet, or at least my Twitter feed, exploded when UCLA unveiled this design for the university’s 100th anniversary. It’s quite possibly the best retro-style leo ever made, with a perfect mixture of throwback and modern elements. The electric blue ombre is gorgeous, and the stripes down the side echo Soviet leos of old. It’s athletic, it’s clean and it’s iconic. Bring this one back, Bruins!
No. 3: Utah: I think Utah is one of the best-dressed teams in the NCAA, but this design takes the cake for me. The mountains and Salt Lake City skyline give the leo a three-dimensional quality and pay tribute to the university’s home. I love the extension of the mountain elements to the sleeves, and the sparkles look like stars in the sky. It would have been easy for this to turn into a less memorable red and black design, but instead it’s one I hope the Red Rocks will wear for seasons to come.
No. 4: Illinois: I love a white leo, and this one Illinois debuted at the 2021 Big Ten championship meet might be my favorite ever. It’s interesting from every angle, with the diagonal sash giving a dynamic quality few other designs have. The ombre mesh sleeve balances everything out, and the orange name is spirited without taking over. It’s a leo that looks great standing still but even better when it’s moving. I can’t get enough!
No. 5: Georgia: This is another design from the mid-2010s, and like Alabama’s, it references some of the team’s most memorable leos from previous decades. Georgia won the 2005 national title in a similar black ensemble, but this one has a more open back among other updates. The small cutout below the white band makes it feel like the gymnast is wrapped in Gym Dog pride. If you’re going to do color blocking, do it like this.
No. 6: Auburn: I still have no idea why the Tigers chant “War Eagle,” but if it results in leos like this, who cares? The feather linework on this design is so gorgeous, and the other elements are simple enough to let it shine. A great example of how teams can set themselves apart without overloading on sparkles.
No. 7: Iowa: Speaking of sparkles, Iowa calls this its bling leo, and I certainly think it would go great with a crown. The design was understandably celebrated when it debuted in the 2021 season opener due to its skin tone-matching mesh, but the sweetheart neckline and open back are captivating in their own right. I love the idea that no matter who puts this leo on, they’ll get to feel like a queen.
No. 8: Michigan: The Wolverines are another team with a lot of great looks, but the sunburst (maizeburst?) design is the one I most remember. It’s so complex without being too busy, and the focal M instantly tells you it’s Michigan despite most of the leo being black. It’s just so cool. What more can I say?
No. 9: Nebraska: Growing up attending Nebraska meets, I had several leos that came to mind, but there’s just something about this one from the 2003 Super Six. There are no markings of the school name or logo, but it still screams Huskers. The red and white balance each other well, especially in the back, which is unique enough to keep the design from being forgettable. It’s almost as simple as it gets, in the very best way.
No. 10: Maryland: Maryland has four school colors, a unique challenge for leo designs. Things could get crazy pretty fast, but I love the way the colors are washed out and incorporated into the sleeves here. It’s just the right amount of red, yellow and white on a mostly black leo. The crystal placement is incredible as well. I especially appreciate how it frames the cutout back. Starting to notice a theme of those on this list.
No. 11: Florida: As we’ve discovered, I’m a sucker for simplicity, and this mid-2000s design from Florida is a prime example. I’m obsessed with the white stripe along the side, and the metallic blue offers the perfect companion. Who needs orange, am I right?
No. 12: Arkansas: The Razorbacks debuted this leo at the 2021 SEC championship, and I hope to see it this season and beyond. The flower detailing on the sleeves is almost painting like, and the crystal placement on the front extends this idea. I would absolutely hang this leo in my house.
No. 13: Ohio State: I’ll say it again: I love a white leo. This Ohio State design takes it to the next level with the only red coming in crystal form. It’s simple, sparkly and I love the back detail. Every school should have a variation of this, at least in my world.
No. 14: Oklahoma: OU’s recent leotards have been pretty polarizing, but when the Sooners first shot up the rankings in the early 2010s, you had to admit they looked classy. I call this one the rib design, and I appreciate how the white piping adds interest to a relatively ordinary crimson leo. The lettering down the sleeve and on the back bring just the right amount of pep.
No. 15: Penn State: This is another leo that looks great while it’s moving. There are just the right number of colored bands, and I enjoy how the design sneakily gives us two white sleeves. An asymmetrical leo that serves as a fitting end to this list!
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Article by Ryan Wichtendahl
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Thanks Ryan!!! 🙂
Thank you! Can’t wait to see the next ones!