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It seems like the best way for a college football program to stay in the news these days is to continue to unveil new equipment. Whether it be new helmets or alternate jerseys, teams are constantly trying to find ways to separate themselves from the rest of the pack by making a fashion statement. On Wednesday, West Virginia officially unveiled their latest alternate uniforms for the 2012 season, and they are very, very gray.

When asked about the uniforms before they were officially shared with the public last week, WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen acknowledged that teams have to stay up on the latest equipment fashion trends if they want to remain relevant throughout the recruit process.

“It’s a recruiting thing,” he said according the Charleston Daily Mail. “If you look across the country, we’re behind on this. Everyone is going (Nike) Pro Combat. Everyone has three or four new uniforms. We’re far from that. It’s recruiting. Why is everyone doing it? Because the kids want it. It’s television and marketing and the kids get excited about what they can see.”

They may not have as much luck using these threads as a recruiting tool as Arkansas should with their new uniforms, but I guess there’s something to be said for being different. Unless, of course, you’re different like Maryland. I can’t imagine many people want to be that different.

H/T Eye on College Football
Photos via West Virginia’s official athletic site