Logos are a huge part of college football. They’re more than just designs on a helmet or a jersey—they’re a badge of pride that can tell the story of a program’s history. In 2025, few logos stand out for longevity as we celebrate some of college football’s most enduring symbols.
Thanks to a recent series by College Sports Logos on X, we’re diving into the oldest college football logos still in use as of today. These brand marks have stood the test of time.
A Look Back at College Football’s Oldest and Most Iconic Logos
In 2025, a handful of logos will be celebrated for reaching major milestones: 55 years or more of continuous use.
We start off the last day of this series celebrating these college logos’ 55 years of existence. Just 3 have been continuously used since then: Clemson’s Tiger Paw, the Nebraska N, and also Nebraska’s Football N. #LogoAnniversary #collegelogohistory pic.twitter.com/NaKGy0u9Un
— College Sports Logos (@college_logos) January 10, 2025
According to the College Sports Logos series, only a few from 1970 are still active today, and they belong to two of college football’s most storied programs.
Clemson’s “Tiger Paw” Logo
Clemson University’s Tiger Paw logo turned 55 this year, a design that has become one of the most recognizable symbols in college sports history.
The story behind it is pretty fascinating. In 1970, Clemson wanted a fresh identity, so they turned to designer John Antonio.
He reached out to the Smithsonian Institute for a photo of a tiger’s paw and the National History Museum in Chicago for a real tiger paw plaster cast. Using those references, Antonio designed a fierce and unique logo.
The paw is tilted at a 30-degree angle to symbolize a 1:00 p.m. kick-off time, which was standard for games at that time.
There’s also a small indentation at the bottom of the paw, a nod to a scar on the real tiger paw used for the cast. Since its debut, the “Tiger Paw” has been a constant for Clemson, even as the team rose to national prominence with multiple championships in recent years.
Nebraska’s “N” Logos
The Cornhuskers have two “N” logos that also hit the 55-year mark this year: the Nebraska “N” used across university athletics, and a specific Football “N” for the gridiron squad, which was introduced in 1970.
Nebraska dominated college football in the 1990s with three national titles, and the “N” was there for every moment of glory.
Oklahoma’s “Schooner” Logo
The University of Oklahoma’s Schooner logo celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025, making it the oldest active logo.
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The Schooner, a covered wagon pulled by two white ponies named Boomer and Sooner, has been a staple of Oklahoma football since 1950. Its design is simple but evocative: a red wagon with white ponies charging forward.
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