A new uniform design for the University of South Alabama Jaguars football team is unveiled Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at the football field house on the USA campus in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Brantley/mbrantley@al.com)

MOBILE, Alabama - South Alabama's football team will have a different look this season. And that doesn't apply only to the roster.

The Jaguars will break out some new touches to their uniforms in this, their fifth season of play. They will don new red jerseys as well as a new-look helmet this season, both of which are expected to make their debut in South Alabama's season-opener at Ladd-Peebles Stadium against Southern Utah on Thurs., Aug. 29.

"They're pretty sweet,'' quarterback Ross Metheny said of the new uniforms. "Not only do they look good but I think they're going to make us play better. The material is more breathable, and they're a tighter fit so (opponents) can't grab the jersey to pull us down as easily. I think they'll enhance our play as well as look good.''

The new red jerseys feature an all-red design minus the white accents that were part of the original red jerseys. The name "Jaguars'' is still featured across the front of the jersey above the number, but it is now in blue and mush smaller than before. Originally, it was in white with blue trim.

The numbers remain white with blue trim and are easily recognizable, so fans will be able to spot their favorite player by their number. The numbers remain white with blue trim on the shoulders as well. Another new wrinkle will be an undershirt that goes with the uniform. It is white but with a blue design that attracts attention.

"We always try to update our uniforms, so to speak,'' head coach Joey Jones said. "We went with a real traditional look when we first got here. We felt like we needed to do that. The kids have expressed their interest in doing something a little newer and more modern and I think we've come up with a real good look.

"We tried to hide it from them but the word got out on the internet and they saw it. They're really excited about it. Some of our seniors actually took some pictures with it a couple of weeks ago and they were very excited about that.''

The helmet will be white again, but instead of the school's trademark Jaguar logo on each side, the word JAGS is featured in dark blue with red trim. There is also a dark blue stripe from front to back that is trimmed in red. It is a descending stripe that comes to a point in the back of the helmet. Jones said that was by design too because the team likes to use the player's number in a bigger size than many schools on the back of the helmet. The helmet will also feature a blue faceguard this year as opposed to the white ones of past seasons.

"I think we hit the opposite end of the spectrum (with the helmets). It's night and day from last year,'' Metheny said. "I think we definitely like the new helmets as well. They're pretty cool.''

The Jags will also sport blue and white Nike cleats that are new to the team this year.