You might have missed it amid media day noise, but last week, college mascots convened in Tuscaloosa to dance. Imagine furry feet two-stepping in Alabama heat. Watching them had ESPN’s Ryan McGee asking: who truly reigns supreme in the mascot world? To answer that, he broke mascots into five divisions: costume, mechanized, human, live animal, and even a bonus “non-football” bracket, and ranked the best in each.

Costume Division

5. Keggy the Keg (Dartmouth): Born as a joke from a humor magazine in 2003, Keggy remains an unofficial but beloved icon of Dartmouth.
6. The Stanford Tree: Stanford students audition annually in quirky tree suits. Never official, it still steals every halftime show.
7. Big Red (Western Kentucky): A red blob of mystery fashioned by a student in 1979. Its oddball vibe somehow captures the Hilltopper spirit.
8. Brutus (Ohio State): The template for modern mascots with a big plastic head. He’s had style makeovers over the years, always representing Buckeye pride.
9. The Duck (Oregon): More than Disney flair, Oregon’s Duck is a social media star with entrance GIFs, signage, and even an Aussie tour. It’s mascot brilliance.

Mechanized Division

5. Cocky’s Cockaboose (South Carolina): South Carolina’s Cocky enters in a train caboose, echoing fan box luxury. A fun, nostalgic entrance.
6. Monte on a Harley (Montana): Monte the grizzly roars in atop a Harley or ATV with Chewbacca-like, popcorn-worthy flair.
7. Demon Deacon chopper (Wake Forest): A custom Evel Knievel bike symbolizes autumn Saturdays in Winston Salem.
8. Buzz and Ramblin’ Wreck (Georgia Tech): Buzz rides shotgun on the historic Ramblin’ Wreck, a 1930s Ford. Iconic for Yellow Jacket pride.
9. Sooner Schooner (Oklahoma): A tiny covered wagon pulled by Boomer and Sooner. When it rolls right, it rocks. When it doesn’t... still unforgettable.

Human Division

5. Vili the Warrior (Hawaiʻi): Though retired, Vili once led chants and haka before huge crowds. His legacy lingers.
6. Chief Osceola (Florida State): A student rides his horse, Renegade, then plants a flaming spear center field. It's drama with cultural roots, endorsed by Seminole leadership.
7. Masked Rider (Texas Tech): A black-masked cowboy rides in, predating others, thanks to a prank turned tradition.
8. WVU Mountaineer and Tennessee’s Davy Crockett: These coonskin-capters fire rifles and stir crowds. They own wild-school energy.
9. Notre Dame Leprechaun: Since 1964, this pint-sized Irish figure embodies ND spirit. It’s inclusive, gender, race, or hair color don’t matter. Tryouts are intense, jigging and push-ups included.

Live Animal Division

5. War Eagle (Auburn): A bird of prey gliding through stadium air. Its wings command attention.
6. Mike the Tiger (LSU): A 420-pound Bengal lounging in a plush habitat. He knows his caretakers and fans.
7. Bevo (Texas): A massive longhorn weighing 1,700 pounds with 58-inch horns. He has his own care team and even a scholarship.
8. Ralphie (Colorado): One of the fastest buffalo mascots, running at 25 mph, led by handlers. Lou Holtz once asked, “How does this work?”
9. Uga (Georgia): A white bulldog in Athens royalty. Lives in an on-campus suite, rides in a custom SUV, and never loses cool. Top dog among mascots.

Bonus: Non-Football Mascots

Oddball favorites include Delta State's Fighting Okra, UC San Diego's King Triton, UC Santa Cruz's Sammy the Slug, Saint Mary's Gael, and Providence’s Friar Dom, with Friar Dom delivering the most haunting stare of all.

Final Word

What it all shows is this: mascots are more than fluff. They’re creativity, tradition, spirit. McGee’s rankings highlight the wild, the heartfelt, the hilarious, and yes, the occasionally terrifying. Now it's your turn, who tops your mascot bracket?