Press Pass PE is one of the first products to drop after the April 1, 2010. That is the date Upper Deck’s exclusive license of collegiate products kicked in. This caused them to have to make changes. PE stands for Portrait Edition and appears to take of the place of a favorite product SE, Signature Edition. Press Pass did a good job featuring close up shots of the player for the most part without their helmet on. This did two things: 1. give collectors something different 2. gave them less to have to have to photoshop out. I think it was a good decision because the missing logos on the jersey is not as noticeable compared to the helmet, which everyone notices.

This product features the usual second release perks of Press Pass like inscriptions, red inks, and patches. Press Pass has a hit with some of these in my opinion. They feature something very unique and something collectors are looking for. First the unique:  A Practice Worn jersey.

Ndamukong Suh’s card features the fabled Nebraska Blackshirt defense jersey. This is the first time Press Pass has used a practice jersey before. In 2006 they did use the shirt from Matt Leinart’s pro day, but I think this is more special. The Blackshirts of Nebraska have a rich history and allow college fans to own a piece of it.

Secondly, they offer jerseys that collectors can identify from a specific game. This has gone away in the hobby, but Press Pass has two specific cases this year that I feel add a little bit extra.

Montario Hardesty of Tennessee is pictured with his black jersey that was won Halloween night against University of South Carolina. This is the only time UT has worn this jersey so it allows fans to know it is from one specific game and a win if they are a UT fan. Hardesty had 23 carries for 121 yards and 2 TDs.

Jacoby Ford falls into the same boat as Hardesty. Even though his appears to be another plain white jersey, however take a second look at it:

Notice that stitching. That is not typical of a jersey. It is actually the shoulder stitching from the shoulders of the Nike Pro Combat uniforms that Clemson wore also against the University of South Carolina. There are also other cards that have surfaced with the garnet paint in them making it an unwashed game worn jersey from one specific game, a collector’s dream.

Press Pass has done a great job so far under the new Collegiate Licensing rules. Hopefully they can continue this in the future.

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