Two Schutt helmets, two Xenith helmets and one Rawlings helmet were given the institution's highest rating of Best Available in a recent update of its ratings system. Unlike NOCSAE-rated helmets, which test the helmet's ability to withstand breaking, the Virginia Tech standard is designed to determine which helmets minimize concussion riskduring game conditions. To date, there are nine helmets with the 5star rating.
Another eight helmets habe the Four Star rating-two from Schutt, two from Riddell, two from Rawlings, one from Xenith and one from SG. Riddell has one with a One Star rating and Adams has one with a Not Recommended rating. The Virginia Tech STAR rating system puts each helmet through 120 ipact tests designed to measure its ability to reduce concussion risk. The rating had only one Five Star helmet in 2011 when it was started.
