Tag: black stripe removal

Black Stripe Alert! Freshman phenom Julian Sayin loses black stripe

So you’re “Sayin” he’s pretty good! #GoBucks

They say this kid is pretty good. Freshman phenom Julian Sayin has lost his black stripe and is officially a member of the brotherhood. Sayin originally committed to Alabama but in the wake of Nick Saban’s unexpected retirement, the five-star quarterback entered the transfer portal and chose Ohio State.

Sayin was ranked as the No. 3 overall quarterback in the 2024 class according to 247Sports composite rankings. Some saw the move as a shock as the Buckeyes already had Air Noland who was ranked as the No. 7 overall QB. From all accounts, the Carlsbad, California native is fitting in just fine in Columbus and many who have eyes on the ground say he could be pushing for playing time early.

We’d be shocked if he gets the nod over Will Howard or Devin Brown this season, but next year… look out. This young man is looking to make a name for himself in Scarlet and Gray.

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Black Stripe Alert! Will Smith Jr. sheds black stripe

Following in dad’s footsteps. #GoBucks

The son of a former Buckeye great has lost his black stripe. Will Smith Jr. was officially welcomed to the “Brotherhood” on Friday afternoon. It took Smith a little longer than most as he’s been on campus for over a year now, but it’s clear that the young man is headed in the right direction. Injuries may have slowed Smith just a bit last year, however, he now seems to be healthy and looking to find ways to contribute.

Hailing from Dublin, Ohio, Smith is the son of former All-American Will Smith. The defensive end starred for OSU in the early 2000s and helped lead the Bucks to the 2002 national championship over Miami. Dad also played with the New Orleans Saints before tragically losing his life in a road rage shooting in 2016.

Smith was ranked as the No. 20 defensive lineman in the 2023 class according to 247Sports.

The Buckeyes are in the middle of spring practice as they head toward the annual Scarlet and Gray game that will be aired on Fox on April 13.

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Black Stripe Alert! Ohio State safety Caleb Downs sheds black stripe

Welcome to the Brotherhood. #GoBucks

The Ohio State football team got some pretty big news when it found out that former Freshman All-American Caleb Downs was transferring from Tuscaloosa to Columbus. From the sounds of things, Downs has been making an impression since day one and now he’s been officially welcomed to the Brotherhood after losing his black stripe.

Downs made an instant impact at Alabama becoming a starter as a true freshman. In one year with the Tide, he tallied 107 total tackles, had two interceptions, and returned a punt for a touchdown. Big things are expected from the former five-star recruit as Sonny Styles, also a former five-star recruit, has moved to linebacker to make room for Downs in the secondary.

Downs is the second Buckeye to lose his black stripe this spring behind freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

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Black Stripe Alert! Ohio State legacy walk-on sheds black stripe

Son of former Ohio State captain is welcomed to the Brotherhood. #GoBucks

It was a Christmas Ryan Rudzinski won’t soon forget. The son of former Ohio State linebacker, Jerry Rudzinski, had his black stripe removed on Monday after the Buckeye’s Cotton Bowl practice.

The younger Rudzinski came to Ohio State as an invited walk-on after starring at Bishop Watterson High School near Columbus. Rudzinski was a two-way player for the Eagles where he racked up 10 interceptions on the defensive side and over 2,000 all-purpose yards with 10 touchdowns. He comes to OSU on the defensive side of the ball as a safety.

The elder Rudzinski starred for the Buckeyes from 1994-1998 and was a captain on the 1998 team that went 11-1 with a Big Ten title and Sugar Bowl victory over Texas A&M.

Rudzinski becomes the 37th Buckeye to shed his black stripe this season.

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Black Stripe Alert! Grandson of Ohio State royalty sheds black stripe

There’s another Griffin in the Brotherhood. #GoBucks

This is certainly a Christmas to remember for yet another member of the Buckeye football team. On Christmas Day, Diantรฉ Griffin, the grandson of Ohio State legend Archie Griffin, lost his black stripe. He was the second of the day, joining another legacy player in Ryan Rudzinski.

Diantรฉ Griffin came to Columbus from Lima Senior High School as a Preferred Walk-On in 2022. The second-year cornerback was a Second-Team All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference selection as well as a Second-Team All-Northwest Ohio selection during his senior year.

Griffin’s father, Andre also played at Ohio State as a running back from 1998-2001

Griffin becomes the 38th Buckeye to shed his black stripe this season.

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Black Stripe Alert! Ohio State walk-on loses black stripe

In case you missed it, preferred walk-on Jace Middleton is officially welcomed to the brotherhood. #GoBucks

We always love to see walk-ons making their mark. Jace Middleton recently lost his black stripe but he isn’t your average walk-on. Middleton joined the Ohio State football team at the beginning of his Junior year in college. He spent the previous two seasons playing baseball for the Buckeyes.

Middleton comes to Ohio State as a hometown kid. He played his high school ball just a few miles up the road at Olentangy in Lewis Center, Ohio. He was an All-OCC performer for the Braves as a senior in high school.

A few years removed from playing on the gridiron, Middleton will have three years of eligibility remaining. Middleton played wide receiver in high school along with some linebacker and safety, but will be a tight end at Ohio State.

Hartson becomes the 33rd Buckeye to shed his black stripe this season.

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Black Stripe Alert! Ohio State safety Cedrick Hawkins sheds black stripe

In case you missed it, Cedrick Hawkins becomes the newest member of BIA. #GoBucks

It’s been a while, but we have another black stripe alert! Freshman safety Cedrick Hawkins lost his black stripe recently to become the newest member of BIA.

Hawkins was a four-star recruit in the 2023 class out of Cocoa High School in Titusville, Florida. Although rated as the No. 28 overall safety in the class, Hawkins was still highly coveted. Most analysts agree that he has the skills to play at the next level, but needs to add some muscle to be able to compete in the Big Ten and beyond.

That may explain why the Florida native saw no action during his freshman season.

Hartson becomes the 32nd Buckeye to shed his black stripe this season.

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Ohio State freshman walk-on Willtrell Hartson sheds black stripe

Welcome Willtrell Hartson to the Brotherhood. #GoBucks

Black stripe alert! Ohio State freshman running back Willtrell Hartson has lost his black stripe and become the newest member of “Tote Nation.” Hartson was a three-star prospect out of Massillon Washington High School and was the 77th-ranked running back according to 247Sports.

The Ohio native was the lone running back the Buckeyes snagged in the 2023 class after missing on Justice Haynes and Richard Young, two top-10 backs who landed at Alabama. The No. 6 running back in the land, Mark Fletcher, was committed to OSU but flipped his commitment to Miami (Florida).

It remains to be seen if Tony Alford can work his magic and mold the walk-on into a viable option for the future.

Hartson becomes the 31st Buckeye to shed his black stripe this season.

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Ohio State freshman Austin Siereveld sheds black stripe

Austin Siereveld becomes the newest freshman welcomed to the Brotherhood. #GoBucks

Black stripe alert! On Wednesday, freshman offensive lineman, Austin Siereveld, became the latest Buckeye to lose his black stripe. Siereveld comes to Ohio State from Middletown, Ohio, and Lakota East High School.

A three-star prospect in the 2023 class, Siereveld is said to be one of the hardest workers on the team. Standing at 6-foot, 5-inches and 320 pounds, the young lineman fits the bill for what it takes to succeed in the trenches of Big Ten football.

Don’t let the three-star rating fool you. Siereveld held offers from all the big boys including, Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and more.

Siereveld becomes the 12th freshman to lose his black stripe this season as the Buckeyes are less than two weeks from the season opener against Indiana.

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Ohio State freshman Arvell Reese has lost black stripe

Welcome Arvell Reese to the Brotherhood. #GoBucks

Black stripe alert! On Tuesday, the newest member of the “Brotherhood” was welcomed when freshman Arvell Reese lost his black stripe. Reese comes to Ohio State via the pipeline to Cleveland Glenville High School.

Reese joined the Buckeyes as a four-star prospect at linebacker. However, the decision was made to move him to defensive end for the time being. Head coach Ryan Day said the idea came from Reese’s high school coach, Ted Ginn Sr.

The coaching staff sees him as explosive and believes his frame will allow him to bulk up rather quickly. Day also said the switch may not be permanent but could get him on the field earlier, however, no decisions have been made.

Reese becomes the 11th freshman to shed his black stripe this season as the Buckeyes are less than two weeks from the season opener against Indiana.

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Contact/Follow usย @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Mark Russell on X.