Freshman Offensive Lineman Toby Wilson Loses Black Stripe

A true freshman walk-on and the son of Ohio State offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, Toby Wilson has seen time as the Buckeyes' backup center in each of the past three games.

Wilson played 16 snaps against Akron, seven against Rutgers and 15 against Maryland for a total of 38 so far in his first year in the program.

"It's amazing, he's a coach's kid. That's the first thing I can say," offensive line coach Greg Studrawa said Tuesday. "He's been around the game, he's grown up in the game, we've had injuries with the rest of the backup centers and Toby's played the position. So we put him in there and he's continued to grow and grow and grow, and is doing a great job. He's earned where he is and he's playing pretty well. A couple of the games, he's gone in there and made some really, really good blocks for a freshman walk-on to go into that situation. So I think he'll continue to grow and get better and work hard, so I'm pretty proud of what he's done."

Welcome to the Brotherhood, @Tobemato! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/11WYLHYTIv

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 20, 2021

Wilson is the eighth Buckeye to lose his black stripe since the 2021 season began, and the first since defensive tackle Mike Hall and cornerback Jakailin Johnson shed their stripes on Sept. 22.

Update: Ohio State announced Wednesday that Jackson Kuwatch, a true freshman linebacker from Lakota West, has also shed his black stripe. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native walked onto the team this past June after being named the Southwest Ohio Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in high school.

@KuwatchJackson is officially a Buckeye #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/Frz8uEMwIM

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 20, 2021