Tracking Ohio State’s 2025 Black Stripe Removals

TJ Alford

The LB room just added a force to be reckon with, welcome to the Brotherhood @TarvosAlford_II pic.twitter.com/nnFLVFV9qK

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 17, 2025

TJ Alford became the 12th member of Ohio State’s freshman class to have his black stripe removed as he “officially” became a Buckeye following the Wednesday practice during OSU’s first bye week of the season.

The four-star linebacker lost his black stripe after seeing second-half action in both of Ohio State’s wins over Grambling State and Ohio, recording three total tackles with one tackle for loss. He’s the second freshman linebacker to have his black stripe removed this year, joining Riley Pettijohn.

Zion Grady

Unblockable on the edge & ready to make his presence felt, welcome to the brotherhood @GradyZion pic.twitter.com/6b18h9TolE

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 11, 2025

Two of Ohio State’s freshman defensive linemen had their black stripes removed before the third game of the season as defensive end Zion Grady – who recorded a sack in his Ohio State debut against Grambling State – joined defensive tackle Jarquez Carter in having his black stripe removed before the Buckeyes’ third game of the season against Ohio. Together, they’re the 10th and 11th members of Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class to have their black stripes removed.

Jarquez Carter

The Rushmen just added some serious talent and physicality in the trenches, welcome @JarquezCarter pic.twitter.com/DMnpo1kc7k

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 11, 2025

After playing 22 snaps at defensive tackle in Ohio State’s first two games of the season, recording one tackle against Grambling State, freshman defensive tackle Jarquez Carter “officially” became a Buckeye following OSU’s Wednesday practice before its third game of the year against Ohio. He and Zion Grady were the 10th and 11th members of Ohio State’s freshman class to have their black stripe removed.

De'Zie Jones

Zone 6 is adding speed, elusiveness and a big time playmaker, welcome @dezjones88 pic.twitter.com/bG88SXLYUi

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 3, 2025

Three of Ohio State's four wide receiver commits in the recruiting class of 2025 have shed their black stripes to "officially" become Buckeyes within the first two weeks of their freshman years. The latest is De'Zie Jones, a four-star prospect out of DePaul Catholic High School in New Jersey.

Keenan Nelson Jr.

Welcome the kid who is ready to make the Buckeyes better all around, welcome to BIA, @KeenanNelsonJr1 pic.twitter.com/4R6yGS8yGi

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 3, 2025

After transferring to Ohio State from South Carolina in May 2024, redshirt junior safety Keenan Nelson Jr. shed his black stripe on Wednesday. He was a contributor to the Buckeyes' special teams last season and expects to fill a similar role the remainder of this year, though he didn't play against Texas in Week 1.

Phillip Bell

The Cali kid is ready to put on a show in Scarlet & Gray, welcome to the Brotherhood, @phillipbelliii pic.twitter.com/RLxntg6DMU

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 20, 2025

A four-star wide receiver from Mission Viejo, California, Bell is the eighth member of Ohio State’s 2025 freshman class to have his black stripe removed. He’s likely to be a third-string receiver for his freshman season but is a candidate to play a bigger role at Z receiver or in the slot in future years.

Damarion Witten

Zone 6 is adding an Elite in state stud to the room. Welcome to the Brotherhood, @23kMarion pic.twitter.com/s5RE3hg3u9

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 19, 2025

Witten had his black stripe amid Ohio State’s fourth week of preseason camp. The No. 465 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, Witten was a standout tight end for the Glenville Tarblooders but transitioned to wide receiver at Ohio State. If Witten makes an impact in 2025, it will come on special teams, as the Buckeyes' wide receiver room features Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss and a number of other talented pass-catchers at the top of the depth chart.

Faheem Delane

BIA just got a whole lot better in the secondary, welcome to the Brotherhood, @faheemdelane pic.twitter.com/Q22uBuHvhf

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 16, 2025

The No. 55 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class had his black stripe removed at the conclusion of Ohio State’s third week of preseason camp. The talented safety from Good Hope, Maryland, is competing for an immediate spot on Ohio State’s two-deep at the position, where he could be the Buckeyes’ No. 4 safety behind Caleb Downs, Jaylen McClain and Malik Hartford.

Jake Cook

O-Line group adding a big time DUDE in the trenches, welcome @CookJake52 pic.twitter.com/ZwdEGYltPw

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 16, 2025

Delane and Cook are the sixth and seventh members of Ohio State’s 2025 freshman class to have their black stripes removed. Cook, a four-star prospect from nearby Westerville North High School who earned a scholarship offer from Ohio State with a surge entering his senior year of high school, appears poised to be on the Buckeyes’ two-deep as one of their top backup guards this season along with Gabe VanSickle.

Nick McLarty

The Punter from Australia is ready to leave his mark Welcome to the Brotherhood @nick_mclarty pic.twitter.com/Vozg0TtDnM

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 14, 2025

After keeping his black stripe on for his first year as a Buckeye, redshirt freshman punter Nick McLarty had his stripe removed on Aug. 14. The 6-foot-7, 255-pound punter from Australia is competing with incumbent punter Joe McGuire to be Ohio State’s starting punter this season.

Bo Jackson

Lock Boyz adding an electric back into the room, look out for Bo on the Go Welcome, @BoJackson2025 pic.twitter.com/oy3A9Raz6r

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 14, 2025

Freshman running back Bo Jackson was a consistent standout in spring practice and the spring game for Ohio State, and on Thursday, the in-state prospect "officially" became a Buckeye. He is the fifth member of his freshman class to shed his black stripe.

Phillip Daniels

The Trenches is where he thrives, O-Line is adding a difference maker to the Brotherhood in @PhilDaniels77 pic.twitter.com/zBGe1TMRS0

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 13, 2025

As he competes with fellow transfer Ethan Onianwa for Ohio State’s starting right tackle job, Daniels was one of two transfers along with defensive end Beau Atkinson to lose his black stripe on Aug. 13. While Daniels didn’t lose his black stripe as quickly as some of Ohio State’s other winter transfer additions, the stripe loss speaks to the surge the Minnesota transfer is making in preseason camp as he pushes for a spot among Ohio State’s top five offensive linemen.

Beau Atkinson

The Rushmen just added a Menace in the trenches, Welcome to the Brotherhood @Beauatkinson9 pic.twitter.com/pRWHIsI2SI

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 13, 2025

Ohio State's premier defensive transfer is now "officially" a Buckeye. Atkinson arrives from North Carolina as a redshirt junior with proven production, collecting 7.5 sacks in 2025, and is working to establish himself as a force at defensive end in Columbus. He and Daniels are the fourth and fifth transfer portal acquisitions to shed their black stripes this offseason and the second and third to do so in preseason camp, joining former West Virginia running back CJ Donaldson.

Devin Sanchez

A five-star cornerback in the recruiting class of 2025, Sanchez is arguably the most highly touted freshman on the Buckeyes' roster. He was the fourth member of the class to have his black stripe removed, joining wide receiver Quincy Porter, linebacker Nate Roberts and tight end Riley Pettijohn.

CJ Donaldson

Lock Boyz adding a baller in the backfield, welcome @Sp3Cj pic.twitter.com/bthYluy3v5

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 6, 2025

A transfer from West Virginia, Donaldson is expected to split carries with James Peoples atop Ohio State's running back depth chart in 2025. The loss of his black stripe is the first step toward what he hopes will be a massive senior year.

Riley Pettijohn

The Linebacker unit just added a monster in the middle, welcome @r_pettijohn pic.twitter.com/mdxstXzwc9

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 5, 2025

The crown jewel of James Laurinaitis' 2025 linebacker haul, Pettijohn is making early deliveries on the promise of his top-50 composite recruiting ranking. He joins tight end Nate Roberts as the first two players to shed their black stripes in preseason camp, and the duo are the second and third freshmen to have their black stripe removed in 2025.

Nate Roberts

The Brotherhood just added some Juice and Versatility to the TE room, welcome @nateroberts2025 pic.twitter.com/nBsJMJUj6b

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 5, 2025

Roberts continues an impressive first offseason at Ohio State. After making four receptions for 41 yards in the Buckeyes' spring game, the four-star prospect earned his black stripe removal just five practices into preseason camp.