Ohio State's black stripe tradition is as strong as ever in 2025.
Implemented by Urban Meyer when he first took over as the Buckeyes' head coach in 2012, any new Ohio State players are given a black stripe to wear overtop the typically scarlet one on their helmets. This includes incoming freshmen, transfers and walk-ons.
The black stripe is not removed until that player proves he is willing to put in the work it takes to contribute to one of the nation's top programs and elevated himself enough in practice that coaches take notice. By the tradition, a player is not “officially” a Buckeye until his black stripe is removed.
After redshirt freshmen Miles Lockhart, Dominic Kirks, Simon Lorentz and Eric Mensah, transfers Max Klare and Ethan Onianwa and freshman Quincy Porter got their black stripes removed in the spring, we're here to track all of the Buckeyes who shed theirs this fall.
Black Stripe Removals
Aug. 13, 2025
Phillip Daniels
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 13, 2025
The Trenches is where he thrives, O-Line is adding a difference maker to the Brotherhood in @PhilDaniels77 pic.twitter.com/zBGe1TMRS0
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.
Aug. 13, 2025
Beau Atkinson
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 13, 2025
The Rushmen just added a Menace in the trenches, Welcome to the Brotherhood @Beauatkinson9 pic.twitter.com/pRWHIsI2SI
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.
Aug. 6, 2025
Devin Sanchez
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 6, 2025
The next generation of BIA is here Welcome to the Brotherhood @Devin2416 pic.twitter.com/jhOOnCxCp7
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.
Aug. 6, 2025
CJ Donaldson
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 6, 2025
Lock Boyz adding a baller in the backfield, welcome @Sp3Cj pic.twitter.com/bthYluy3v5
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.
Aug. 5, 2025
Riley Pettijohn
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 5, 2025
The Linebacker unit just added a monster in the middle, welcome @r_pettijohn pic.twitter.com/mdxstXzwc9
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.
Aug. 5, 2025
Nate Roberts
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 5, 2025
The Brotherhood just added some Juice and Versatility to the TE room, welcome @nateroberts2025 pic.twitter.com/nBsJMJUj6b
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.
| PLAYER | POS | YEAR | DATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| MILES LOCKHART | CB | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN | MARCH 29 |
| MAX KLARE | TE | JUNIOR | MARCH 31 |
| DOMINIC KIRKS | DE | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN | APRIL 1 |
| SIMON LORENTZ | OL | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN | APRIL 1 |
| ERIC MENSAH | DT | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN | APRIL 3 |
| QUINCY PORTER | WR | FRESHMAN | APRIL 5 |
| ETHAN ONIANWA | OT | REDSHIRT SENIOR | APRIL 8 |
| RILEY PETTIJOHN | LB | FRESHMAN | AUG. 5 |
| NATE ROBERTS | TE | FRESHMAN | AUG. 5 |
| CJ DONALDSON | RB | SENIOR | AUG. 6 |
| DEVIN SANCHEZ | CB | FRESHMAN | AUG. 6 |
| BEAU ATKINSON | DE | REDSHIRT JUNIOR | AUG. 13 |
| PHILLIP DANIELS | OT | REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE | AUG. 13 |
Be sure to check out our Black Stripe Tradition page linked below to see the history of black stripe removals from 2012, when the tradition started, all the way through today.
