While speaking with the media on Monday, Urban Meyer mentioned that a couple more Buckeyes would be having their black stripes removed that evening. Tuesday morning, the Ohio State Football Twitter account released videos of cornerback Jeffrey Okudah and defensive tackle Haskell Garrett having their stripes removed.
⬛️ ? Congratulations to @TheJeffOkudah! Get that black stripe off!#GoBucks #BIA pic.twitter.com/nfrDEmerHj
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 15, 2017
⬛️ ? Welcome to the Buckeyes @HASKELL_808! Black stripe officially ?#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/e5HnMm7VY5
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 15, 2017
A week or so ago, Meyer said that Okudah was a little bit ahead of the rest of the freshmen cornerbacks, and that proved true on Monday. The Buckeyes are looking for a fourth cornerback to get into the mix among the top three of Damon Arnette, Denzel Ward, and Kendall Sheffield. Perhaps Okudah can be that guy.
Meyer has also said that Garrett is going to play this season, which is pretty rare for a true freshman defensive tackle. With the suspension of nose tackle Michael Hill for the first few games, the Buckeyes are going to need Garrett to help right out of the gate. So far, he appears up to the challenge.
Black Stripe Chart
Kendall Sheffield, CB — 3/28
Jeffrey Okudah, CB — 8/14
Haskell Garrett, DT — 8/14
So much talent.