According to Ohio State’s Instagram page, Toledo freshman linebacker Dallas Gant has become the second Buckeye freshman to have his black stripe removed.
Gant joins Idaho defensive tackle Tommy Togiai, who lost his black stripe back in the spring.
During the spring, any OSU coach who was asked about Gant spoke of his maturity and his hard-working nature.
“I think Dallas is such a mature young man,” linebackers coach Bill Davis said after spring football. “He really is mature. He’s very businesslike and he did everything, he went about it right.
“Now, he made the freshman mistakes that you’re going to make. But he’s such a mature young man and it means so much to him. He had a lot of growth and he’ll benefit from that down the road. We’ll benefit from that down the road.”
Gant, who was an early enrollee, had his black stripe removed after the fifth practice of fall camp.
Even prior to this latest development, he was seen as one of the freshmen who could make an impact on special teams this season. His versatility on defense could also provide a boost to the Buckeyes there as well.
Gant came in with fellow linebackers K’Vaughan Pope and Teradja Mitchell and was expected to be ahead of both in fall camp. While they are in the process of catching up, it is clear that Gant has no intentions of slowing down.
“There’s nothing like experience, and you just got that experience out of the way that the two others coming in don’t have,” Davis said. “He’s already a little bit ahead because he’s had the experience of what it’s like to go to class and play football.
“I think that’s the biggest challenge for these young kids coming in. They’ve got to learn to balance their time and energy, and that’s hard. That’s learned, and I think Dallas is ahead of them.”
Gant’s “big brother” Dante Booker did the honors of removing Gant’s stripe.
⬛️? #LBU got a new Buckeye in the room‼️ @Dallas_Gant got his black stripe off‼️
#GoBucks #WinTheMoment pic.twitter.com/uVwIP7LHCz
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 8, 2018
A lot of really good athletes have come out of that city league. Dane Sanzenbacher from Toledo Central, Fred Davis from Rogers instantly come to mind, The REALLY good however don’t go to USC (winks at Freddie).
Gant came from Toledo St. John’s High School in Toledo. That is where Jack Mewhort came from too. It is a good school and Gant will have no problems in the classroom.
He’s got all the tools and the right mindset with actions to be one of the best players on the roster.
And just like that, Ohio State football continues with Meyer traditions, as if Meyer were actually there. This is a testament to the culture that is in place and to the fact that business is continuing as usual. It’s good to see!