Freshman quarterback Matthew Baldwin and freshman defensive end Alex Williams are officially Buckeyes as both had their Black Stripes removed following practice early Wednesday evening.
Both players have dealt with injuries this year, which is part of the reason why their stripe removal is taking place so late in the season.
Baldwin is an early enrollee from Austin, Texas who arrived at Ohio State already rehabbing from an ACL tear at the end of his senior season of high school football. He was able to participate in spring ball, but not fully.
Back in the summer, receiver Parris Campbell said Baldwin will eventually be an elite quarterback at Ohio State.
A few weeks ago, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ryan Day said Baldwin was on the verge of being 100% ready and could start seeing some time this season. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, they have not been in a situation that has allowed them to even play Tate Martell, let alone Baldwin.
Thanks to the new redshirt rule this season, Baldwin can play in up to four games this season and not lose a season of eligibility. Buckeye fans should get to see him at some point this season. For now, you can see him having his Black Stripe removed.
In the video, Baldwin thanks the coaches, including “Stew,” who is Adam Stewart, OSU’s head physical therapist. Stewart is involved in getting every Buckeye back on the field when they suffer setbacks.
?⬛️ There’s officially a new signal-caller in the QB room! Congrats on losing that black stripe @matthewb_12 ‼️#GoBucks #WinTheMoment pic.twitter.com/8t1Fc99RdG
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 18, 2018
Alex Williams came to Ohio State all the way from Pickerington North High School, which is 30 minutes east of Ohio Stadium.
Williams was originally committed to West Virginia, but received an Ohio State offer later in the recruiting process and signed with the Buckeyes during the early signing period in December.
Williams was injured early in the season, but is now back and providing help on the Ohio State scout team. As long as the Buckeyes don’t lose any more defensive ends this season, Williams is expected to redshirt.
Below, Williams thanks his parents for giving him the proper direction growing up.
?⬛️ Welcome to the #Rushmen @Williams_R2X ‼️#GoBucks #WinTheMoment pic.twitter.com/Y8FXerIqJ3
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 18, 2018
There are three scholarship members of the 2018 recruiting class still holding onto their black stripes.
They are WR Kamryn Babb (inj.), DT Antwuan Jackson*, and OT Max Wray*.
* signifies early enrollee
Black Stripe Chart
March 30 – DL Aaron Cox (walk-on)
March 30 – WR De’Shawn White (walk-on)
April 11 – DT Tommy Togiai
August 8 – LB Dallas Gant
August 9 – TE Tate Duarte (walk-on)
August 9 – LB Teradja Mitchell
August 11 – RB Brian Snead
August 11 – QB Kory Curtis (walk-on)
August 11 – DT Taron Vincent
August 13 – WR Chris Olave
August 15 – RB Amari McMahon (walk-on)
August 18 – DE Tyreke Smith
August 18 – RB Master Teague
August 18 – TE Jeremy Ruckert
August 20 – CB Tyreke Johnson
August 27 – DE Tyler Friday
August 27 – CB Sevyn Banks
August 27 – DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste
August 29 – LB K’Vaughan Pope
August 29 – CB Cameron Brown
September 5 – S Josh Proctor
September 5 – WR Jaelen Gill
September 5 – WR Sam Wiglusz
September 18 – OL Nicholas Petit-Frere
September 18 – OL Jack Jamieson (walk-on)
September 25 – OL Matthew Jones
October 2 – WR L’Christian “Blue” Smith
October 2 – WR Xavier Johnson (walk-on)
October 10 – SAF Marcus Hooker
October 17 – QB Matthew Baldwin
October 17 – DE Alex Williams
