Freshman Defensive End Noah Potter Loses Black Stripe

Freshman defensive end Noah Potter is the latest Buckeye to have his black stripe removed and become an official member of the football team.

Ohio State Football’s official Twitter account sent out a video of the removal, which was done by “big brother” Jonathon Cooper following Thursday’s practice.

?▪️ He's always looking to improve. @noah_potter10 now has his stripe off‼️#GoBucks #ToughLove pic.twitter.com/cePjOpK2rM
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 15, 2019

Potter is the tenth member of the 2019 recruiting class to lose his black stripe.

An early enrollee, Potter is now nearly 30 practices into his Ohio State career. He came to Ohio State from Mentor where he was a 4-star prospect. Potter was a 2-time All-State selection at Mentor High School.

Upon arriving at OSU, the 6-foot-6 and 252-pound Potter found himself in a very deep and very young defensive line room. He is currently one of four defensive ends on the Ohio State roster with freshman eligibility.

Even before Potter wowed anybody on the field at Ohio State, he raised some eyebrows when he requested to wear the number 97.

That number has been worn by both Joey and Nick Bosa since 2013, which means that it comes with some responsibility.

Back in the spring, defensive line coach Larry Johnson was asked if he had talked to Potter yet about what the number meant.

“Not yet. We’re waiting,” he said at the time. “Sometimes I have flashbacks watching 97. Some different guys have been in that jersey number, so we’ll see how it goes. The guys who wear that jersey have been great football players. Really outstanding players. Noah’s just got to be himself. He can’t follow those guys. Those are special guys.”

So far, Potter has followed Johnson’s advice and just been himself. What that has been to this point is a player who goes all out even when he doesn’t necessarily know where he’s going. The effort is always there, and as OSU staffer Ryan Stamper says in the video, he is now starting to get into the backfield regularly.