It’s always a good thing when Ohio State football players lose their black stripes, and even better when it’s freshmen who could contribute immediately.
Three more Ohio State football players have earned their stripes by losing one. Defensive end Tyreke Smith, running back Master Teague and tight end Jeremy Ruckert lost their black stripes yesterday and now are officially Buckeyes.
That’s good news for the team, not only because each of these players could provide depth in their unit this year but it makes nine true freshmen who have already lost their black stripes.
In a recent article by David Wertheim of Eleven Warriors, he provided a list of the players who have lost their black stripes so far this year if you want to check it out.
These players from the 2018 recruiting class are on the list.
- DT Tommy Togiai
- LB Dallas Gant
- LB Teradja Mitchell
- DL Taron Vincent
- RB Brian Snead
- WR Chris Olave
- DE Tyreke Smith
- RB Master Teague
- TE Jeremy Ruckert
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I am a bit surprised it took this long for Master Teague to lose his black stripe. He has impressed everyone since he arrived on campus in January and was outstanding in the spring game.
In any event, he and fellow freshman Brian Snead backing up J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber will give the Buckeyes one of the deepest and most talented RB units in the country.
Jeremy Ruckert was one of Urban Meyer’s prize recruits in the 2018 class. He was ranked the 2nd best tight end and the No. 37 overall player in the country according to the 247Sports Composite.
He is listed at 6 ft. 5, 240 pounds, a little light for a tight end, but has great hands. At the very least he will be used in passing situations this year. This kid is just too talented to sit.
Tyreke Smith was the No. 4 ranked defensive end in the 2018 class. Now that he will be in the hunt for a spot in the rotation it will make the DE unit even stronger.
The 2018 recruiting class was ranked No. 2 in the country, and now you can see why. Nine of the players have already lost their black stripes and can call themselves Buckeyes. I expect more will be able to do so soon.
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