Ohio State football team has two more players lose black stripes in record time
By Ryan Stano
The Ohio State football program recognizes new players when they lose the black stripe on their helmet. That means that they have officially become a Buckeye. It's a tradition that has been going on for quite a while now and it's something the players love. It's a great motivational tactic.
We told you about how quickly Jeremiah Smith lost his black stripe. The freshman lost it in record time: just four practices into Spring. That tells you how much of a dog he is. Another new Buckeye has now shed his black stripe in a very fast amount of time.
That player is Caleb Downs. The safety transferred in from Alabama after he was a Freshman All-American, so it was only a matter of time before he got his stripe removed. He is one of the best players on this defense already and will be a starter in the Fall.
Downs had over 100 tackles while playing for the Crimson Tide. His arrival gives the secondary a lot more talent than they had before. It is probably the best secondary in the country. They already were the best pass defense in the country a year ago. Downs will only make that better.
Downs loses his stripe just six practices into Spring. Transfers do typically lose their stripe faster than incoming freshmen just because they have playing experience, but that's still pretty fast. He shed it before the Spring Game, which is pretty impressive.
He wasn't the only transfer Buckeye to shed his black stripe. Quinshion Judkins, the transfer running back from Ole Miss, has also lost his stripe. Judkins comes in as another stud running back the Buckeyes can use when they need to spell TreVeyon Henderson.
As far as Downs' development goes, he should thrive in Jim Knowles' system. He will be able to fly all over the field and make plays. Quite honestly, he's one of the players I'm most interested in seeing this year. He was fun to watch while he was with Alabama too.
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The Ohio State football team is making sure these guys get individual work in to make them better for the Fall. Expect at least a couple more guys to lose their stripe this Spring.