It isn't often that a true freshman starts for a college football team. Especially a college football team that is the defending National Champion, like the Ohio State Buckeyes are this year.
However, with just weeks to go until the Buckeyes kick off their season opener against the Texas Longhorns, that is exactly what Ohio State fans should start to expect.
On Wednesday, Aug. 6, OSU linebackers coach James Laurinaitis shared that people should get ready to see a lot of Riley Pettijohn, a true freshman LB who joined the Buckeyes in January. Reportedly, Pettijohn had shed the black stripe on his helmet just a day earlier.
What does a black stripe on an Ohio State helmet mean?
Newcomers to the Ohio State football program wear a black stripe on their helmet because they are yet to prove their worthiness as a fully-fledged Buckeye. Pettijohn has already met those qualifications.
James Laurinaitis said he expects to see Ohio State freshman Riley Pettijohn on the field in some capacity against Texas, whether that's on defense or special teams. Pettijohn shed his black stripe on Tuesday.
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) August 6, 2025
The game between Texas and Ohio State will obviously be a rematch from the 2025 College Football Playoff semifinals, where the Buckeyes defeated the Longhorns to move on to the National Championship game.
It will also be a matchup between the top two teams in the country, according to the latest preseason Coaches Poll, with the Horns ranked No. 1 and the Buckeyes ranked No. 2 in the nation.
In other words, while it is "just" the first game of the season, it is a massive matchup for both programs as the winner will be primed to claim the top ranking throughout the remainder of the regular season (and until the two teams possibly meet again).
So, to see a freshman in the starting lineup would be quite an achievement for the young athlete. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, who rarely utilizes any underclassmen, has yet to comment on whether or not Pettijohn will play.
The Buckeyes and the Longhorns are scheduled to play at noon CT on Saturday, Aug. 30. ESPN's College GameDay will air from Columbus before kickoff. The game itself will be broadcast on FOX.