Ohio State TE Jelani Thurman Headlines Trio of Buckeyes To Lose Black Stripe
Ohio State is a week from its spring game and three more players lost their Black Stripe, signifying they officially earned their spots as Buckeyes.
Freshmen tight end Jelani Thurman and safety Malik Hartford, as well as sophomore running back Chase Brecht all tore the black stripe off their helmets after Friday's practice becoming the seventh, eighth and ninth to do so since the start of spring ball March 7.
Coach Ryan Day said Friday that Thurman's been "working hard" in practice, which led to him losing his Black Stripe.
"He's out here every day shows toughness, kind of got banged up a little bit, but continues to practice," Day said. "Has a very high ceiling."
Hartford is a four-star recruit, enrolling early in the high school class of 2023 as the 11th-best safety in the country.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has said the Buckeyes have a "safety-driven defense," as the depth at the position led by Josh Proctor, Lathan Ransom, Sonny Styles and Ja'Had Carter will likely limit Hartford's playing time his freshman season.
"First off I want to thank God. I want to thank my family," Hartford said after losing his Black Stripe. "Appreciate all you guys, appreciate [Best In America]. Shout out coach [Mickey Marotti] and the strength staff and the nutrition staff for getting me right. Go Bucks."
Like Hartford, Brecht is also at the mercy of the running back room's depth. He's fifth on the depth chart this spring as Evan Pryor works back from a torn ACL that he suffered in August 2022, but showed flashes in Friday's practice between the tackles as well as catching passes out of the backfield.
The six other Buckeyes who have already had their Black Stripe removed are offensive linemen Tegra Tshabola, George Fitzpatrick and Quinton Burke, receiver Carnell Tate, cornerback Davison Igbinosun and quarterback Tristan Gebbia.
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