Ohio State added two more freshmen to the fold on Tuesday night, with cornerback Jordan Thomas and running back Legend Bey both having their black stripes removed after the Buckeyes’ 16th fall camp practice.
That’s the kind of checkpoint Ohio State uses to mark a player’s progress. The black-stripe tradition dates back to Urban Meyer’s arrival before the 2012 season, when he brought the custom over from Florida.
A stripe is placed on a player’s helmet when he gets to campus and stays there until the staff decides he has earned the right to be recognized as a Buckeye. Ryan Day kept the practice going after taking over before the 2019 season.
Thomas got the first callout from Scarlet and Gray director of player development C.J. Barnett, who told the team, "We've got a black stripe alert," and described him as "strong, physical and has lockdown coverage ability. The newest member of BIA, Jordan Thomas."
A four-star corner from Bergen Catholic in Oradell, New Jersey, Thomas was ranked No. 19 at his position, No. 175 overall and No. 2 in his home state.
In the video announcing the stripe removal, Thomas said, "Aye, first and foremost, I was to give all the glory to God, an excited Thomas said in the video announcing the removal of his black stripe. "I want to thank my family, my loved ones for constantly pushing me, believing in me and just giving me the opportunity to be here.
I want to thank BIA. I want to thank Zone 6 for making me better.
The whole team, the coaching staff. Everybody, I love y'all.
Aye man, go Bucks!"
Bey was next. Barnett introduced him with, "We've got another black stripe alert," and called him "a dynamic athlete that can score from anywhere on the field. The newest member of the Lockboys, Legend Bey."
Bey arrived in Columbus as a four-star prospect from North Forney High School in Forney, Texas. He was rated the No. 6 athlete, No. 151 overall and No. 21 in Texas.
Bey’s reaction in the video was simple and direct: "Aye, I want to say thank you to God," Bey said in the video. "Thank you to my teammates.
Thank you to coach Lock, coach Day, coach Mick for getting me better every day. Y'all believed in me.
I appreciate ya'll. Go Bucks!"
With the season set to begin in just over a week against Ball State, Ohio State is still working through fall camp with an eye on both ends of the roster - the established starters and the young players trying to force their way into the mix.
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