Two more true freshmen "officially" became members of the Ohio State football team at practice on Wednesday, when wide receiver L'Christian "Blue" Smith and cornerback Xavier Johnson had their black stripes removed.
Officially welcome to #Zone6 @bluesm1th Get that black stripe off!#GoBucks #WinTheMoment pic.twitter.com/b3Vr0vzWQ6
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 4, 2018
This guy has been BIG TIME at practice and beyond this year! Get that black stripe off @J5Xavier #GoBucks #WinTheMoment pic.twitter.com/oZd7uiSood
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 4, 2018
Smith, a four-star recruit out of Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio, becomes the 20th of 25 scholarship players in the Buckeyes' 2018 recruiting class to shed his black stripe. He has appeared in one game this season, playing four snaps against Tulane, but looks to be a likely candidate for a redshirt – though the removal of his black stripe signifies that he could be ready for a bit more playing time.
Today Its official thank my big bros @YoungKing_JD5 @Austin_Mack10 @BinjimenVictor @KayJayHill for having my back thru the process... its a blessing being apart of the best unit in the country..!
— Blue (@bluesm1th) October 3, 2018
Johnson, a walk-on who was rated as a three-star recruit out of Summit Country Day School in Cincinnati and actually turned down scholarship offers from several smaller Football Bowl Subdivision schools to become a Buckeye, has not yet appeared in a game but was praised by Ohio State director of player development Ryan Stamper in his black stripe video for how he has performed in practice.
| NAME | POSITION | YEAR | DATE OF REMOVAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| AARON COX | DL | SO | MARCH 30 |
| DE'SHAWN WHITE | WR | SO | MARCH 30 |
| TOMMY TOGIAI | DL | FR | APRIL 11 |
| DALLAS GANT | LB | FR | AUG. 8 |
| TERADJA MITCHELL | LB | FR | AUG. 9 |
| TATE DUARTE | TE | SR | AUG. 9 |
| TARON VINCENT | DT | FR | AUG. 11 |
| BRIAN SNEAD | RB | FR | AUG. 11 |
| KORY CURTIS | QB | SO | AUG. 11 |
| CHRIS OLAVE | WR | FR | AUG. 13 |
| AMARI MCMAHON | RB | JR | AUG. 15 |
| TYREKE SMITH | DE | FR | AUG. 18 |
| MASTER TEAGUE | RB | FR | AUG. 18 |
| JEREMY RUCKERT | TE | FR | AUG. 18 |
| TYREKE JOHNSON | CB | FR | AUG. 20 |
| TYLER FRIDAY | DE | FR | AUG. 27 |
| SEVYN BANKS | CB | FR | AUG. 27 |
| JAVONTAE JEAN-BAPTISTE | DE | FR | AUG. 27 |
| K'VAUGHAN POPE | LB | FR | AUG. 29 |
| CAMERON BROWN | CB | FR | AUG. 29 |
| JOSH PROCTOR | S | FR | SEPT. 5 |
| JAELEN GILL | H-B | FR | SEPT. 5 |
| SAM WIGLUSZ | WR | FR | SEPT. 5 |
| NICHOLAS PETIT-FRERE | OT | FR | SEPT. 18 |
| JACK JAMIESON | OL | FR | SEPT. 18 |
| MATT JONES | OL | FR | SEPT. 25 |
| L'CHRISTIAN "BLUE" SMITH | WR | FR | OCT. 3 |
| XAVIER JOHNSON | CB | FR | OCT. 3 |
