Two of Ohio State's three early enrollee wide receivers have already shed their black stripes.
Emeka Egbuka – one of Ohio State's highest-ranked all-time signees, and its No. 2-ranked receiver in program history behind Julian Fleming and just ahead of Garrett Wilson – shed his black stripe following the Buckeyes' 13th practice of the spring on Tuesday.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 13, 2021
Welcome to Zone 6, @emeka_egbuka!#GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/p5x4NOwmPQ
“This is another one of those guys who comes in to get work in before the workout, and he stays late to get in extra work,” assistant strength and conditioning coach Chris Fenelon said while removing Egbuka's black stripe. “He has such a bright future for the Buckeyes.”
Egbuka becomes the Buckeyes' second freshman early enrollee in their receivers room to lose his black stripe this spring, following in the footsteps of Marvin Harrison Jr. He's one of five total freshmen who have already lost their black stripes this spring, also joining defensive end Jack Sawyer, running back TreVeyon Henderson and linebacker Reid Carrico.
In addition to Harrison and fellow early enrollee wideout Jayden Ballard, Egbuka is trying to work his way into the rotation of one of the most talented and deepest receiver rooms in the country. Egbuka, Harrison and Ballard are the youngest in a position group that returns likely future first-rounders Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson along with Fleming, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jameson Williams from last year's receiver rotation.
| Player | Pos | Date |
|---|---|---|
| JACOLBE COWAN | DL | APRIL 2 |
| MARVIN HARRISON JR. | WR | APRIL 6 |
| JACK SAWYER | DE | APRIL 6 |
| TREVEYON HENDERSON | RB | APRIL 10 |
| EMEKA EGBUKA | WR | APRIL 13 |
| REID CARRICO | LB | APRIL 13 |
