Ohio State Freshman Receiver Jayden Ballard Sheds Black Stripe

After Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka both had their black stripes removed in the spring, Jayden Ballard became the 14th member of Ohio State's freshman class of 2021 to shed his black stripe on Tuesday.

Welcome to #Zone6, @J_Ball21!#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/lWK1pmivTZ

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 8, 2021

“He's getting better every day, making plays in practice, doesn't complain, just puts his hard hat and works every day,” Ohio State assistant strength and conditioning coach Chris Fenelon said while removing Ballard's black stripe.

Ranked as the No. 99 overall prospect and No. 15 wide receiver in the recruiting class of 2021, Ballard did not play in Ohio State's season opener at Minnesota and is not currently in the two-deep at the position, but has drawn praise from Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline for his development throughout the offseason. Like Egbuka and Harrison, Ballard was an early enrollee who participated in spring practices.

“They’ve all continued to grow,” Hartline said in August. “We just talked about recruits last year missing out on spring ball and that precious development, and again, all three of them – Jayden, Emeka and Marvin – are glaring examples of how much time you can make up through spring and through the summer.”