USC Transfer Linebacker Palaie Gaoteote Loses Black Stripe

After being cleared to play by the NCAA on Friday and making his Ohio State debut on Saturday, Palaie Gaoteote is now “officially” a Buckeye.

The USC transfer linebacker was one of three Buckeyes to have their black stripes removed after Tuesday's practice, along with freshman defensive tackle Tyleik Williams and defensive back Andre Turrentine.

Welcome to the Brotherhood, @PalaieGaoteote! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/atB32O7Ok6

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 15, 2021

In his first game as a Buckeye against Oregon on Saturday, which came less than 24 hours after the NCAA finally approved his waiver request for eligibility, Gaoteote played four snaps as a Sam linebacker in third-down situations. Now that his eligibility status has been cleared up, though, he'll likely have a chance to play a bigger role going forward on a defense that can use all the help it can get, though Day expects him to be used in a similar capacity as he was against the Ducks.

“It’s like you saw at the Sam linebacker spot, he’s a big body and a good matchup in terms of athleticism, speed and size in bigger sets,” Day said.

Gaoteote, who arrived at Ohio State in June, loses his black stripe one week after Ohio State's only other transfer addition this offseason, kicker Noah Ruggles, had his removed after making his Ohio State debut against Minnesota.