Ohio State Freshman Wide Receiver Kyion Grayes Sheds Black Stripe

The new Ohio State wideout from Chandler, Arizona was the sixth member of the Buckeyes’ freshman class of 2022 to have his black stripe removed, “officially” becoming a Buckeye on Saturday.

newest member of #Zone6 @KyiongrayesII #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/efx2XCBEQl

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 20, 2022

He’s the second of Ohio State’s four freshman wide receivers and the second offensive freshman to lose his black stripe in preseason camp, joining Kaleb Brown, who had his black stripe peeled off on Wednesday.

Grayes, ranked as the No. 88 overall prospect and No. 14 wide receiver in the 2022 class, still might be a long shot to get on the field regularly as a freshman in a loaded wide receiver room that includes juniors Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Julian Fleming, second-years Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Jayden Ballard and fifth-year seniors Kamryn Babb and Xavier Johnson.

Losing his black stripe, however, indicates Ohio State is pleased with his early progress. And though he understands he may have to wait his turn to play a major role on the field, the freshman receiver – who drew comparisons to Chris Olave in his recruitment – said in February that he wanted to establish himself as a leader right away.

“That's one thing that I want to do,” Grayes said. “We push guys, make sure they do everything right. Make sure we're doing everything right, first off. And then just from there, we keep pushing them.”

By becoming one of the first eight players in his freshman class – Dallan Hayden and Kenyatta Jackson also lost their black stripes Saturday – to have his stripe removed, it appears Grayes is already making his presence felt.