Luke Montgomery Becomes Fourth Member of Ohio State’s 2023 Freshman Class to Have Black Stripe Removed

Montgomery became the first freshman since the start of preseason camp to shed his stripe on Saturday, when he had his stripe removed following the Buckeyes’ first scrimmage of the month.

Newest member of the O-Line, welcome to the brotherhood, @lukeMonty8 pic.twitter.com/G3FkXKw2zQ

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 12, 2023

Despite being only a true freshman, Montgomery has been competing for a starting offensive tackle job this preseason. With an impressive first offseason at Ohio State, the four-star recruit from Findlay, Ohio, who has bulked up to 302 pounds since arriving in Columbus, has thrust himself into the battle for a starting spot with Josh Fryar, Jimmy Simmons and Tegra Tshabola.

“I think Luke Montgomery has a really bright future ahead of him,” Ryan Day said this week.

Ohio State director of player development C.J. Barnett offered more praise before removing Montgomery’s stripe on Saturday.

“He’s embraced the culture, he’s been a leader, he’s done literally everything right,” Barnett said in the video posted by Ohio State.

Montgomery practiced behind Fryar as the second-team right tackle during Friday’s practice that was open to the media.

Montgomery is the third offensive lineman to have his black stripe removed this week, joining Simmons and center Victor Cutler Jr., who both joined the Buckeyes this offseason as transfers. He was one of two Buckeyes to have his black stripe removed Saturday along with transfer defensive tackle Tywone Malone.