Kayden McDonald Becomes First Summer Enrollee in Ohio State’s 2023 Freshman Class to Have His Black Stripe Removed

The freshman defensive tackle “officially” joined the ranks of the Rushmen after his 14th practice as a Buckeye on Saturday.

Welcome the newest member of the Rushmen, @KMac_DT pic.twitter.com/qjchXpzNIz

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 19, 2023

McDonald, a four-star defensive tackle from Georgia ranked as the No. 261 overall prospect in the 2023 class, has made an immediate impression with his playmaking ability in his first preseason camp at Ohio State.

“All I know is when you press play on the video, he keeps making plays,” director of player development C.J. Barnett said in the video announcing McDonald’s stripe removal.

McDonald is the first of this year’s freshman defensive linemen to have his black stripe removed. He’s the second overall defensive tackle to lose his black stripe in preseason camp after enrolling this summer, joining Ole Miss transfer Tywone Malone.

He was one of two freshmen to lose their black stripes on Saturday as wide receiver Noah Rogers, a spring enrollee, also had his stripe removed after the Buckeyes’ second scrimmage. Together, they became the seventh and eighth members of Ohio State’s 2023 freshman class to shed their black stripes, joining wide receivers Carnell Tate and Bryson Rodgers, tight end Jelani Thurman, safety Malik Hartford, offensive tackle Luke Montgomery and cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr., who were all midyear enrollees.