Payton Pierce Becomes Sixth Ohio State Freshman to Shed Black Stripe in 2024

Freshman linebacker Payton Pierce shed his black stripe on Tuesday, becoming the sixth freshman from Ohio State's 2024 class to earn the prestigious honor. He joins Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin, Jaylen McClain, James Peoples and Eddrick Houston as freshmen who have shed their stripe.

Welcome the Hard hitting Texas Native @payton_pierce26 to the Brotherhood pic.twitter.com/hbhQdEv3Vx

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 13, 2024

Despite being hampered by an injury in spring practice, Pierce has impressed OSU coaches in fall camp, especially linebackers coach James Laurinaitis. Pierce has primarily practiced at Will linebacker, but Laurinaitis said the freshman standout is comfortable playing multiple positions.

"I think a guy who can handle multiple positions mentally is Payton Pierce," Laurinaitis said of Pierce last week. "I think Payton has done a nice job being at Will but he also understands conceptually kind of the defense. He's not behind at all (after the injury). The thing you notice from Payton day one is that he was going to come downhill and he's very natural in the box. He has an understanding for blocking schemes and how to fall back on certain gaps and just a very natural, smart football player and tough."

Pierce was a four-star prospect in high school and was considered the No. 204 prospect and the No. 15 linebacker in the 2024 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.