Ohio State Freshman Safety Leroy Roker Sheds Black Stripe

On Wednesday, Roker became the eighth freshman to shed his black stripe in 2024, following after wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, quarterback Julian Sayin, safety Jaylen McClain, defensive end Eddrick Houston, running back James Peoples, linebacker Payton Pierce and offensive lineman Ian Moore. He also became the first summer enrollee to add scarlet to his helmet.

BIA just added an ELITE ball hawk in the secondary, welcome @LeroyRoker10 pic.twitter.com/SNz0y5BFMi

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 21, 2024

Roker, whom Ohio State general manager Mark Pantoni compared to former Buckeye unanimous All-American Malik Hooker on social media Thursday, arrived in Columbus in June following four seasons at Bishop Verot High School in Fort Meyers, Florida. Roker was a three-star recruit and the No. 1,175 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the 247Sports composite.

Despite his low rank coming out of high school, Roker has impressed Ohio State's coaches in preseason camp as he competes with Keenan Nelson Jr., Jaylen McClain, Malik Hartford and Jayden Bonsu for a rotational spot behind Lathan Ransom and Caleb Downs.

"There's been a pool of guys who have done a really good job competing this camp," safeties coach Matt Guerrieri said Tuesday. "Just growing the depth of the safety position, I knew that was critical (when coming here). You've got these guys who are battle-tested at the top, but as the season goes you've got to have more than just a couple of guys. That's been a huge point of emphasis for us – putting them in different rotations in camp, putting a lot on their plate and holding them accountable. They've done a really good job of responding."