Ohio State Quarterback Air Noland Becomes the 11th Freshman to Shed Black Stripe in 2024

On Wednesday, Noland became the 11th Ohio State freshman to shed his black stripe in 2024. The quarterback followed Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin, Jaylen McClain, Eddrick Houston, James Peoples, Payton Pierce, Ian Moore, Leroy Roker, Mylan Graham and Aaron Scott Jr. in receiving the recognition.

Noland is also the second Buckeye to add scarlet to his helmet this week, joining kicker Austin Snyder, who made two extra points and took three kickoffs in Ohio State's win over Marshall on Saturday.

The Lefty who gets it done anytime, anywhere, welcome to the brotherhood, @AirNoland_ pic.twitter.com/7xSxk1IHCU

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 25, 2024

The No. 56 overall prospect in 2024, Noland was part of a two-quarterback class for Ohio State along with Julian Sayin, the No. 20 overall prospect. That only became a reality when Sayin entered the transfer portal in January after briefly enrolling at Alabama, opening up an opportunity to get the top-ranked quarterback that the Buckeyes couldn’t pass up.

Like Sayin, Noland spent the offseason developing behind Will Howard, Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz. On Aug. 6, Noland said he understood that climbing the depth chart at Ohio State would be a process. As such, he's kept his focus on long-term development rather than worrying about his spot in the pecking order.

“It can be challenging, but you have to keep the main thing the main thing and stay focused with the plan, with the process, with everything that's going on,” Noland said. “It's a process out here. Development is a big thing with us, so I have to learn and take my time and the process, everything will equal out."

Seven weeks later, Noland took a step forward in the process, shedding his black stripe after almost 10 months on Ohio State's campus.