Both of Ohio State's freshman running backs are now "officially" Buckeyes.
Sam Williams-Dixon shed his black stripe on Wednesday, joining fellow freshman ballcarrier James Peoples and 13 other members from Ohio State's recruiting class of 2024 who have participated in the program's rite of passage.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 30, 2024
SWD brings toughness and will make you miss in the open, welcome to the Lock Boys, @SamuelDixon24 pic.twitter.com/BpoZdqUALB
A three-star prospect in the 247Sports composite, Williams-Dixon was the nation's No. 661 overall prospect and No. 48 athlete, though the plan from the beginning in Columbus was to play him at running back.
Williams-Dixon made some waves in the Buckeyes' spring game, picking up 78 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries as the leading rusher from the contest. He's played six offensive snaps in the regular season thus far, three each in Ohio State's blowout wins over Akron and Western Michigan at the start of the year. He's carried the ball four times for 44 yards.
The Pickerington, Ohio native is the 14th freshman and 25th player overall to have his black stripe removed this year. He is just the third Buckeye to shed it this October.
| Player | Pos | Date | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEREMIAH SMITH | WR | MARCH 21 | FRESHMAN |
| BRENNEN SCHRAMM | WR | MARCH 21 | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN |
| CALEB DOWNS | S | MARCH 26 | SOPHOMORE |
| QUINSHON JUDKINS | RB | MARCH 26 | JUNIOR |
| WILL HOWARD | QB | MARCH 30 | GRADUATE |
| SETH MCLAUGHLIN | OL | MARCH 30 | GRADUATE |
| WILL KACMAREK | TE | APRIL 5 | REDSHIRT JUNIOR |
| WILL SMITH JR. | DT | APRIL 5 | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN |
| JULIAN SAYIN | QB | APRIL 8 | FRESHMAN |
| JAYLEN MCCLAIN | S | AUGUST 7 | FRESHMAN |
| EDDRICK HOUSTON | DE | AUGUST 9 | FRESHMAN |
| JAMES PEOPLES | RB | AUGUST 9 | FRESHMAN |
| PAYTON PIERCE | LB | AUGUST 13 | FRESHMAN |
| IAN MOORE | OL | AUGUST 15 | FRESHMAN |
| LEROY ROKER | S | AUGUST 21 | FRESHMAN |
| MYLAN GRAHAM | WR | AUGUST 21 | FRESHMAN |
| AARON SCOTT JR. | CB | AUGUST 27 | FRESHMAN |
| NOLAN BAUDO | WR | AUGUST 27 | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN |
| JOE MCGUIRE | P | AUGUST 28 | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN |
| JOEY VELAZQUEZ | LB | SEPT. 4 | GRADUATE |
| AUSTIN SNYDER | K | SEPT. 24 | SENIOR |
| AIR NOLAND | QB | SEPT. 25 | FRESHMAN |
| MAX LEBLANC | TE | OCT. 17 | FRESHMAN |
| GABE VANSICKLE | OL | OCT. 23 | FRESHMAN |
| SAM WILLIAMS-DIXON | RB | OCT. 30 | FRESHMAN |
Members of Ohio State’s 2024 class who still have their black stripes are wide receiver Damarion Witten, offensive linemen Deontae and Devontae Armstrong, defensive linemen Dominic Kirks and Eric Mensah, linebacker Garrett Stover, cornerbacks Bryce West and Miles Lockhart and punter Nick McLarty.
