Ohio State's 2024 recruiting class is down to two players with a black stripe still on their helmet.
Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Eric Mensah had his removed on Thursday, "officially" becoming a Buckeye in his second spring with the team after enrolling early last year.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 3, 2025
The Rushmen just added a stud up front to cause havoc on the offense, Welcome @EricMen85258722 pic.twitter.com/ohmancTiKZ
A three-star prospect in his class, Mensah was the No. 795 player and No. 90 defensive lineman in the 247Sports composite. His size made him an attractive option for Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson, however, as Mensah packs 290 pounds onto a 6-foot-3 frame.
Mensah saw seven snaps of action in his freshman year, all coming against the Buckeyes' three mid-major nonconference opponents.
Mensah is the third redshirt freshman to have his black stripe removed in the past five days, joining cornerback Miles Lockhart and defensive end Dominic Kirks. The only two players still with a black stripe from the 2024 class are wide receiver Damarion Witten and punter Nick McLarty. Mensah is the fifth total Buckeye to have his black stripe removed this spring.
| PLAYER | POS | YEAR | DATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| MILES LOCKHART | CB | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN | MARCH 29 |
| MAX KLARE | TE | JUNIOR | MARCH 31 |
| DOMINIC KIRKS | DE | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN | APRIL 1 |
| SIMON LORENTZ | OL | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN | APRIL 1 |
| ERIC MENSAH | DT | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN | APRIL 3 |
