Eddrick Houston, James Peoples Latest Buckeye Freshmen To Lose Black Stripes

COLUMBUS — Ohio State freshman defensive end Eddrick Houston and freshman running back James Peoples lost their black stripes following practice No. 8 on Friday.

Ohio State signed Houston out of Buford High School in Buford, Georgia. As a senior, Houston posted 45 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks in 12 games. He finished with 64 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and 15 quarterback pressures as a sophomore.

Houston was a five-star prospect, ranked the No. 26 player in the 2024 recruiting class and the No. 7 defensive lineman overall per the 247Sports Composite. He signed with Ohio State over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, and every other major college football power.

Ohio State signed Peoples out of Veteran’s Memorial High School in San Antonio, Texas. Peoples had an injury-shortened senior year but as a junior he rushed for 1,904 yards and 28 touchdowns. He averaged over 10 yards per carry in each of the past two seasons.

Peoples (5-10 203) was ranked the No. 8 running back in the nation per the 247Sports Composite and the No. 115 player in the class overall. He signed with the Buckeyes over offers from Alabama, Texas, Oregon, Oklahoma, Penn State, USC, and many others.

Houston and Peoples are now the fourth and fifth members of the 2024 freshman class to lose their stripes, respectively. They join receiver Jeremiah Smith, quarterback Julian Sayin, and safety Jaylen McClain.

All newcomers into the football program have a black stripe placed down the middle of their helmets. The removal of the black stripe signifies that a player has done enough in practice to be considered a full-fledged member of the team.

Black Stripe Tracker

WR Jeremiah Smith – March 21
WR Brennen Schramm (rFr walk-on) – March 21
SAF Caleb Downs – March 26
RB Quinshon Judkins – March 26
QB Will Howard – March 30
OL Seth McLaughlin – March 30
TE Will Kacmarek – April 5
DT Will Smith, Jr. – April 5
QB Julian Sayin – April 8
SAF Jaylen McClain – August 7
DE Eddrick Houston – August 9
RB James Peoples – August 9

Freshmen Still Waiting

QB Air Noland | RB Sam Williams-Dixon | WR Mylan Graham* | TE Max LeBlanc* | TE Damarion Witten* | OL Ian Moore | OL Deonte Armstrong | OL Devontae Armstrong | OL Gabe VanSickel* | | DL Dominic Kirks* | DT Eric Mensah | LB Payton Pierce | LB Garrett Stover | CB Aaron Scott | CB Bryce West | CB Miles Lockhart | SAF Leroy Roker*

*Enrolled in June

Go to discussion...