Safety Leroy Roker, Receiver Mylan Graham Latest Freshmen To Lose Black Stripes

Ohio State safety Leroy Roker and receiver Mylan Graham were the eighth and ninth Buckeye freshmen to have their black stripes removed. The duo had their black stripes removed following Wednesday’s practice.

Every Ohio State newcomer has a black stripe placed down the middle of their helmets when they arrive. When a player does enough in practice to earn his place on the team, the black stripe is removed, signifying his step forward to now being a full-fledged Buckeye.

Roker (6-1 170) came to Ohio State from Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, Florida where he was ranked the No. 155 safety in the nation by 247Sports and the No. 179 player in the state of Florida. Roker enrolled in June, meaning he lost his black stripe in his 17th practice as a Buckeye.

Graham (6-1 185) also enrolled in June and has earned some raves of late from head coach Ryan Day, which also included grading out as a champion following the first scrimmage of fall camp. Graham’s stripe removal comes one year to the day after fellow receiver Brandon Inniss lost his stripe as a June enrollee last year. Like Inniss, Graham was also a five-star recruit.

Last week, Ian Moore (6-6 309) became the first freshman on the offensive line to lose his black stripe.

There are now 13 true freshmen remaining who have yet to lose their black stripes.

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
LB Payton Pierce – August 13
OT Ian Moore – August 15
SAF Leroy Roker – August 21
WR Mylan Graham – August 21

Freshmen Still Waiting

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

*Enrolled in June