Transfer Offensive Linemen Vic Cutler, Jimmy Simmons Lose Black Stripes

The Buckeyes went into the transfer portal for a pair of offensive linemen this past offseason, and following practice on Thursday, both Victor Cutler and Josh “Jimmy” Simmons lost their black stripes and were officially welcomed into the brotherhood.

Every new Buckeye has a black stripe placed down the middle of their helmets, and in order to remove it, they have to play well in practice and show the kind of merits worthy of being a Buckeye. The removal indicates that a player has reached that point and they are then welcomed in as full-fledged Buckeyes.

Cutler is a transfer from Louisiana-Monroe who was brought in to compete for the open job at center. He was a starter last year at right tackle, but also had experience at center for the Warhawks. Cutler enrolled this winter and was working with the twos at center in the spring.

On Wednesday, head coach Ryan Day said that he and redshirt freshman Carson Hinzman were in an open competition to start at center this year for the Buckeyes. Day explained what it took for Cutler to get into the mix.

“I think a full offseason in our program,” he said. “I think he’s changed his body. I think he understands what we’re trying to do now, and the resources that we have here, so he’s a different looking body than he was in the spring.”

Simmons came to Ohio State from San Diego State, where he was the starting right tackle as a redshirt freshman last season. He transferred after spring ball, so he only finished up his seventh practice on Thursday.

Simmons opened practice last week as the No. 3 right tackle, and was expected to compete for that open starting position this fall. On Wednesday, Day said that the competition at both tackle spots is wide open now, which means that Simmons is also getting a look at left tackle for Ohio State.

The Buckeyes are looking to replace three departed starters, and now two of their four most-experienced players have officially been welcomed into the fold.

Black Stripe Tracker

OT Tegra Tshabola (redshirt freshman) – March 23
OT George Fitzpatrick (redshirt freshman) – March 23
CB Davison Igbinosun (sophomore transfer) – March 25
WR Carnell Tate – March 25
QB Tristan Gebbia (graduate) – April 1
OL Quinton Burke (senior walk-on) – April 1
TE Jelani Thurman – April 7
S Malik Hartford – April 7
RB Chase Brecht (sophomore walk-on) – April 7
QB Chad Ray (senior walk-on) – April 12
OL Vic Cutler (graduate) – August 10
OL Jimmy Simmons (redshirt sophomore) – August 10

Freshmen Still Waiting

QB Lincoln Kienholz | WR Noah Rogers | WR Bryson Rodgers | WR Brandon Inniss | OL Luke Montgomery | OT Miles Walker | OG Austin Siereveld | OC Josh Padilla | DE Joshua Mickens | DL Jason Moore | DT Will Smith, Jr. | DT Kayden McDonald | LB Arvell Reese | CB Jermaine Mathews, Jr. | CB Calvin Simpson-Hunt | SAF Cedrick Hawkins | SAF Jayden Bonsu

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