Eleven Warriors · Dec 24, 2025
Tracking Ohio State’s 2025 Black Stripe Removals
Eli LeeOhio State's black stripe tradition is as strong as ever in 2025.
Implemented by Urban Meyer when he first took over as the Buckeyes' head coach in 2012, any new Ohio State players are given a black stripe to wear overtop the typically scarlet one on their helmets. This includes incoming freshmen, transfers and walk-ons.
The black stripe is not removed until that player proves he is willing to put in the work it takes to contribute to one of the nation's top programs and elevated himself enough in practice that coaches take notice. By the tradition, a player is not “officially” a Buckeye until his black stripe is removed.
